A 14-suite safari camp inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, with private game drives, photography, family experiences and solar-powered operations.
Ilora Retreats is a 14-suite safari camp inside Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, in central Olkiombo near Rhino Ridge and north of the Talek River. The camp occupies thirty acres of indigenous bushland, with 95 per cent left natural. Game drives start inside the reserve, and the main Mara River crossing is around five kilometres away.
The camp accommodates up to 35 guests. Its 700-square-foot tented suites stand on raised decks and have private verandas, convertible king or twin beds, bathtubs and ensuite indoor showers. Extra beds, family tents and cots are available on request. Selected tents are wheelchair-friendly; guests with access requirements should discuss their needs before booking.
Founded by wildlife photographer Alankar Chandra, Ilora puts time with wildlife at the centre of the stay. Private 4x4 game drives with Maasai guides sit alongside bush and bird walks, a resident photographer and a photo lounge with editing workstations. Resident lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and hippo make the Mara rewarding beyond the migration season. Migration crossings and particular animal sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Between drives, guests can use the swimming pool, gym, library and sky deck. Stargazing at the celestial observatory, an open-air cinema, farm-to-table experiences and Maasai cultural activities offer reasons to stay longer. Junior Rangers and evening childminding support family stays. Balloon safaris, spa treatments, the star bed and private bush dinners carry supplementary charges; confirm the selected package and reserve fees when booking.
Meals draw on six cuisines, with fruit and vegetables from the camp's own farm. Jain, halal, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requirements can be catered for with advance notice. The camp runs on solar power, purifies its own water and supports the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project and Mara Predator Conservation Programme.
Olkiombo Airstrip is about ten minutes from camp. Scheduled or charter flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport take around 45 minutes; arrival by road from Nairobi takes approximately six to seven hours. Kusa Connect represents Ilora Retreats to the UK travel trade, providing product briefings, consultant training and FAM trip coordination.
Overview
- Reserve Type
- Inside the national reserve, north of the Talek River
- Child Friendly
- Families welcome; Junior Rangers, cots and evening childminding
Why visit
- Inside the reserve, about five kilometres from the main Mara River crossing.
- Fourteen private tented suites across thirty acres, with up to 35 guests.
- Private game-drive vehicles and Maasai guides, with a resident photographer and editing lounge.
- Junior Rangers, family accommodation and evening childminding.
- Celestial observatory, open-air cinema, farm experiences and a pool between drives.
- Solar power, purified water and 95 per cent of the site preserved as indigenous bushland.
Accommodation
- Unit Type
- Tented suite
- Total Units
- 14
- Accessibility
- Selected wheelchair-friendly tents; consult ahead
- Family Accommodation
- Family tents and cots available; confirm configuration with reservations
Private tented suite · 14
700 sq ft; king or twin beds, private veranda, bathtub and ensuite indoor shower; extra bed on request
Sleeps 2
Room amenities
- Private veranda with recliners
- Bathtub and ensuite indoor shower with hot water
- Convertible king or twin beds; extra bed and cot on request
- Personal bar, tea and coffee
- Ceiling fans; no air conditioning
- In-room safe, hairdryer, binoculars and safari poncho
- 220V universal charging with USB
Dining
- Service
- Private butler and plated multi-course dining; packed safari meals on request
- Board Basis
- Safari stay; confirm package inclusions with reservations
- Cuisine Style
- Indian, Italian, Continental, Chinese, Middle Eastern and African
- Farm To Table
- Fruit and vegetables grown in the camp garden
- Dietary Requirements
- Jain, halal, vegan, gluten-free and allergies with advance notice; kosher on request
Activities included
- Private 4x4 game drives with a Maasai guide
- Bush and bird walks, arranged with the camp
- Resident-photographer safari shoots
- Stargazing at the celestial observatory
- Open-air cinema and fireside storytelling
- Bush breakfasts and sundowners
- Junior Rangers, bead making and Maasai naming ceremony
- Evening childminding (6pm to 10pm)
- Farm-to-table experiences
Optional activities
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Spa treatments in-tent or open-air
- Star bed on the sky deck, subject to suitable weather
- Private bush dinner
Wildlife highlights
- Resident lion and leopard
- Cheetah, elephant and buffalo
