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Step back in time with us at our award-winning, conservation-led, authentic and luxurious tented camp. One of only twelve designated Global Ecosphere Retreats in the world, chosen for our work toward global sustainability and community support.
Our charming 1920s Camp provides the romance of safari under cream canvas tents in the vintage luxury style of the twenties, with all amenities required by today’s modern travellers. The camp has eleven newly refurbished and spacious, ensuite tents - two unique honeymoon tents, five luxury double tents and four family suites (each two-bedroom ensuite with flexi bed arrangements).
Well spaced tents ensure privacy and quiet, whether for honeymooners, solo travellers or families with young children. The camp has a main mess tent for dining and relaxing, an Explorers Tent for nature and cultural learning, an amazing pool and pavilion, and a spa for some extra pampering. Guests can also enjoy our unique traditional canvas safari bath set up on the tent's verandah, with views out over the plains and romantic bush dinners or private meals on your tent's verandah.
The private location of the camp provides easy access for day and night wildlife drives, bush walks/runs, authentic cultural interactions and over 20 impactful guest activities.
There are five luxury double tents in total; Swala, Duma, and the new/replacement Ndovu, Kudu and Athi tents. The new tents are approximately 40% larger than our older luxury double tents. The interiors include bathrooms with wallpaper (yes wallpaper in a tent); wooden flooring throughout, bespoke furniture, which has a nod to the 1920s era, yet is modern and accessible. The tents also have space for a lovely seating/living area which includes a dining table and chairs, a writing desk and a daybed or couch and marvelous high views from the hill, looking out onto the savannah.
Luxury honeymoon tent. The tent includes private en-suite dressing room and bathroom, main bedroom with veranda.
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi
Luxury Family Tented Suite
Cottar's newly renovated Family Tents are positioned with higher outward views on expansive wooden decks. The two bedroom units are each ensuite and separated by solid walls with a living room and outside deck in-between, which maximizes privacy. 2 of the family tents will have flexi beds, allowing for either 2 double rooms, 4 singles or the conventional 1 double and 2 singles. The Family Tents have new decor, a contained stove in the living room to keep guests cosy on a cold evening, and a table for private dining.
Property Facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Activity Desk, Baby Sitting, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony , Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Drinking Water Filtration System, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Family Safari Tent, Fireplace, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), LED Camp Lights, Lounge Area, Lounge, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Twin Bed, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Baby Sitting, Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Boules, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Massages, Natural History Tours, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, General Sightseeing, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Historical Tours, Night Drives, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided)
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.
Swimming pools for guests to enjoy as and when they wish.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
One hour learning with the only all-female conservation rangers unit in the Maasai Mara.
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Immersive Raptor Experience with Kenya Birds of Prey Trust (KBOPT), learn about conservation efforts in Mara for vulnerable raptors. Activity must be pre-booked.
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Cottar's 1920s Camp Dining
At Cottar’s, dining is not confined to regular mealtimes but is part of the everyday experience, and food and drinks are there to be enjoyed at any time. From the main Mess Tent or the poolside pavilion to private dining on your tent veranda to a bush dinner, the dining experience is tailored to each individual.
Our ingredients are consciously and ethically sourced, fresh ingredients grown in our organic garden, with regional produce from dedicated, passionate farmers, artisans, makers and producers of all things edible.
