Main areas at Cottars 1920s Camp

Why We Love Cottar’s 1920s Camp:

Cottar’s offers something increasingly rare in the Masai Mara. Space, privacy and genuine heritage. Its private conservancy allows for flexible safari activities and quieter sightings, while access to the Masai Mara ensures classic big game viewing.

The guiding here is among the best in East Africa, and the camp’s long-standing commitment to conservation and community involvement is deeply woven into the experience. This is vintage safari done properly, with substance behind the style.

Another Guest Favorite? For honeymooners, the outdoor canvas bath is a signature experience. Set in the open bush with sweeping savanna views, it is a beautifully romantic way to unwind after a day on safari.

Insider’s Tip: From July to October, Cottar’s location near the southern Masai Mara places it well for Great Wildebeest Migration viewing. Timing varies each year, so we recommend speaking with your Ubuntu Travel specialist to plan your visit around wildlife movements.

 FAQs About Cottar’s 1920

Where is Cottar's 1920s Camp Located?

Nestled in the private Olderkesi Conservancy, the camp sits just 1 km from the Masai Mara National Reserve – offering exclusive wildlife access and privacy.

Can You Visit Giraffe Manor Without Staying There?

The Olderkesi Conservancy forms part of the wider Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and borders the Masai Mara. So you can expect to see all the same wildlife as in the Masai like:

Big Cats:

  • Lions, including resident prides
  • Leopards (often in tree-lined riverbeds)
  • Cheetahs, taking advantage of the open plains

Elephants:
Frequent sightings of small family herds and lone bulls, especially around the riverine areas.

Buffalo & Giraffe:
Large herds of Cape buffalo roam the conservancy, while Masai giraffe are often seen browsing acacia trees.

Plains Game:
Includes zebra, eland, topi, impala, grant’s gazelle, and wildebeest (particularly during the migration months of July – October).

Birdlife:
With over 450 species in the broader Mara region, the conservancy is a birder’s haven – look for secretary birds, lilac-breasted rollers, hornbills, and raptors.

Ubuntu Travel Note: Thanks to strict conservation and controlled tourism, wildlife in Olderkesi is abundant, less habituated to vehicles, and more relaxed – ideal for photographers and guests seeking authentic sightings without the crowds.

What Types of Accommodations are Available?

The camp features 11 luxury cream-canvas tents – five double tents, four spacious family tents, and two secluded honeymoon tents – each with an en-suite bathroom and sweeping views of the river or savannah.

Is Cottar's 1920s Camp Family-Friendly?

Absolutely – family tents include two bedrooms and a living area, ideal for families of all ages. Children stay free (0–4 years), and the pool is perfect for kids under supervision.

What Safari Experiences are included?

Your stay includes a variety of unforgettable safari experiences: day and night game drives, expert-led walking safaris, scenic bush meals, and authentic Maasai cultural visits. Guests can also enjoy conservation talks and meet the inspiring all-female ranger unit.

Hot air ballooning and helicopter excursions over the Masai Mara is available at an additional cost, and well worth it for the view!

When is the best time to visit Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp?

Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp is a year-round safari destination, thanks to its exclusive location in the Olderkesi Conservancy, which supports resident wildlife and healthy big cat populations.

The dry season (July to October) is especially rewarding, as this is when the Great Wildebeest Migration typically passes through nearby Masai Mara. The camp remains open year-round, with April and November seeing heavier rains, though game viewing remains excellent.

What makes Cattar's 1920s Camp Unique?

With a 100-year family legacy, Cottar’s pairs 1920s safari glamour with forward-thinking conservation. The camp is a multi-award-winner (including Global Ecosphere Retreat status) and works hand-in-hand with the Maasai community to protect the Olderkesi Conservancy, delivering an eco-luxury experience rooted in authentic culture and responsible tourism.

Ready to start planning Luxury Safari?

Reach out and let’s start talking. We’ll listen and begin to tailor an experiential, private, luxury vacation based on exactly how you want to experience Africa. From adventure to relaxation—and everything in between—let us handle every detail of your unforgettable journey.

Top Luxury Lodges in The Masai Mara

Discover premier camps and boutique retreats across the Mara and its neighboring conservancies, perfect for an indulgent, wildlife-rich safari.

