Calvin Cottar
GOLD LEVEL GUIDE, DIRECTOR & OWNER
Calvin is the fourth generation of East Africa’s oldest family-run safari business. Having been guiding in the African bush since he was 15, he’s been awarded the Best Guide in Africa on several occasions (as well as being a KPSGA Gold Guide) and is regularly interviewed by the press, authors, and conservation enthusiasts.
Douglas Nagi
GOLD LEVEL GUIDE & DIRECTOR
‘Delta November’ as he’s fondly called: the man who holds us all together. Nothing seems to ruffle his feathers, he’s always ready with a helping hand and has a wealth of knowledge on numerous topics.
Enock Sayagie
SILVER LEVEL GUIDE
Our calm and wise, undercover hero. One of the nicest people you will ever be lucky enough to meet, Enock handles himself with all the grace and grandeur that you would expect from a stoic Maasai Warrior.
Josphat Mako
BRONZE LEVEL GUIDE
Mister FAN-TASTIC! Just wait, you’ll have a new best friend in no time, you can’t help it, Mako is just so much fun to be around. Born in the Mara, Mako joined Cottar’s initially as a trainee, then he learned how to drive, became a spotter and studied to become a guide (and also learnt English in the process).
Letura Kanae
BRONZE LEVEL GUIDE
Determined with a great sense of humour, is how to describe Letura; did you know that he ran the New York Marathon (a few years back, but still) AND with a smile on his face! He started at Cottar’s as a tracker/spotter, and was determined to become a guide which he has done effortlessly.
Joseph Ole Mpoe
SILVER LEVEL GUIDE
The best type of guide, so excited by what his home has to offer that he can’t wait to share it with anyone and everyone. Always looking for the next adventure…and usually finding it! “I have always loved what I do, and I always say that it’s the best office to wake up to.
Wilson Tumake Mpatiani
BRONZE LEVEL GUIDE
Strike a pose! A true performer – he leads our Maasai talks at camp and did a lot of modelling for the famous Anthony Russell (ask him to show you the fabulous photos). Our newest guide, he’s worked his way up with an astonishing amount of energy and merriment that you’ll soon be swept up in it.
Kinyaika
POACHER TURNED TRACKER
Kinyaika is of the Wakamba tribe, born in the Ithumba area next to Tsavo East National Park. He grew up in a subsistence hunting family due to the harsh area not suitable for farming or livestock.
Cottar’s Heads of Departments
Amos Were
CAMP ACCOUNTS AND HR
Amos’ Father – Francis has worked for the Cottar family for over 35 years and is still with us! Francis is part of the family so when his son applied for a job there was no question he would be a superb addition to the team.
Peris Aloyo
ASSISTANT CAMP MANAGER
Peris joined us in 2017 in our environmental management department and is also in charge of our guests’ experience. Prior to joining Cottars in 2017, she was a volunteer at Ecotourism Kenya under the standards and best practices program.
Grace Linti
FRONT OFFICE & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATOR
What can’t Grace do, that’s the question you should be asking. Grace is the ‘front office’ at camp and the content supervisor and on-ground content creator for Cottar’s social media. She is extremely efficient, energetic and always willing to help with whatever you may need.
Boniface Muhati
HEAD CHEF
Our supremely talented and all round nice guy, Head Chef Bonny. His culinary career was inspired early on by his Mum’s love and respect for classical British cuisine and her baking skills. His chocolate tart is what dreams are made of, you must try his Tree Tomato Sorbet, oh and the peach chocolate.
William Otsieka
MESS SUPERVISOR
William (Will I Am) always has the biggest smile to welcome you to the dining table whether this table is in the camp, on the side of a hill or by a waterfall, William will have the table looking like you are on a movie set and will make you feel so incredibly welcome and warm!
Tana Pike
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
For us at Cottar’s, if there’s ever anything we need, then Tana’s the person we call. She knows how to manage the team fairly and get the job or jobs (let’s be honest there are usually numerous) done. She often works too hard, but knows how to enjoy a good glass of red wine too, and has a wicked sense of humour to boot.
Louise Cottar
DIRECTOR AND OWNER
Louise Cottar is a co-owner and Managing Director of Cottar’s Safaris and Cottar’s Safari Services. Louise has a degree in International Business and a Masters in Business.
Karen Darnborough
HEAD OF MARKETING
Karen grew up on the Kenyan coast in the idyllic village of Watamu where her parents owned and ran a small hotel for most of her childhood. She went to secondary school in South Africa and then University in the UK, but couldn’t stay away from her home, Kenya.
Elle Reinink
UK & EUROPEAN MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE
Elle has a phenomenal 25-year history in representation and her current clients include Ellerman House, Leeu Collection and Royal Chundu. She also works with the online itinerary-building platform Safari Portal.
Brooke Berlin
NORTH AMERICAN MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE
Founder of Karoo Consulting, a company focused on promoting travel to Africa and supporting conservation and community non-profits, Brooke has been exploring the continent for 15+ years and has been to 19 of Africa’s 54 countries, most multiple times. As of 2022, she has collectively traveled to 60+ countries on 5 continents.
Tanya Leakey
CAMP MANAGER
Tanya grew up in a pretty remote part of Kenya, so being outdoors and in the bush is where she’s always felt most at home and at her happiest. She’s travelled quite extensively in and around Africa, but specifically in Kenya, “the Maasai Mara is high on the list of incredible places, there is something truly magical about it…”
Liz Kamau
Head of Reservations
Andrew McEwan / Africa in Focus
SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE
Andrew, with a deep-seated passion for exclusive and distinctive tourism offerings, is the visionary force behind Africa In Focus. Having started this venture in 2005, he established it as a dynamic marketing and representation company for premier establishments in Southern Africa.
Mamma Naishuro Batian
RESIDENT EXPERT MAASAI BEADER
Mamma Naishuru is a widowed grandmother and our resident expert Maasai beader. She was born in the early 70’s and has been living within the Olderkesi area since childhood. She has been part of the Cottar’s team for about twelve years and finds joy in doing beadwork and aspires to learn more jewellery designs and also, advance her skills through formal training.
