Ishara unveils reimagined “Aya Spa” in Kenya’s Masai Mara following major wellness expansion

NAIROBI, KENYA – Ishara, the acclaimed safari retreat in Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, has officially unveiled its reimagined Aya Spa, part of an expansive wellness progression that blends the healing energy of the African wilderness with world-class design and holistic therapies. The relaunch follows a nine-month transformation and introduces a suite of elevated offerings, including signature treatments, a Nordic-inspired thermal spa, a heated pool, an expanded gym, and a curated multi-day wellness journey.

Reopened in February 2025, Aya Spa serves as the soul of Ishara’s deepened commitment to well-being, bringing together locally sourced natural ingredients with a variety of immersive experiences across two secluded sanctuaries perched amidst the forest canopy.

The Aya Spa: A Forest Sanctuary Suspended in Stillness

The centerpiece of Ishara’s wellness vision is Aya Spa, named for a word meaning “miracle” or “beautiful” in various languages. Elevated walkways through the forest lead to two spa sanctuaries, soothing treatment rooms each overlooking the expansive plains, where wildlife drifts past in quiet rhythm. Each space is dedicated to tactile, sensory therapies for individuals or couples – organic soaks, exfoliations and bespoke bodywork, or restorative water-based treatments including body wraps and Vichy shower hydrotherapy inspired by the rhythm of falling rain.

Rooted in the restorative power of nature, Aya is a place of both ceremony and simplicity.

Signature treatments include:

• The Purifying Clay Experience (145 min): A four-part ritual featuring a full-body baobab and tea tree exfoliation, Rhassoul mud mask wrap, Vichy hydro shower, and grounding massage.
• The Chai Indulgence (120 min): A black tea-infused full-body scrub, aromatic tea and rose petal soak, and uplifting oil massage designed to soothe inflammation, deeply hydrate the skin and calm the nervous system.
• The White River Treatment (120 min): A full-body coconut and sugar scrub exfoliation, followed by a coconut milk bath and harmonizing massage with frankincense- and bergamot-infused Moringa oil.

The broader menu includes body rituals such as the Coffee Bliss and Pink Salt Body Scrub, as well as massages inspired by the Mara’s fauna: The Elephant’s Touch (deep-tissue), The Ostrich’s Balance (lymphatic and flowing), and The Giraffe’s Neck, an aromatherapy massage that rejuvenates and restores balance.

The Nordic Spa: Elemental Rejuvenation in the Wild

Ishara’s Nordic Spa

Complementing Aya is the new Nordic Spa, a dramatic contrast of fire and ice set against the sweeping vistas of the Posee Plains. Here, dry heat from the elevated sauna, the reinvigorating chill of a cold plunge, and the comfort of a hot tub creates a powerful cycle of renewal. These ancient techniques are known to enhance circulation, reduce inflammation, and support immune function–delivered in one of the continent’s most remarkable settings.

The ‘Wellness Elixir’: A Signature Three-Night Journey

For those seeking a deeper immersion, The Wellness Elixir is a curated three-night itinerary combining Ishara’s most restorative offerings, designed to harmonize the mind, body, and soul:

• Accommodation in a River Suite
• Private game drives and time immersed in nature
• A signature spa treatment
• Use of the heated pool, gym, and Nordic spa
• Complimentary Canon cameras, photo safaris and a photoshoot with one of the camp’s resident professionals
• A wellness sundowner and signature tea experience, taking guests on a journey through Ishara’s unique blends
• Sunrise yoga on the brand-new yoga deck
• A harvest lunch at the Shamba of Goodness aeroponic tower farm
• A private bush breakfast overlooking Ishara’s wildlife waterhole
• Ishara’s selection of healthy, harmonious and nourishing dining options

This experience has been created to align the body, mind and spirit, without imposing structure – allowing well-being to emerge as a natural consequence of time spent in rhythm with the land.

Beyond Luxury: A Philosophy of Presence

At its core, Ishara’s transformation reflects a broader shift in luxury travel – one where silence, space, and connection are the new markers of indulgence. Here, wellness is not merely a retreat from the world or a pause in the day, but a return to it, experienced through mindfulness, rhythm, and respect for the wild. From slow walks across the camp’s forest pathways to bathtubs under the stars and fireside reflection, every element at Ishara is calibrated to foster a quieter, more attuned way of being.

Guests can rise with the sun for breathwork on the forest-canopy yoga deck, unwind in the serenity of the heated pool wellness oasis, or spend a night under the stars on Ishara’s signature Starbed, now featuring a stone soaking tub for open-air bathing under the constellations.

New Wellness Offerings at a Glance:

• Aya Spa: Two secluded treatment sanctuaries with exfoliations, hydrotherapy, and deep restorative treatments.
• Nordic Spa: Panoramic sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub overlooking the savanna.
• Yoga & Meditation Deck: Elevated platform for movement, stillness, and intention-setting.
• Expansive Pool & Gym: Wellness amenities designed for serenity, strength, and far-reaching views.
• Starbed Experience: Open-air sleeping deck with a new soaking tub for connection and cosmic stillness.

Ishara is accessible from Nairobi by road (262 km | 163 mi) or by air to Mara’s Olkiombo airstrip, just 5km away.

The article Ishara unveils reimagined “Aya Spa” in Kenya’s Masai Mara following major wellness expansion first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.