Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar

We visit both inside the Masai Mara National Reserve and outside, in our Olderkesi Conservancy. You can do either morning, evening or all day game drives. Please note that viewing the main migration river crossings requires a full day out as they are located some way from camp. We believe that wildlife viewing should be a private , special and un-rushed experience.

Cottar's wildlife drives Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Swimming pools for guests to enjoy as and when they wish.

Credit: Cottars Safaris

After a day out game driving, soak and relax in our unique canvas bush bath: A traditional style canvas bath is set up in the open-air outside your tent, as you bathe, you can enjoy the wild beauty of the Masai Mara.

Cottar's Safaris traditional canvas bath Credit: Cottar's Safaris Cottar's Safaris traditional canvas bath

We have a number of treatments available at the Spa which is located near the main Mess Tent area. We only use organic ingredients and allow our guests to choose the ingredients to make their spa experience truly bespoke.

Spa treatment Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Visit a Maasai Village and experience their rich culture. This involves a trip to their Manyattas (mud huts), village setup (security, healthcare, education and management of resources e.g. meals, water, firewood), local market with wonderful Maasai artefacts/attire for sale, their live-stock and much more. You will learn about ancient traditions as well as contemporary struggles and adaptations to modern life.

Village visit Credit: Cottar's Safaris

An hour-long flight at dawn ascend to one thousand feet or more to see the enormous and wonderful panorama of the Maasai. Followed by champagne breakfast upon landing.

S505 per person. Minimum age is 4 years and activity must be pre-booked.

Balloon safari Credit: Cottars Safaris

Children, from 5 years and above, soon become immersed in this captivating and fun outdoor classroom, where the guides become the teachers, explaining different species and the importance of conservation.

Kids' Entomology Safari Credit: Cottars Safaris

All walks are led by a professional guide and accompanied by a licensed gun bearer. Bush walks can start from camp or can be a part of a game drive. They give you the chance to view the unique ecosystem from a completely different perspective, and to learn about botany and entomology, and how to interpret animal tracks and signs. The walk can be as long or as short as you wish.

Guided Bush Walks Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Children and families are invited to learn the ways of a warrior with the African bush as your classroom. A session includes spear throwing ; bow and arrow practice; Maasai jumping, dancing and singing and tracking, depending on age and ability.

Warrior school fire Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Take your taste-buds on a journey through some of East Africa’s best coffees. Our coffee expert will take you through the history of coffee in East Africa, whilst comparing the different tastes and aromas. He will explain how different climates and processing methods result in very different coffees. It’s a must-do tasting experience for any coffee lover!

Coffee tasting at Cottar's Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Get a behind the scenes and experience the protection of the elephants in the Greater Mara ecosystem with Mara Elephant Project (MEP) including meeting the rangers, refreshments and an interactive presentation about the work of MEP. Activity must be pre-booked.

Conservation Helicopter Flight Credit: Mara Elephant Project

One hour learning with the only all-female conservation rangers unit in the Maasai Mara.

Conservation Rangers Credit: Cottars Safaris

Immersive Raptor Experience with Kenya Birds of Prey Trust (KBOPT), learn about conservation efforts in Mara for vulnerable raptors. Activity must be pre-booked.

Raptor rehabilitation Credit: Cottars Safaris

The Mara Meru Cheetah Project provides science for conservation on cheetahs and understanding on predators’ role within the broader ecosystem. Guests can choose from a range of experiences from a one-hour talk on cheetah with our guides, to spending a half-day out in the field followed by a talk with the head of Mara Meru Cheetah Project, Dr. Elena V. Chelysheva, PhD.

Mara cheetah Credit: Cottars Safaris

A short walk around Cottar's 1920s Camp, visiting our Explorer's Tent, 4Cs centre and back of house to view our organic vegetable garden, solar power farm and sustainability initiatives.

Cottar's 1920s Camp organic farm Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Dinner is setup out in the conservancy, under the vast African sky; with sundowners by the fire to start, followed by a three course meal, accompanied by the fantastic sounds of the wilderness at night.

