Masai Mara National Reserve - Kenya
Reminiscent of a bygone era of romance and adventure
Voted ‘Best Safari Camp', Harpers and Queen.
Voted ‘Best Tented Camp in the world', Tatler Magazine.
Cottars 1920s Camp is located on 22,000 acres of private land within the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Cottar safari tradition, which was established in 1919 when members of the European aristocracy flocked to East Africa in search of ‘big game, remains unchanged. Nearly 90 years, this originally family-run camp continues to provide an unparalleled safari experience for the truly discerning clients. Cottars excel in the provision of the original essence of ‘safari', while the camp is reminiscent of a bygone era of romance, adventure and unparalleled elegance.
Extending an era of luxury and quality, Cottars return their guests to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari'. The camp is reminiscent of a golden era - an era of romance, professional guiding, adventure and elegance.
Location
The camp is located in the south-east Masai Mara National Reserve, bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves. Located in an untouched exclusive private concession, the location guarantees privacy and an abundance of wildlife.
270 Kms from Nairobi.
Getting there
Keekorok airstrip (2 hours drive at US$ 100 per person per transfer to Cottars from Keekorok).Cottars 1920's private airstrip for private charters.
Twice daily scheduled Air Kenya flights to the Masai Mara departing Nairobi at 10h00 and 15h00.Twice daily scheduled Safarilink flights to the Masai Mara departing Nairobi at 10h00 and 14h45.Once daily scheduled Air Kenya flight from Samburu and Nanyuki at 09h15 and 10h00.Once daily scheduled Safarilink flight from Shaba at 09h10, Samburu at 09h30 and Nanyuki at 09h45.Once daily scheduled Air Kenya flight from Meru (via Samburu) at 08h45.
The Background
The Masai Mara National Reserve
The greatest wildlife show on earth
Word renowned for the breathtaking spectacle of the annual migration of half a million wildebeest, the Mara is Kenya's most visited protected area. Technically an extension of Tanzania's renowned Serengeti National Park, the Mara constitutes only 4% of the entire Serengeti ecosystem but its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers and towering escarpments offer one of the world's most rewarding and evocative wildlife arenas. Offering an abundance of herbivores, the Mara makes the ideal hunting ground for Kenya's famous ‘big cats' and hosts her largest population of lions. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara is famous for the large herds of elephant and buffalo that meander its plains; also for the fat pods of hippo that wallow in its mud-brown rivers.
Kenya hotels and accommodation
Amongst the wide range of Kenya hotels, some make the ideal Kenya safari destination. Choose a safari lodge, safari hotel, bush camp, luxury lodge, safari camp, tented camp or bush lodge. National park accommodation usually takes the form of a traditional safari lodge or tented camp, but numerous other options exist on the park boundaries. Luxury lodges and luxury camp options are also offered in the private wildlife conservancies.
Accommodation
Luxury accommodation includes seven stylish and spacious white canvas tents as well as a family/honeymoon tent. Each tent is luxuriously finished with safari antiques from the 1920s and includes a veranda, dressing room and an en suite bathroom with shower and flush wc. Limited laundry service.
Included in the rate is: full Board Accommodation, soft drinks, Beer, house wines and non-luxury spirits, Day & Night Game Drives, Guided Bush Walks, Transfers to Cultural Visits (The actual cultural visit will incur an extra fee), Bush Meals, Sundowners, bush spa treatments, transfers
Dining and bars
All meals are served in the elegant dining area with full sliver service. The Cottars dining experience is true to the 1920's ambience and features elegant cuisine, crystal glass, white napiery and silver service. The staff wear traditional white tunics and fez.
There is also a tented library and reading room. (Soft drinks, beer, house wines and non-luxury spirits are included in the room rates. Champagne, special wines and luxury spirits are additional).
Child-friendly
The camp welcomes children.
What to see and do
Highlights and special features
Game Drives, nature walks and medicinal plant discovery
Experience the real safari - morning and afternoon game drives through the park with our trained driver-guides. Picnic lunches and sundowners can be provided. Our Maasai guides also offer guided nature walks, bird-spotting, tracking and medicinal plant walks.
River Fishing and swimming
Guests can enjoy swimming and fishing in the rivers of the reserve.
Visit to an authentic Maasai En'kaang
To experience the true Maasai culture, we offer a visit to a traditional Maasai village or En'kaang. Here guests will be given a traditional Maasai welcome (with dance and song), experience a unique insight into the Maasai lifestyle, learn more about Maasai handicrafts (beading and leatherwork) and have the opportunity to purchase Maasai artifacts direct from those who make them.
Bush lunches and dinners
Private ‘bush' lunches and dinners can be arranged in the bush, complete with waiters, private bar and private BBQ cooking station, campfires and hurricane lamps.
Bush Spa
The camp offers luxurious massages and beauty treatments.
Wildlife highlights: lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, zebra, hippo, spotted and striped hyena, giraffe, oryx, wildebeest, gerenuk, impala and Grant's gazelle. Birds: 425 recorded species.
Other attractions
Excluded Activities
Park Fee
Extra Lunch - Per Person
Exclusive Use of Vehicle per Day - Per Vehicle
Calvin Cottar as a Private Guide - Per Day
Transfers (to anywhere in the Mara)
Keekorok Airstrip (one way) - Per Person - Keekorok- Cottars
Afternoon Departures charges
Hot Air Balloon Trip - Balloon Safaris Keekorok - Per Person
Fee to enter a Maasai Cultural Village
Champagne, Luxury Spirits and Select Wines
Awards
Voted Best Safari Camp, Harpers & Queen.
Voted Best Tented Camp in the world, Tatler Magazine.
Top Guides of Africa, Conde Nast Traveller.
Cottars 1920s Camp - Masai Mara • Exclusive Safari Camp • Kenya Hotels, Safari Lodges & Tented Camps
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