- Hippo and birdlife; over 470 bird species across the ecosystem
- Seasonal wildebeest migration; crossings are not guaranteed
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Gym and yoga deck
- Spa
- Sky deck and celestial observatory
- Photography lounge with editing workstations
- Gallery and library
- Open-air cinema
- Curio shop
- Wi-Fi and laundry
Sustainability
- Food
- Own working farm and local sourcing
- Land
- Thirty acres, with 95 per cent preserved as indigenous bushland
- Water
- On-site reverse-osmosis purification; no single-use plastic bottles
- Energy
- 100 per cent solar powered
- Community
- Maasai employment and local artisan sourcing
- Conservation
- Supports the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project and Mara Predator Conservation Programme
Getting there
- Transfers
- Airstrip transfers arranged by Ilora; road transfers on request
- Road Access
- Approximately 6 to 7 hours from Nairobi
- Arrival Point
- Central Olkiombo, near Rhino Ridge, Masai Mara National Reserve
- Mara River Crossing
- Approximately 5 km / 10 minutes
- Airport Transfer Time
- Approximately 10 minutes by vehicle
Practical information
- Check In
- 1pm
- Wildlife
- Unfenced wilderness setting; escorted movement after dark
- Check Out
- 11am
- Reserve Fees
- Confirm current reserve fees and package inclusions before booking
- Sighting Expectations
- Rhino are scarce; neither Big Five sightings nor migration crossings can be guaranteed
Trade resources
UK trade information
How Ilora Retreats reaches the UK travel trade
Ilora Retreats is represented in the UK travel trade by Kusa Connect, an ATTA member UK rep company founded by Graeme Watson.
For UK trade enquiries about Ilora Retreats, contact Kusa Connect or speak directly with Graeme Watson — founder of Kusa Connect (ATTA member), former SATSA Board Director.
- Property
- Ilora Retreats
- Location
- Masai Mara, Narok County, Kenya
- Property type
- safari camp
- Nearest airport
- Olkiombo Airstrip (Approximately 10 minutes by vehicle)
- UK trade rep
- Kusa Connect — ATTA member
- Trade contact
- Graeme Watson, Founder
Frequently asked questions from the UK trade
How is Ilora Retreats sold to the UK travel trade?
UK travel agents recommend Ilora Retreats to their clients, who book through specialist UK tour operators, who in turn work with the destination's Destination Management Companies for in-country operations. Kusa Connect is Ilora Retreats's UK trade representative and does not take consumer or retail-agent bookings.
Where is Ilora Retreats?
Ilora Retreats is in Masai Mara, Narok County, Kenya. The nearest airport is Olkiombo Airstrip, approximately 10 minutes by vehicle from the property.
Who represents Ilora Retreats in the UK?
Ilora Retreats is represented in the UK travel trade by Kusa Connect, a boutique UK rep company for African travel founded by Graeme Watson — a former SATSA Board Director, ATTA member and member of the Institute of Directors UK. FAM trip availability, trade product information and operator introductions are all handled through kusaconnect.com/contact.
Where is Ilora Retreats in the Masai Mara?
Ilora is inside the Masai Mara National Reserve, in central Olkiombo near Rhino Ridge and north of the Talek River. The main Mara River crossing is about five kilometres away, so game drives begin inside the reserve.
How do guests get to Ilora Retreats?
Scheduled or charter flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport take approximately 45 minutes to Olkiombo Airstrip. Ilora arranges the ten-minute vehicle transfer to camp. By road, allow around six to seven hours from Nairobi, depending on traffic and track conditions.
How many suites does Ilora Retreats have?
There are 14 private tented suites, each approximately 700 square feet, with a camp maximum of 35 guests. Suites have king or twin beds, private verandas, bathtubs and ensuite indoor showers. Family tents, extra beds and cots are available on request.
Is Ilora Retreats suitable for families and guests with access needs?
Families can use Junior Rangers, Maasai bead making and evening childminding from 6pm to 10pm. Selected tents are wheelchair-friendly. Discuss the required room configuration and access arrangements with reservations before booking.
What can guests do between game drives at Ilora?
The camp has a pool, gym, library, photo lounge, celestial observatory and open-air cinema. A resident photographer, farm experiences and Maasai cultural activities are part of the wider programme. Balloon safaris, spa treatments, the star bed and private bush dinners carry supplementary charges; confirm the selected package before booking.
Can Ilora guarantee migration crossings or Big Five sightings?
No. Resident wildlife makes the area rewarding beyond the migration season, but river crossings depend on the animals and conditions. Rhino are scarce, and particular animal sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Trade details last updated