There are places that take your breath away, and then there are places that change you. Ishara was both. I had been dreaming of going on safari with my husband for a long time. Even before I knew him it was planted in my heart that one day, I would go on an incredible bush adventure with the one I love.
When we first began planning our honeymoon, we were overwhelmed by the number of safari lodges to choose from. But something kept drawing us to Ishara. Fittingly, the word Ishara means “signs” and looking back, it feels like every little sign led us to exactly where we were meant to be.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed not as guests, but as family. The staff greeted us with warmth that felt almost impossible to describe—like coming home to a place we’d never been before. Every detail, from the handwritten notes to the way our favourite drinks seemed to appear right when we wanted them, spoke to a level of care that can only come from the heart, turning a luxurious stay into something deeply personal.
Perched along a riverbank alive with wildlife and designed in a way that sparks awe with every step, Ishara is unlike any other. From the treetop paths that awaken your inner child to the sumptuous, oversized rooms that we absolutely loved, every detail of the camp blends luxury and nature seamlessly.
Each morning, we woke to golden light spilling over the Mara, the distant sounds of wildlife reminding us how beautifully alive the world is. Days were spent watching elephants wander past as we sipped coffee, and evenings under a sky painted with more stars than we’d ever seen.
Every moment felt intentional and cinematic, like time had slowed down just for us. It’s hard to describe to someone something that is so extraordinary, I feel words will never do it justice. It’s truly something you must experience yourself to really understand the magic and wonder.
Game drives were exhilarating, never knowing exactly what we were going to encounter. On our first night we witnessed six lionesses with what looked like at least ten cubs nursing, playing, and eating bits of a recent kill. It was straight out of ‘The Lion King‘.
Something I particularly loved were the curated experiences Ishara offers. Having a beautiful breakfast set up for us in the bush after our morning drive was so special. “Two of my favourite experiences were capturing the spirit of the animals through the lens and falling asleep in the star bed, surrounded by the sounds of nature and a starry sky that felt endless,” Matt reminisces.
As our stay came to an end, we both knew this wasn’t goodbye. Ishara isn’t just a destination, it’s a feeling. And one day, we can’t wait to bring our kids back to experience that same magic and to show them the place where our love felt even deeper, more rooted, and more alive than ever.
Photo credits: Eric Averdung, Brooke Coleman Ruggetti, Nikita Rix, Joseph Njenga