Accommodation

Cottar’S 1920s Safari Camp

Ol Derkesi Community Conservancy | Kenya

Enquire now

Highlights

What We Love

True ‘bush baths’ with old-fashioned tubs set up overlooking the wilderness
Foraging for fresh produce with Maa guides and enjoying the resulting meal
Special talks on raptors, wild dogs and pangolins by expert researchers

When To Visit

Peak Season: July to October
Migratory wildebeest dot the Mara’s plains in their hundreds of thousands and walking is more comfortable in the cooler weather
Green Season: November to March
By March, summer rains have turned the Mara a deep green, making for atmospheric photos

Overview

It’s true that this unique camp dates to the 1920s – 1919 to be exact when the Cottars registered their safari enterprise. Touches of that golden era remain (think the occasional pith helmet and luggage trunk) but with a very strong conservation and service focus.

Being located in the exclusive Olderkesi Conservancy means you have more than 3 000 hectares to yourself. In addition to exploring on foot and by vehicle, Cottar’s offers unique activities like wild seed dispersal for reforestation, a medicinal plant walk, guided foraging, swimming at the waterfall and – the most Instagrammable of all – a true safari bath in a traditional canvas ‘tub’, just how they used to do it in the 1920s! Family and honeymoon tents are available.