What Ubuntu Travelers Are Saying

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Excellent111 reviews
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13 September 2026
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Absolute 1st class travel planning. We had the most amazing and memorable trip, and as a person who likes to travel plan myself, this trip had so many moving parts there's no way I could have tackled it. I'd give Ubuntu an 11/10 rating if I could. They made our travel seamless, relaxed, and delivered the most incredible experience. 100% we will use them again.
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1 September 2026
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Fantastic service
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19 August 2026
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What an incredible South Africa trip Ubuntu planned for my wife and I! Ubuntu set us up with full-day guided Peninsula and Winelands tours during our few days in Cape Town, followed by four days of Safari game drives at the Savanna Lodge within the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. A huge thank you to Ubuntu for finding a perfect balance/mix of fun activities and relaxed downtime throughout out trip! Ubuntu took care of all the travel logistics once we got down to South Africa. Ubuntu set us up with our Guest Experience Liaison that would check-in with us ever couple of days and was available on call if we needed any sort of logistical support. We didn't end up needing to lean on our liaison since everything went so smoothly, but surely felt we had all the support we needed had something come up. We know we will be utilizing Ubuntu the next time we travel to Africa and highly recommend Ubuntu to anyone else planning a trip to Africa!
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12 August 2026
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From the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar, Ubuntu Travel designed an unforgettable Tanzanian package to celebrate a milestone birthday. I was especially grateful that they embraced this solo traveler and ensured that every detail was planned out in advance, making this a trip of a lifetime.
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24 July 2026
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Ubuntu Travel planned the most epic safari vacay for my husband and in Tanzania. We loved every place we stayed and every detail was taken care of! Their communication was exceptional! 100 out of 10!
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15 July 2026
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Best vacation of our lives!! My husband and I booked with Ubuntu for an unforgettable vacation to Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar this past June. The experience and support of Ubuntu was beyond our wildest dreams. We had first class, 5 star luxury service from start to finish. Jenna was absolutely amazing and was always a text, email or phone call away to answer our 100s of questions we had during the planning process. Owner's, Kyle and Leah were so kind as to even share links with my husband and I from some of their favorite stores so we could look safari chic. The care and support we were given during this entire vacation were top tier. The vacation itself was so personal, intimate and beautiful. The accommodations were breathtaking. Every lodge and camp left us speechless other than uttering the word, WOW, over and over. The service and staff at the lodges and camps were first class and luxurious. I didn't know a tented camp could be so fancy. I could have never dreamed of having a hot shower in the middle of the Serengeti with fresh French pressed African coffee brought to our tent every morning, or a 3 course breakfast with fresh fruit smoothies in the Masai Mara. We felt connected and so safe throughout our 3 week journey. The safaris were breathtaking and educational. You cannot describe how incredible this vacation is, you have to experience it and Ubuntu gave us a vacation of a lifetime. I cannot recommend Ubuntu enough to anyone looking to book a luxury African vacation. They did the hard work for us all the way down to sending us our beautifully embroidered Ubuntu duffle bag. Great customer service, great company, great people!
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10 July 2026
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We loved working with Ubuntu. From start to finish they were easy to work with. They really listened to what we wanted and planned the perfect trip. Their support in getting ready and throughout our trip was truly excellent (they really took great care of us). We had a flight cancelled and they went all out to get us back on track so we did not miss a thing. Their planning, work and local partners on the ground really allowed us to relax and be present. We had the trip of a lifetime and would absolutely use them again. Highly recommend.
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21 June 2026
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Wow! Ubuntu Travel planned the most amazing trip to Uganda for me. I cannot say enough good things about the meticulous planning they provided. Not only were they superb in planning, they also checked in while I was on my trip. The lodges I stayed at were spectacular, my guide seemed hand picked just for me and the scenery was beautiful and the food was 5 star quality. It was the most amazing trip of a lifetime. I am hoping to go back to Uganda someday. I definitely am going back to Africa and there is no doubt that I will be using Ubuntu Travel to plan my trip! I cannot imagine ever using anyone but Ubuntu for travel to Africa.
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14 March 2026
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Ubuntu planned our honeymoon to Tanzania recently and it was the greatest trip of our lives--and it's not even close. From start to finish, everything was taken care of. Ubuntu plans the type of trip where you don't even have to think--travel stress is off the table. After a brief call to discuss options, we had an itinerary sent to us with the perfect combination of safari and beach. If you've come across Ubuntu, you're done searching. Just do it. At the end of our trip, my wife and I agreed: "If this is the best trip we ever take for the rest of our lives, we're okay with that."
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6 February 2026
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We cannot thank Ubuntu enough for planning such a special trip for our honeymoon. From beginning to end, the trip was so smooth. Every point of contact in South Africa was so kind, helpful, punctual, and informational. They partner with incredible companies, and they really know what they are doing. Leah, Kyle, and Jenna planned the perfect trip for us, and they were readily available for any questions we had.They selected the most stunning places for us to stay, and we experienced such a range of types of hospitality. We felt so spoiled and taken care of the entire trip. Would strongly recommend Ubuntu for anyone who was traveling to Africa. They were a dream to work with.