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Welcome to Cottar's Safaris

Cottar’s Safaris is a portfolio of two transformative properties in the Maasai Mara area in Kenya that work with the local community to unite wildlife conservation and sustainable luxury travel. We are a 5th-generation family-run safari company that has been operating safaris in Africa for more than 100 years. Our 1920s Camp and Private Bush Villa are located in the private Olderkesi Conservancy, which borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

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Cottar’s 1920s Camp

Vintage luxury at its best, the award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp has its own 7608-acre private conservancy and is situated one kilometre from the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Tanzania Serengeti game reserve.

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Cottar’s Bush Villa

Elegant and unforgettable, the only real luxury private villa in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. Cottar’s Bush Villa recently won the World Travel Award for Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa 2016 and is Global Eco-sphere Retreat accredited.

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Cottar’s Experiences

The Cottar family provide genuinely stunning wildlife and wilderness experiences, engaging in the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’: an abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy, and the highest standards of professional guiding, in a luxurious and authentic safari environment.

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Our motivation goes far deeper than simply providing a place to stay. As a fellow member of The Long Run, we operate under the guidelines of The Long Run’s 4Cs: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce and are one of less than a dozen Global Ecosphere Retreats in the world. Each guest’s visit contributes directly to the sustainability of our conservation and social development efforts. These include the restoration of the natural environment to a pristine condition, re-establishment and protection of biological diversity, anti-poaching, on-site research and rehabilitation projects, the provision of healthcare services and a local preschool.

Situated in the untouched exclusive Olderkesi Conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Loliondo reserves, the area guarantees privacy and an abundance of wildlife. Our 1920s Camp provides the romance of safari under eleven cream canvas tents, spacious and luxuriously furnished in the style of the bygone era of the twenties. Our private Bush Villa boasts 5 en-suite bedrooms, amazing views over the Masai Mara, a 25m private pool, a private chef and guides. Both properties extend an era of luxury and quality, as we return to the original spirit and essence of “safari”, reminiscent of a golden era; an era of romance, professional guiding, adventure and elegance. Our low-impact, high-value approach to sustainable ecotourism helps fund the vital work that is conserving land for biodiversity.

Follow The Leaders - The Cottar clan is referred to in the book as the First Family of the safari business. If you want to track the safari bloodline, you go to Cottar’s.

Travel + Leisure: World’s best awards

Trekking Into Africa - Over the years, Cottars has guided royalty, sports figures, assorted tycoons, and scores of more down-to-earth types on safaris completely tailored to meet their needs and desires.

Bloomberg

Into the Bush with the best - If you ask Africa to name the best guides, Cottar appears at the top of every list.

Conde Nast Traveler

THE 150 BEST PLACES ON EARTH - Winner ‘Best Tented Camp in the World'. Cottar’s Safari Camp is sublime: pure Out of Africa. The golden age of safari is recreated in a heady cocktail of marquee tents, antique furnishings and liveried staff.

Harpers Abroad

15 of the Best Safaris in Africa - “...great for uncrowded wildlife sightings”

The Times

Have Incredible Activities for Children — and Parents, Too. Many safari camps across Africa can tailor programs to younger guests — but few can rival what they’ve got at Cottar’s 1920s Camp, in Kenya. Its Maasai Warrior School gives children a taste of wildlife tracking and traditional beading — and also teaches entomology by way of a search for the “Little Five,” a group of notable insects.

Travel + Leisure

Cottar's Safaris Special Offers

4 Nights for the Price of 3

4 nights for the price of 3 at Cottar’s 1920s Camp or Cottar’s Bush Villa

Applicable on accommodation rates only (excludes conservancy & park fees) and not combinable with other offers. For new bookings only, during Private Season: 1st November – 19th December 2025; 11 January – 31 May 2026.

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Honeymoon Offer

50% off one partner’s accommodation at Cottar’s 1920s Camp only (excludes Cottar’s Bush Villa)

Minimum stay of 4 nights. Applicable on accommodation rates only (excludes conservancy & park fees) and not combinable with other offers. For new bookings only, during Private Season: 1st November – 19th December 2025; 11 January – 31 May 2026.

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Culinary Safari

An Epicurean Safari Expedition in The Maasai Mara.

Taking place from 9th to 14th December 2025, this safari is a dream for culinary explorers seeking a unique combination of thrilling wildlife encounters, gastronomic adventure, meaningful community engagement, and impactful conservation.

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Budding Conservationist

Conservation, sustainability and family lie at the heart of Cottar’s Safaris; values embodied in their new ‘Budding Conservationist’ programme.

Cottar’s Safaris’ Budding Conservationist experiences will inspire, enthral and educate children about the importance of the environment, and the need to help protect the flora and wildlife within it.

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Winners of

- 2024BestEcologicallyResponsibleSafariPropertyWinner
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- 2024MostRomanticSafariPropertyThirdPlace
- 2024BestCommunityFocusedSafariPropertyThirdPlace
- Cottars Safaris Conder Nast Traveller Choice Awards 2024

Cottar’s Safaris is proudly associated with

Cottar's Safaris The Long Run
Black and white circular logo featuring an outline of the African continent in the center, with the text ‘Classic Safari Africa’ around the circle, and ‘CSA’ at the bottom.
Cottar's Safaris - ATTA

We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose