A Classic Safari Experience in a Private Masai Mara Conservancy
Olderkesi Conservancy, Kenya
Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp offers one of Kenya’s most authentic and character-rich safari experiences. Set within a 7,608-acre private conservancy bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve, the camp combines old-world safari romance with modern comfort and a strong conservation ethos.
Family-owned for over a century, Cottar’s is known for its exceptional guiding, low guest density and access to both its private conservancy and the Masai Mara. This allows for a wider range of safari activities, including walking safaris and night drives, alongside classic game drives in the reserve.
Accommodation is in elegant white canvas tents inspired by the golden era of safari. Interiors are spacious and refined, with thoughtful vintage details, comfortable furnishings and private verandas overlooking the savanna. Dining is a highlight, with fine cuisine served in atmospheric settings that reflect the camp’s heritage.
Cottar’s is ideal for travellers who value authenticity, privacy and meaningful wildlife encounters. It appeals equally to couples, families and photographers seeking a deeper connection to the land and its people.
Highlights and Activities at Cottar’s 1920:
ROOMS: 11 luxury canvas tents, including honeymoon and family suites
BEST FOR: Couples, Honeymooners, Families, Photography-focused travellers
ACTIVITIES:
- Game drives in the private conservancy and Masai Mara
- Seasonal Great Wildebeest Migration viewing
- Walking safaris
- Night game drives
- Birding
- Hot air balloon safaris
- Cultural experiences
- Spa & Wellness Treatments
- Helicopter Conservation Excursions
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 Cottar'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.
Why Choose Cottar’s 1920 in the Masai Mara
A multi-award-winning vintage safari experience focused on privacy, conservation, and old-world charm.
Private Conservancy Access
Enjoy exclusive safari experiences within Cottar’s 7,608-acre Olderkesi Conservancy
Great Wildebeest Migration Viewing
Positioned along a key migration corridor – Seasonal July and October.
Authentic 1920s Style
Stay in luxurious canvas tents styled with antiques, leather chairs, and clawfoot tubs – true romantic nostalgia.
Expert Guiding & Gold-Level Standards
Led by Kenya’s top Gold-Level guides, known for immersive walking safaris, wildlife tracking, and cultural insight.
Multi-Award-Winning
With 100 years of guiding heritage, Cottar’s is celebrated for both its conservation leadership and award-winning sustainable tourism practices.
Tailor-Made Honeymoon Experiences
From canvas bush baths to private sundowners, perfect for honeymooners or couples seeking seclusion and magic.
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.
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What Ubuntu Travelers Are Saying
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
From the very first zoom call with Leah to the detailed itinerary that Jenna put together to the boots on the ground communication from Jacinta, Mandie, Nyameka and the whole team we had the most incredible first safari experience in Kenya thanks to Ubuntu. They put us up in the most iconic tents with staff that went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable experience. Our plane transfers from lodge to lodge were seamless and very easy to navigate. We had the absolute best safari vacation and we owe that to Ubuntu!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We worked with Ubuntu to plan our honeymoon, and throughout the entire process, we experienced such wonderful customer service. With so many things pulling us in different directions between wedding planning, our personal lives, and work, there were definitely times when our responses and decisions took longer than expected. No matter how long an email sat in our inbox, though, the Ubuntu team was always quick to respond. They patiently answered all of our questions, no matter how silly, and consistently provided helpful specifics, whether that was a direct link or step-by-step instructions. We really appreciated that the team focused on giving us the information we needed to make informed decisions without ever making the process feel like a sales pitch. They were respectful and realistic when it came to conversations about our budget while still making sure they were creating the best experience possible for us. Once we arrived in Africa, the experience continued to be top-notch. The accommodations were beautiful, and every staff member we interacted with was professional, welcoming, and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. Having all of our airport transfers and domestic travel taken care of was such a relief and exactly what we needed after the chaos of wedding planning. We would recommend working with Ubuntu to anyone we know who is planning a trip to Africa. They made the entire experience seamless, stress-free, and incredibly memorable. We are so grateful for the role they played in making our honeymoon so special.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We just arrived home from a 31 day epic adventure in Africa. We covered SA (Cape Town and surrounds), Singita at Sabi Sands, Vumbura Plains in the Okavango Delta, Joburg, Vic Falls Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Nomad at Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks), Rwanda (Kigali and Singita at Volcanoes National Park). Ubuntu did an absolutely amazing job in arranging the trip. They were with us every step of the way. Excellent team and service! CDTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Could not ask for a better safari firm. No stone is left unturned and you always feel like you can get answers, day or night! This is my second time using Ubuntu and I highly recommend them.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had the BEST experience with Ubuntu planning our South Africa trip! From the beginning, they were so easy to work with and were amazing at communicating with us both before and during the trip. They put together the perfect itinerary for us with safari at two different lodges, time on Benguerra Island, and we even decided to add Franschhoek a couple of months before we left. They made everything so easy and somehow managed to make the entire trip feel completely seamless. One of the biggest things that stood out was how responsive they were when we had our international flight canceled. I literally just had to send them a WhatsApp message with our new flight information, and they immediately took care of rearranging everything for us. We never had to stress about figuring out transfers or logistics ourselves. They even had porters meet us at every airport, so we barely had to think about our luggage or where we were supposed to go. We truly felt taken care of every step of the way. It was honestly the trip of a lifetime, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are already talking about when we can go back and will 100% be using Ubuntu again to plan our next trip. Highly, highly recommend them!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Fantastic serviceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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!