Bushtops and the Magic of Mara’s Isaaten Conservancy

Tourism as a Force for Good

Bushtops has worked closely with local Maasai herders since 2007 to preserve this pristine environment and uplift the surrounding communities, through various projects, but primarily by paying monthly rent to over three hundred local Maasai landowners. This gives the locals a real sense of pride and ownership, who are genuinely invested in the future of the reserve as a wildlife haven.

Isaaten: The Mara Bushtops Conservancy

The Mara Bushtops Conservancy is a testament to successful conservation efforts, creating a thriving ecosystem for its diverse array of wildlife who call it home. Our guests can expect to enjoy spotting an impressive variety of animals within the Conservancy, including:

Herds of elephants gracefully roaming its plains
Predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas on their nightly hunts
A rich variety of antelopes, gazelles, giraffes and zebras
Over 450 bird species

One of Isaaten’s best kept secrets is its natural salt lick, which is overlooked by Mara Bushtops’ spa, main deck and some of the suites. This mineral-rich area attracts a constant parade of wildlife, from gazelles and warthogs to elephants and even the occasional leopard or lion.

Safari Sublime: Private Conservancy meets National Park

Bushtops offers the best of both worlds – easy access into the iconic Masai Mara National Park which is on most people’s travel bucket lists, but with all the added benefits of being based in a private conservancy, with a wide range of activities on site that would otherwise be impossible. These include:

Night drives: our guests can embark on thrilling nocturnal safaris to observe rarely seen nocturnal wildlife like leopards. We also have an infra-red heat-seeking ‘flir’ camera on our night drives so that you can see far more than a normal spotlight can show.
Off-road game drives: The private nature of our conservancy allows for far more intimate wildlife encounters, as our game drive vehicles are allowed to follow that elusive leopard right into the bush, and can, in most cases, be the only vehicle at a sighting. In today’s world where overtourism is a problem in some areas of the big parks, this exclusivity of having no other non-Bushtops vehicles in our reserve is worth its weight in gold! No “queue to view” is surely the ultimate luxury!
Walking safaris: Guided walks direct from Camp with our Maasai guides provide a unique perspective on the indigenous fauna and flora, local folklore, uses of medicinal plants – and the smaller things that often get missed from a vehicle.
Flexibility: We have no park closing times to adhere to on our private conservancy – so we can enjoy sundowner sunsets in the heart of the bush, or at any one of our scenic spots such as on top of Sekenani hill.
Cultural immersion and impact: A visit to our ancient Kakiya cave is not to be missed, a sacred place for Mau Mau and Maasai tribes of the past. Guests can also visit a local Maasai manyatta (village) and see the impact enjoyed by the 800 children at the Nkoilale School, where we oversee the sponsorship of many boarders. Mara Bushtops, as well as many of our guests, fund this school which educates children from pre-school to age 14, offering young Maasai girls an alternative to early marriage and motherhood. A guest sponsored feeding programme ensures that over 700 day pupils go home with nutritious food in their tummies each day.

Wild Luxury Under Canvas

Mara Bushtops epitomizes luxury in the wilderness with 15 spacious and lavishly appointed tents, each with a private deck overlooking the reserve. Two of these cater specially to families.
Other facilities that ensure Bushtops offers a next-level experience include:

Our multiple award winning Amani Spa and constellation-inspired infinity pool for relaxation after exciting game drives. Voted “Best safari spa in Africa’ five years in a row at The World Luxury Spa Awards.
Gourmet dining experiences, including bush breakfasts and dinners under the stars. Unlike most other safari lodges where there are set meals times and a limited choice on the menu, Bushtops prides itself on offering an impressive la carte menu despite its remote location and you can eat whenever and wherever suits you, selecting from vegetarian, vegan and local “Tastes of our Home” cuisine menus. All dietary needs can be catered for.
Personal butlers offer 24-hour service to the suites -and there is a well-stocked cellar for those who enjoy fine wines.

Conservation and Community

The Mara Bushtops Conservancy is not just about raising the bar for luxury safaris; it’s also committed to conservation and community development. By working closely with local Maasai communities, the conservancy ensures that tourism benefits both wildlife and people. This model of sustainable tourism helps to preserve the delicate balance between human needs and wildlife conservation.

When to Visit the Masai Mara?

While the Mara Bushtops Conservancy offers year-round wildlife viewing, the best time to visit depends on your interests:
July to October: Witness the spectacular wildebeest migration. What a spectacle of nature to behold as over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelope take an 800km journey in search of pastures new, dodging river crocodiles and land predators as they cross from the Serengeti into the Mara, then back again.
November to June: Enjoy lush landscapes, rich wildlife and far fewer crowds. The green season is for many “in the know” their favourite time to visit.

Your Luxury Kenyan Safari

The Mara Bushtops Conservancy provides a sanctuary where luxury meets wilderness, offering an unforgettable safari experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Whether you’re watching a herd of elephants at the salt lick from the comfort of your private deck or embarking on a thrilling night drive, this hidden gem in the Masai Mara promises memories that will last a lifetime. For a tiny taster of what you might spot from our beautiful camp on your next safari holiday, please visit out live webcam. In addition to all the wildlife (you can scroll back 12 hours to see what you missed), you can also join every day at 6:30 PM Kenya time (GMT+3) for a sundowner as the local Maasai light a fire, and experience the magic of the Mara as the sun sets. Start planning your next adventure!

All images by Oliver Fly Photography