Cottar's 1920s Camp

OVERVIEW:

On its own 7,608-acre private conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Cottar’s 1920s Camp is an iconic safari product owned by one of Kenya’s most established industry families. Far from the Maasai Mara crowds but with access to all the magnificent wildlife that classifies it as a wonder of the world, Cottar’s delivers an excellent vintage safari camp with a superb range of activities. Those seeking the romance of a bygone era reminiscent of Out of Africa won’t be disappointed, and the coveted location allows for night drives that aren’t permitted within the national reserve. Rates are full board and include accommodation, all meals, local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, specified safari activities, Cottar’s private airstrip transfers, and laundry service.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Cottar’s 1920s Camp is located in the private Olderkesi Conservancy on the outskirts of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Access is by light aircraft to Cottar’s private airstrip, which is approximately 10 minutes by car from the camp, or by scheduled flight to Keekorok airstrip, followed by a 1.5-hour drive.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT COTTAR’S 1920s CAMP:

Guest accommodation at Cottar’s 1920s Camp consists of five luxury double tents, two honeymoon tents, four family suites, and a five-bedroom private villa. Spaced well apart for maximum privacy, the spacious canvas tents evoke the safari of bygone years with their classic 1920s style that favours four-poster beds draped with mosquito nets, antique furniture, sepia pictures, explorer-style storage trunks, and chaises longues. Each tent is slightly different, but all have huge floor-to-ceiling roll-up windows, allowing the breeze to circulate and maximizing the breathtaking Mara views. Furniture includes bedside tables, reading lamps, a writing desk, comfortable indoor seating arrangements, and ample storage space. The en-suite washrooms are at the back of the tents, and each has a flush toilet, a washbasin, and a walk-in shower. At the front of each tent, there’s a veranda with a couple of chairs and a small table where guests can enjoy drinks while marveling at the glorious setting. The four family suites feature additional bedrooms and shared living/dining rooms with cozy fireplaces, and the generously sized honeymoon suites feel very private and exclusive. Cottar’s 1920s Camp also has a five-bedroom private bush villa with a large living room, dining room, viewing deck, and 25m swimming pool. Rented on an exclusive basis, the house comes with a dedicated staff and its own game-drive vehicle and guides.

The tents are linked to the main areas by neat pathways, and there are always askaris around at night to escort guests. Opulent, open-fronted living and dining spaces are housed within two grand mess tents crammed full of plush sofas and armchairs, polished hardwood furniture, artifacts, brass lanterns, and exotic kilims. Guests are welcome to pull up a barstool and enjoy a cold drink served in beautiful crystal glassware or browse through the impressive collection of maps and reading material. Meals are served at the communal dining table, but private dining can be arranged on your tent veranda, as well as bush dinners under the stars, with prior notice. There’s a relaxing spa tent where guests can indulge in a range of massage and beauty treatments using only organic ingredients. Cottar’s also has a swimming pool with stunning views, sun loungers, and shade, which guests are welcome to make use of in between safari activities. Finally, there’s a camp shop with a well-curated selection of jewellery, beaded items, crafts, and safari gear.

ACTIVITIES AT COTTAR’S 1920s CAMP:

Cottar’s 1920s Camp offers a tremendous range of activities focused on wildlife, Maasai culture, education, and conservation.

• Game drives

  – Game drives take place both during the day and at night, always led by experienced guides. There is an enormous diversity of wildlife to explore – big cats including lion, leopard, cheetah, and leopard, and plenty of herbivores such as elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles. The camp’s location means guests can easily traverse through both the private Olderkesi Conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

• Guided bush walks

  – Led by a professional guide and armed spotter, bush walks introduce guests to the ecosystem from a completely different perspective, providing an up-close lens into the small details often missed from game-drive vehicles. Fully tailored to meet individual levels and preferences, there are endless opportunities to learn about the resident plant life, grasses, and insects, and to identify animal tracks. There are also walks that focus on foraging and the medicinal properties of plants, so please let us know if you have any specific interests. The birdlife is impressive too, with raptors including the majestic yellow-beaked Verreaux’s eagle often spotted on hill walks close to cliffs.

• Hot air ballooning

  – The day begins with an early morning wake-up call followed by a one-and-a-half-hour drive to the departure point. You’ll take off at dawn and soar into the sky as the sun rises, floating in whichever direction the winds take you, with magnificent views of the Maasai Mara plains beneath. The flight lasts approximately 1 hour, followed by a hearty gourmet breakfast with champagne. Please note that this activity incurs an extra cost.

• Helicopter flight with the Mara Elephant Project

  – This is a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience with the Mara Elephant Project, where you’ll go behind the scenes and learn about the protection of elephants in the Greater Mara Ecosystem (GME). Meet Mara Elephant Project CEO Marc Goss, track some of the elephants, and see firsthand how helicopters are used to increase wildlife protection in the region. Please note that this activity incurs an extra cost and must be pre-booked.

• Swimming and/or fishing

  – A 45-minute drive from Cottar’s, visit a sand river with your guide, where you can swim under the falls, dive off the rocks and do some hand-line fishing for catfish.

• Beading with Mamma Naishuru Batian

  – Mamma Naishuru is a widowed grandmother and expert Masaai beader. This activity invites you to join her for an hour-long bead-making session where you’ll learn how to make a personalized bracelet. Alternatively, join her for a more extended period and have a more sophisticated piece developed. Please note that this activity incurs an extra cost. 

• Photoshoot on safari

  – The Cottar’s in-house photographer can be hired for an hour, a half or full-day session, or longer to capture priceless moments on your safari, and all photographs will be downloaded before your departure. Alternatively, pre-book professional off-site photographer Georgina Goodwin and take your skills up a notch. Please note that this activity incurs an extra cost, and 20 percent of your payment will be invested in the Cottar’s Wildlife Conservation Trust.

• Maasai warrior school

  – Maasai warrior school is a great way for the kids to get involved and learn about local traditions and practices, including pear throwing, bow-and-arrow practice, Maasai jumping, dancing and singing, and tracking.

• One-hour learning with female rangers

  – Support the only all-female ranger unit in the Maasai Mara and their important conservation, community, and cultural initiatives. When appropriate, you may be able to participate in their daily activities, such as patrolling, de-snaring, wildlife counting, and liaising with the Maasai community.

• Mara Cheetah Educational Experience

  – An age-old human–wildlife conflict has resulted in a declining cheetah population over the last two decades. The Mara Meru Cheetah Project provides scientific research on cheetahs and lions and an understanding of their role within the broader ecosystem, thus contributing to conservation. Guests can choose from a range of experiences, including a 1-hour talk on cheetahs and a half-day out in the field, followed by a talk with the head of the Mara Meru Cheetah Project.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.