(Posted 22nd October 2025)
In the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara, where the horizon stretches endlessly and wildlife moves freely across the plains, Ishara has become more than a luxury camp: it is a living, breathing fairy tale. Following the success of The Curious Boy Who Followed the Signs, Ishara has unveiled a new chapter with the release of The Curious Boy Who Followed His Heart ($45). The much-anticipated sequel transforms Ishara itself into a canvas for storytelling: sprawling plains, whispering forests, and the Mara’s iconic wildlife brought to life in an imaginative, hand-painted world, reminiscent of ‘The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse’, but set in the wild, beating heart of Africa.
Inspired by real-life events, the second book in the Curious Boy series, The Curious Boy Who Followed His Heart, captures resilience, wonder, and the extraordinary magic that defines the camp. On the night of 30 April last year, after months of heavy rainfall, the Talek River breached its banks, leaving many cherished spaces at Ishara submerged. “It was a moment of disbelief,” recalls author Altaf Jiwa, of Ishara. “Everything we had built was transformed overnight. Yet, from that upheaval, a story of hope and rebirth began to take shape.”
Over the following nine months, Ishara was entirely recreated. A labyrinth of pathways through lush tree canopies and across the camp was created enabling guests to engage with nature in an immersive manner. River Suites were elevated and repositioned within the forest, offering intimate views of the river and wildlife from private decks. The Villa Suite was enhanced with a heated infinity pool and an expansive fire deck. A large heated pool, an expanded spa, a sauna, cold plunge, gym, and yoga deck were also added, enticing guests to reconnect with body, mind, and spirit. A brand-new elevated Canon Photo Studio, with views that serve as both muse and backdrop, provides guests with the prospect of diving into the world of photography, gaining knowledge and guidance from experts. The interactive ‘Shamba of Goodness’ aeroponic tower farm, now with an adjacent teaching kitchen and outdoor garden, continues to provide farm-to-table organic produce, while the Pangolin Cellar elevates the wine experience to artful indulgence. Every corner of the camp blends contemporary luxury with a deep respect for nature and local culture, reflecting Ishara’s ethos of immersive storytelling and bespoke safari experiences.
Amidst this renaissance, Jiwa’s imagination gave form to the boy’s next adventure. As he navigates landscapes altered by adversity, the boy is guided by familiar friends such as a wise elephant and a majestic leopard, alongside new companions including a gentle hyena, a luminous firefly, and a spirited cheetah.
“Within every difficulty there’s beauty to be discovered, and the Mara has a way of teaching that,” says Altaf Jiwa. “This book celebrates perseverance, the power of belief, and the courage to follow one’s heart – lessons that resonate with readers of all ages.”
Martinus van Tee returned as illustrator, immersing himself in the Mara once more to capture the story’s emotions in water colour. “The flood changed the landscape, but in that change, there was profound beauty,” van Tee explains. “Every brushstroke reflects the sentiment and significance embedded in the boy’s journey. From the murky greys of despair to the warm hues of hope, the colours themselves tell a story.”
Inspired by the Ishara family, the Curious Boy series invites guests and readers alike to experience the camp in a wholly new way, one where luxury meets imagination and every river bend, sunrise, and animal encounter becomes part of a living narrative. The books are available exclusively at Ishara, offering a collectible, story-driven escape into the heart of Kenya’s wilds.
Ishara is accessible from Nairobi by road (262km | 163 mi) or by air to the Mara’s Olkiombo airstrip, just 5km away.
The Curious Boy Who Followed His Heart is priced at US $45 and is available exclusively at Ishara, Masai Mara.
Rates for Ishara start at US$ 1,500 per person sharing.
Rates include accommodation, all meals and beverages including premium wines and spirits (excluding Champagne and select wines and spirits from the Vintage Collection); game drives in an exclusive-use panoramic view luxury Land Cruiser; use of the Canon Photo Studio and its professional Canon cameras, lenses and binoculars; complimentary photo safaris and guest photoshoots with resident professional photographers; private sundowners and bush breakfasts; use of the gym, heated pool, sauna, cold plunge, hot tub, and yoga deck; in-room dining; daily laundry and ironing services; childminding (from 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm); complimentary WiFi; return transfers from Olkiombo Airstrip or Sekenani Gate; emergency medical air evacuation (AMREF): all statutory taxes; and the Community Fee.
To learn more about Ishara, visit ishara.ke.