Credit: Cottar's Safaris

From your wildlife drive vehicle or whilst out on a walk, throw seedballs around that will eventually sprout when the rains come. They are encased in a special coating which will activate at the right time for germination. Your packet contains approximately 225 indigenous tree, or grass or plant or flower seeds that are critical to the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

We are replenishing the tree species that are endangered in our area. Indirectly, we are also supporting species such as elephants, butterflies, bees and other insect life that is key to the biodiversity in this area. This is a free activity although donations are welcome. Thank you for helping our local ecosystem and helping Cottars become net positive!

Cottar's Safaris Seedball Dispersal Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Make traditional Maasai beaded jewellery with a Maasai Mama

Cottar's Safaris - beading with Mama Naishuru Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Spend a few hours visiting our local primary school, you will get to meet the children and sit in on a few classes if you wish, or join in on the daily football game. Something for those seeking a more engaging and immersive safari experience. Activity must be pre-booked.

Cotta's Safaris local school visit Credit: Cottar's Safaris Cotta's Safaris local school visit

Under the vast African sky, while enjoying an evening cocktails by the fire, guests get to enjoy the time-honoured celebration of song and dance by our local Maasai warriors.

Maasai singing and dancing Credit: Cottar's Safaris

Learn Western and African interpretations of the African night sky, and understand how the same view can elicit such illuminating and culturally different stories. The night skies of Kenya are phenomenal. Learn from our top guides about the stars seen from the African equator.

Stargazing Credit: Cottars Safaris

Our experienced, armed guides will take those interested in exploring the Ranch for game walks from camp or while out on a game drive. We encourage our clients to leave the sounds of the engine behind and whenever possible we explore the Conservancy on foot.

Venture back to the traditional days of safari as you set off on foot through a number of scenic environments. From acacia forests to lush riverine forest, our guides will ensure you experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the African bush. Witness a zebra grazing in the distance; lion sleeping peacefully in the shade of an acacia tree; or to get that ultimate thrill get close to the beautiful African giant, the elephant.

Game driving at Manyara Ranch Conservancy allows us to leave the established tracks and roads to reach more remote areas. Unlike National Parks, where you are not allowed to leave the marked roads; if we can see an animal from a distance, we are able to getting a closer look.

Off-road driving is carefully monitored to ensure the area does not suffer damage as a result.

Late afternoon game drives can extend into the night after a sundowner in the bush. Night drives enable visitors to see nocturnal game rarely seen during the day - a particular highlight for many!

Rarely offered in other areas of northern Tanzania, night game drives are a great way to explore the African wilderness in a completely exhilarating fashion. Search the darkness for that flicker of light from what could only be a pair of eyes. From the elusive aardvark to bouncing bush babies, the nocturnal species are a fascinating way to learn more about Africa's interesting and unique wildlife.

Spotlights are used by our trained guides in a manner that ensures animals are not disturbed.

A number of hides have been established where visitors may wait unseen for game to come to drink or gather at a salt lick.

Game viewing from the hides can provide some of the best wildlife action on the conservancy. Guests have witnessed many exciting events such as lions stalking zebra and elephants with their young playing in water. While watching such exciting events, guests can enjoy refreshing sundowners and delicious canapés, to complete the overall game hide viewing experience.

Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks are located either side of Manyara Ranch Conservancy, a short drive from our luxury tented camp. The conservancy is an excellent place from which to visit these parks on day trips without having to relocate to a new camp or lodge. An ideal stay would be for guests to spend three to four nights within the conservancy with one or two day trips to a nearby park.

The drive to Tarangire National Park takes only 30 minutes, while the gate to Lake Manyara National Park is only 40 minutes away. Ngorongoro Crater is 1 hour and 30 minutes from the camp. Guests take a picnic lunch box with them when they go on day trips.

An important part of the Manyara Ranch Conservancy experience is to leave your vehicle and explore the wilderness on foot. To support this concept, we also provide sundowners at specially chosen locations in the bush. From open plains to lush riverine areas, with 35,000 acres available for exclusive you can soak up nature with out any disturbances.

The Conservancy lies in the heart of Masailand. While no settlements are allowed on the conservancy itself, local villages are located outside which we visit on request. These are not "tourist-facilities" but local community homes to which we are invited by the people to visit from time to time.

Learn more about lifestyle of the local community, the main beneficiaries of the conservancy and your visit.