Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp

The award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Camp is situated in the 7608-acre private Olderkesi Conservancy bordering the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Tanzania Serengeti game reserve. Owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa it extends an era of luxury and quality and returns to the original spirit and essence of safari, reminiscent of a golden era – an era of romance, professional guiding, adventure and elegance.. 

The camp’s 11 spacious tents are sumptuously furnished with safari antiques, four-poster beds, dressing rooms, ensuite bathrooms, outdoor verandahs and the diligent attention of private butlers. Also set within the camp is the Cottar’s Bush Villa, the only private luxury home in the Maasai Mara. Rented only on an exclusive basis, the Bush Villa comes with a dedicated staff of eight, a large living room, a dining room, a magnificent viewing deck, five ensuite bedrooms, a private swimming pool and a dedicated game drive vehicle and guide.

Situated in the Masai Mara, in an untouched exclusive concession bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves, the area guarantees privacy and an abundance of wildlife. The camp accommodates up to 22 guests in authentic white canvas tents, which are spacious and luxuriously furnished with original safari antiques from the 1920s. An abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy, and the highest standards of professional guiding, in a luxurious and authentic safari environment.

Architecture of Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp

The camp has eleven tents in total (two unique honeymoon tents, five double tents and four family tents), all with en suite bathrooms. The family tents are open-plan and have living rooms with fireplaces. The entire camp is situated to ensure that tents are private and quiet whether for honeymooners or families with young children.

The camp has two main mess tent areas for fine dining, drinking, reading and relaxing, and an amazing pool and spa where guests can relax after a game drive. Guests can also enjoy a traditional canvas safari bath, a genuinely unique way of bathing specifically set up on the tent’s verandah, with views out over the plains. The location of the camp provides easy access for day and night wildlife drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Olderkesi Conservancy, wildlife walks, and cultural interactions with the Maasai community.

The main central area is a very large, open-fronted mess and lounge tent, set in front of a manicured lawn. The comfortable lounge area is densely furnished with armchairs, coffee tables and sofas. Old sepia photos hang from the walls and brass lanterns from the ceiling - it does feel like stepping back in time. At the other end is a large dining table where communal meals take place.

Other shared areas include a sparkling blue swimming pool with lovely views and plenty of sun loungers to relax on. This is at the far northwestern end of the camp, meaning it can take about 10 minutes to walk there from certain tents. There's another mess tent near the pool too, where meals can be served on special occasions.