Select a drop-down to find out more about the Cottar’s Activities that Engage and Impact
One hour learning with female conservation rangers
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Support the only all-female ranger unit in the Maasai Mara and the important conservation, community and cultural breaking initiatives that they work on.
Description
Join the only all-female ranger unit in the Maasai Mara and understand their goals and key challenges. As maybe appropriate, participate in their daily activities patrolling, de-snaring, game-counting and liaison with the Maasai community.
Cost
Free with request for donation
Pangolin Talk
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Considered to be the world’s most trafficked (over 1 million being trafficked over the last 10 years). Pangolins are fascinating. Learn more about their behaviours, habitats, why they are illegally hunted and traded and what their connection to covid-19 is!
Description
The Pangolin Project researches pangolin numbers and behaviours and developing strategies to better protect and secure them. When available meet one of the Pangolin scouts to find out more.
Cost
Free
Conservancy Talk
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
The Olderekesi conservancy where Cottars camp is situated is owned by the Maasai community and is the only conservancy in the Maasai Mara that has not been subdivided. The conservancy is part of a bigger critical wildlife corridor for elephants who use it to disperse from the Mara to the Loita hills for food. Without this corridor, elephants would not have enough food to survive.
Description
Over a sun-downer drink learn of the work of the pioneering community conservancy of our area
Cost
Free
Medicinal Plant Walk and Talk
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Letilet is our in-house Il Torobo hunter-gatherer. A documentary on his life has had 9.2 million views of Youtube. Learn from a disappearing tribe, the medicinal values of the flora that surround us. This activity supports local knowledge and values biodiversity. Your support will help us in listing local flora medicinal uses.
Description
Learn of the widespread medicinal plants present in the Mara on an engaging and informative walk around the camp area.
Cost
Free
Mara Predator Project Experience
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
An ongoing and age-old conflict between the Maasai people and predators has resulted in lions being significantly affected resulting in a third population decline in the last two decades. The Mara Predator Project provides science for conservation on cheetahs and lions as well as enhancing understanding of the predator’s role within the broader ecosystem.
Description
We offer a range of Mara Predator Project experiences – from a one hour talk to sponsorship or a collar to (when and where possible) a half-day drive along with one of their researchers.
Cost
1-hour talk for free.
Half-day experience $780 per vehicle of guests
Carbon footprint, recycle and upcycle talk and experience
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Contribute to lowering our overall carbon footprint as Cottar’s 1920s Camp aims to be carbon neutral by 2024.
Description
We offer a range of Mara Predator Project experiences – from a one hour talk to sponsorship or a collar to (when and where possible) a half-day drive along with one of their researchers.
Cost
Free
Foraging with Letilet and foraged dining experience
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Learn of the unique natural wild food sources in the Maasai Mara. Values biodiversity and cultural understanding.
Description
Letilet has spent his life living off of the land. Walk with Letilet and gather seasonal interesting ingredients that our chef will develop into a wonderful tasting experience.
Cost
Free
Vulture Rehabilitation and Raptor talk/ experience
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
In just 30 years, more than half of the vulture population in Kenya’s Masai Mara has been decimated. Seven of Africa’s 11 vulture species are on the edge of extinction, and 90% of reported vulture deaths in Africa are from medicinal use and poisoning; vultures are often the unintended victims of poisoning incidents where humans place poison into carcasses to kill carnivores such as Lion.
Description
Visit the Kenya Birds of Prey Trust at the only vulture rehabilitation centre in the Masai Mara and learn how this keystone species maintain the functioning, health and resilience of the Maasai Mara inhabitants and ecosystem. Additionally and if time permits, learn about raptors in the Mara.
Cost
1 hour talk free
Half day vehicle of guests $780
Wild dog talk
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
In the early 90’s it was thought that wild dogs completely disappeared from the Masai Mara ecosystem due to conflict with humans and possible infections of rabies from dogs. The good news is that small wild dog populations are slowly on the rise and the Olderekesi area around Cottars is where one of the re-emerging wild dog packs roam.
Description
Whilst it’s rare to see wild dogs in the Masai Mara, we do have a body of fascinating research on their patterns of movement, key challenges and opportunities that present for this very fragile population. Join us for a short and engaging wild dog talk.
Cost
Free
Transect/identification of wildlife early morning walk
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Without ongoing surveys and monitoring schemes, we would not know which species are doing fine and which are declining or threatened with extinction. By monitoring and understanding what is important, we can all apply the limited resources for conservation on the species most at risk.
Description
Biodiversity monitoring is managed in our area by Cottars Wildlife Conservation Trust. Get an in-depth look and feel of what telemetry tracking and transect walks for vegetation mapping looks like in real terms.
Cost
Free
Talk on the culture and community of the Maasai people
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
The Maasai are one of the few tribes in east Africa never to have been enslaved and to this day retaining their colourful red clothing and their unique cultural traits – a semi-nomadic tribe that has lived – relative to other tribes – harmoniously and sustainably alongside wildlife.
Description
So many interactions with the Maasai community are ‘canned’. Unscripted and informal, learn from one of our Maasai guides on the culture of the Maasai and on key community traits. A fascinating and interactive experience.
