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
Dry Season⊕: July to October
Green Season⊕: November to March
CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY
Cottar’s Wildlife Conservation Trust
Working with the African Wildlife Foundation to rewild the conservancy after cattle farming. Projects include a vulture rehabilitation programme, an all-women ranger team, leasing more land for conservation and community outreach via women’s groups, school feeding schemes and building classrooms and paying teachers’ salaries at Olpalagilagi Primary School. With Bridging the Gap Africa, a footbridge was built over the Sand River so villagers can safely access amenities
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.