Cottar’s Camp is a really a legendary camp and has been around since the 1920’s when Charles Cottar, the name behind the legacy, together with his sons established the camp deep in the heart of Africa. To this day, the camp is committed to recreating the golden age of safari and the experience is unsurpassable and truly unique.
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Ecorating: 4.0
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
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This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Sample Itinerary
The activities at Cottar’s are tailored to give you the most authentic African safari experiences with a guiding style that is different from other safari operators. Here they emphasize the quality not the quantity of the wilderness and wildlife, the emotional intelligence of the guide to become your friend in a short time, and to have guests appreciate and join the pace of the wilderness.
Each new sunrise starts with hot coffee brought to your tent before going out on an early morning game drives across Cottar’s conservancy, the Maasai Mara. You and your masai guide look for signs of animals and follow their tracks and maybe discover the prey of last night. It’s all about survival of the fittest.
There is little that can match the aesthetic appeal of a huge colourful balloon rising like an airborne lollipop out of the pre-dawn darkness into the first rays of the sun. Gently hovering over the Mara seeing the savannah come alive.
At Cottar’s Camp, there are 11 tents (and a house large enough to accommodate a family). Though large and luxurious, the tents rustle in the wind and you can hear wild animals moving around outside. There’s a full bathroom and shower inside the tent, but also antique metal tubs just outside, where guests can take a bath while gazing at animals on the plains below. Meals are taken together at a long wooden dining room table in a communal tent decorated with decades of safari memorabilia
The tents are furnished in the same fashion. Four-poster beds, African rugs, wooden rocking chairs and other beautiful period pieces. Everything adds up to creating a homey, original safari ambience.
Cottar’s Camp are suited for everyone, wether you are on a honeymoon or a family traveling, the camp is designed to give everyone space and privacy. Children will love this place, since the Masai truly adore children and will teach them all secrets about wildlife.
So just relax and enjoy the safari experience of a lifetime.
Trip details
Ecorating: 4.0
Season: June – April
Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Included: Sharing a double luxury tent, full board including water, sodas and the house beer/wine, 2 game drives per day, park fees for Masai Mara.
Not included: Visa, insurance, meals and drinks not mentioned, activities, tipping, vaccinations, items of personal nature etc.
Good to know about Kenya & Masai Mara: It is a big nature reserve in southwestern Kenya that is the continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Masai Mara is named after the Masai people (the indigenous people in the area) and they once described their land, while looking from a far distance, as: “Maa” (Masai language) which represents “Mara” and means “Spot”. It is a compelling description of trees, shrubs, savannah and cloud shadows that marked the area of never ending steppes.
Travel Ethics: In Masai Mara, water is a short supply. Therefor, use it sparingly. Masais are proud people, always ask before photographing. Bring small notes in local currency to shop for local crafts outside the villages. Shake hands with those you meet – a courtesy code here.
Mobile network and email: Email and internet access are available at the lodge. The mobile network works well. Basecamp management ask guests to use it discreetly.
Visa: Visitors to Kenya require a visa (some countries that are exempt). The passport must have at least two blank pages, six months’ validity. Single-entry visas are available upon arrival at Kenyan airports; however, Kenyan Immigration plans to end visas upon arrival in the near future. The traveler is responsible for the visa application.
You can either obtain a visa before departure or apply for a Kenyan visa online.
Currently, the application online is for “Single entry”. Visitors are requested to register their application in good time, as approval may take up to seven business days to process.
E-application: Applications for visitors to Kenya can be done via www.ecitizen.go.ke
Time zone: GMT + 3
Vaccinations: Read more about what vaccinations you need here.
Packing: On safari In Masai Mara you are usually 13-1500m above sea level, nights and evenings can be chilly. Bring a warmer sweater and good walking shoes. It’s advisable to bring a smaller backpack for water, binoculars, camera. Soft bags are easier to pack in the cars you travel in, please note that domestic flights have a max luggage allowance of 15kg pp.
Mosquito nets are available, but please bring mosquito spray.
Local Currency: Kenyan Shilling
Note: Kenya has recently introduced a ban on plastic bags and your bags will be checked as you enter customs upon arrival. Carrying plastic bags or bringing them into the country can cause big fines.
Weather: Weather Masai Mara
Water: Clean water is available at the camp.
Security: Your security is our priority. In Nairobi, do not walk around alone and avoid some places in Down Town.
More information at: Travel Advice Kenya
Ecorating: 4.0
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Does my trip make a difference?
Read more
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Cottar’s 1920s Camp and Bush Villa is only one of ten accredited Global Ecosphere Retreats (GER’s) within the world. GER’s directly manage or influence a natural area of significant global conservation value, and, demonstrate their ability and commitment to achieve sustainability through the 4Cs (conservation, community, culture and commerce). Cottar’s Camp take sustainability seriously. The camp is also rated Gold by the Ecotourism Society of Kenya and has won a Green Globe Award from the World Travel Market.