Cost
Free
Elephant Collaring
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
If current poaching levels of Elephants continue in line with numbers from a 2012 survey, then the Mara Elephant population could cease to exist by 2030. Help the Mara Elephant Project monitor evaluate and protect Elephants
Description
Where possible, donate to purchase a collar to monitor Elephants. Where possible join the Mara Elephant Project to collar an Elephant. Subject to availability. Will require advance planning.
- Joining the MEP on an Elephant collaring excursion where you will fly with the veterinarian or in a helicopter nearby
- Being part on the ground team collaring an Elephant – helping to keep the Elephant cool and helping the vet
- Naming rights to the Elephant
- Returning to 1920’s camp where you will be given a short presentation by the MEP (Mara Elephant Project) team on the work they do and the work they are doing with CWCT.
- 3 years worth of access to the monitoring app where you can monitor your Elephant from anywhere in the world!
- The Elephant collared will be an individual who uses the corridor that CWCT is trying to protect and is vital to collect data on these important Elephants to help reduce the cases of Human-Wildlife Conflicts.
Cost
From $50,000 for a group of 6
The money will be split as follows: $25,000 to MEP and $25,000 to CWCT
E-Bikes
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Erosion is widespread in the Mara – primarily from too many vehicles and overgrazing by cattle. Lower your and our overall carbon footprint by taking an e-bike ride instead of a vehicle.
Description
Get up close with plains game ad out and about on our e-bikes and lower your footprint on the way. A wonderful and different way to explore the ecosystem around camp.
Cost
See current price list
4C Centre visit
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
The 4C Centre showcases conservation, cultural and community initiatives that are relevant to your stay. Engage, learn, ask and enrich your knowledge on sustainability.
Description
Join your guide for a walk around our interactive 4C Centre and learn about conservation, culture and community.
Cost
Free
History of Safari Talk
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
The Cottar family history is a history of the safari era and the family have contributed to some of the key evolutions of the safari industry. Learn about the past and how history is shaping a sustainable future.
Description
A fireside evening presentation on the history of safari and the history of the Cottar family.
Cost
Free
Stargazing
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Learn western and African interpretations of the African night sky and understand how the same view can elicit such illuminating and culturally different stories.
Description
The night skies of Kenya are phenomenal. Learn from our in-house astronomer (and Gold-Guide) on stars seen from the African equator.
Cost
Free
Reforestation seed dispersal activity
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Join us in working toward carbon neutrality for 2024 by learning about our reforestation and grassland renewal programme which offsets also erosion. Learn of the important tree species of the Maasai Mara.
Description
Erosion and area rehabilitation
Cost
First bag free, donations requested
Maasai Warrior School
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
The Maasai Warrior School showcases cultural and work skills a Maasai warrior needs in his daily life. Skills that are passed on from one generation to the next.
Description
Join our Maasai team and learn the skills of a Maasai warrior. An age-dependent engagement. For younger children, the Maasai warrior school includes fire-making; spear throwing; bow and arrow practice; Maasai jumping, dancing, singing and tracking.
For grown-us – it can be the same activities, or sit down and learn the roles and responsibilities of the Maasai community through their various age-groups.
Cost
Free
Game Walks or Run with a Maasai Warrior
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Lower your carbon foot-print and spend time learning more detailed, under-foot ecosystem functions
Description
A walk is a wonderful way to look at the smaller critters, take an interest in the plant diversity and see the wildlands at a slower pace.
For the more energetic travellers, morning or evening runs can be arranged with a local Maasai warrior as your guide.
Cost
Free
Game Drives
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Whilst game drives are a given whilst on safari, take the time whilst on a game drive to learn about the key challenges and opportunities that the Masai Mara presents. Ask questions of your guide and explore ways to further engage in sustainability. See the different terrains that the Mara has including savannahs, riverine, mountain ecosystems
Description
Game drives enable guests to get up close to wildlife and to traverse through different ecosystems. A must-do whilst on safari.
Cost
Free
Visit to Local School
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Cottars Wildlife Conservation Trust supports a local school of some 400 primary children. Your safari helps contribute to teachers salaries, the school feeding programme and the schools environmental club.
Description
Olpalagilagi school has 400 wonderful primary children. Visiting the school is an enriching experience – see how the children study, listen to the school choir and engage – an incredibly engaging experience.
Cost
Free
Professional Photography Experience
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Georgina Goodwin is an award-winning issues based photographer based at Cottars Wildlife Conservation Camp. Learn how to take meaningful photography and in doing so, a contribution of x% of your payment will be invested in conservation initiatives at Cottars Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Description
Professional photographer Georgina Goodwin can be seconded for either one hour, half or full-day session to support you in your photographic journey whilst on safari.
Cost
See separate price list
Bush Bath
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
This one does not matter! It’s a pampering treat and a nod to the historical culture of safaris!
Description
Melt away stress in Cottars famous bush baths.
Cost
Free
Visit our local Maasai Village
Which 4C Does it contribute to
Why Does it Matter?
Conservancy fees paid by guests are donated directly to the CWCT. The CWCT uses these funds to lease the 7608-acre Olderkesi Conservancy from the Maasai community. The Maasai community use these funds for their community and personal development. This is a unique conservation and community theory of change model for the Masai Mara and for Africa, in that the community have decided to not subdivide the land; it remains as one plot set aside for conservation.
Description
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.
Cost
$20 per person
