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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 Ddovu, 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 1920’s 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.
These luxury suites consist of 2 en-suite bedrooms with a shared sitting / dining room and include private ensuite dressing room and bathroom, main bedroom with veranda and a living room with a fireplace. Please note that they are open-plan.
Luxury honeymoon tent. The tent includes private en-suite dressing room and bathroom, main bedroom with veranda.
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.
A cream canvas tent with a double room, en-suite bathroom and a verandah.
A large and spacious cream canvas tent with an ensuite bathroom, and a verandah overlooking the Masai Mara plains.
Property Facilities
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 / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Safe, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Garden Tours, Massages, 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, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Historical Tours, 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.
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.
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.
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.
The 1920s Camp and the Bush Villa each have their own swimming pools for guests to enjoy as and when they wish.
You are given packets of Seedballs and as you drive or walk on your safari, please throw the seedballs out, one at a time. They are encased in a special coating which will activate at the right time for germination. Your packet contains approximately 225 indegenous 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 year, our aim is to plant 30,000 indigenous trees. Your complimentary packet will help us get towards our target, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
