Situated in a private concession on the Masai Mara – and bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves – Cottar’s 1920s Camp is a traditional tented safari camp reminiscent of scenes from  Out of Africa or the pages of Hemingway’s safari diary. In authentic historic style, the camp is furnished with decorative pieces – ostrich eggs, typewriters, dusty photo albums, and steel and brass antiques – which transport you back in time to a golden era when safaris were characterized by uninhibited adventure and romance. While your convivial hosts at Cottars intend to take you back to an age long past, there is nothing antiquated about its personalized and intuitive service. A butler is always at your service, making you feel comfortably at home and wanting for nothing.

Under the shade of a cluster of acacia trees with expansive views across the Mara plains, this classic camp accommodates 28 guests in authentic white canvas en suite tents. Professionally guided 4x4 game drives and walking safaris with expert guides are Cottar’s hallmark and the camp’s position within proximity of the Serengeti means that you are ideally placed to witness the spectacular wildebeest Migration between May and October. Year-round game viewing on this Big 5 reserve is consistent with high concentrations of predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs inhabiting the reserve.

Cottar’s focus on impact experiences also offers purpose-driven safari adventures. Learn from the all-female conservation unit, discover unique medicinal plants, forage for wild food, or participate in reforestation and seed-dispersing bush walks, fully engaging in active and sustainable, community-based travel.

Cottar’s private concession guarantees the discerning safari enthusiast the utmost privacy. Off-road game driving, night drives, and walking safaris further set Cottar’s apart and ensure a phenomenal Kenyan wilderness experience for guests.

Highlights

• Traditional tented safari reminiscent of the 1920s
• Witness the Great Migration in season
• Private concession ensures privacy & exclusivity
• Personal butler ensures intuitive service
• Walking safaris to track smaller game
• Game drives in vintage wood-panelled 1920’s car
• Fishing in the Mara River
• Wi-Fi & beauty therapist for in-suite treatments

Activities

• ANIMAL TRACKING EXPERIENCE
• BIRD WATCHING
• GAME DRIVES
• GUIDED WALKS
• NIGHT DRIVES
• SPECIALIST GUIDES
• FISHING

Rooms

Luxury Double Tent

The 9 luxurious tents are spaced to ensure privacy and discretion, making the set-up convenient for honeymooners or families with young children. Aligned with the 1920s theme of the camp, the white canvas tents incorporate fabrics, antiques, and artifacts of this golden era. Each tent is equipped with an en suite bathroom (shower and flush toilet) and a separate dressing room. The tents are adjoined by furnished verandahs that afford you stunning views across the Mara plains.

Family tents feature two bedrooms as well as a living room with a cozy fireplace. Cottar's Private House, which is also within the Masai Mara National Park, has a private 25m-long swimming pool.

Luxury Family Tent

Cottar’s Bush Villa is booked on an exclusive-use basis and comes with eight dedicated staff to create a superlative safari home-away-from-home experience. The villa sleeps up to twelve guests features its 25-metre swimming pool and has awe-inspiring views of the savannah plains. It has a living room, dining room, viewing deck, and five en-suite bedrooms, and is powered with electric and solar energy. This is an authentic, private, and luxury safari sojourn.

Facilities

The camp features two mess tents comprising an assortment of areas for dining, reading and relaxing. The crystal-clear swimming pool is a serene place to cool off in the heat of the day and an on-site beauty therapist offers an extensive range of treatments in the comfort of your spacious tent.

Aside from twice-daily 4x4 game drives and walking safaris (on request) guided fishing trips are offered on the Mara River and the chef will happily prepare your catch for dinner. Guests can enjoy an enriching cultural experience on a visit to a nearby Maasai village.

An armed Maasai warrior guards the camp each night and is always present to escort guests around the camp, a service that is compulsory after dark. Wi-Fi is available in communal areas of the camp.

Dining

The team of chefs serves up sumptuous cuisine in the camp’s elegant tented dining area and, for something truly memorable, romantic silver-service bush dinners can be arranged.