Cottar's 1920s Camp

Cottar’s 1920s Camp is a luxury safari camp in the Maasai Mara that recreates the romance and style of the golden age of safari travel. It is set in the Olderkesi Conservancy, which gives it a private, low-density safari feel while still offering access to the broader Mara ecosystem and migration routes.

Location & Setting

The camp is located in the Mara Southeast / Olderkesi Private Reserve area bordering the Maasai Mara, on a prime hillside position with wide views over the surrounding plains. That elevated setting matters because it gives the camp a sense of openness and space, while the private conservancy environment keeps vehicle traffic light compared with busier parts of the reserve. The combination of scenery, privacy, and wildlife access is one of the main reasons guests choose it.

Accommodation & Style

Cottar’s 1920s Camp has eleven vintage-style tented suites, and the camp includes standard tents, family suites, a honeymoon tent, and a separate homestead with five bedroom suites. The design is intentionally old-world, with antiques, sepia-toned photographs, and 1920s-inspired décor that give the camp a true period feel rather than a themed imitation. The tents are widely spaced, luxurious, and built to feel spacious and elegant while still firmly connected to the bush.

Rooms & Comfort

Guest units are large, with substantial bathrooms, canvas structures, and open views, and the family suites are especially generous, with multiple bedrooms and central lounge space. The camp also offers more private options through the Cottar’s Homestead, which can function independently for families or exclusive-use groups. The overall comfort level is high, but the atmosphere remains classic safari rather than modern resort.

Facilities & Dining

The camp includes a Moorish-style public tent with lounge and dining areas, a gift shop known as the Dapper Flapper, a campfire area, a pool with a separate mess tent, and spa services. Dining is known to be refined, with multi-course meals served in a setting that blends elegance and bush ambience. The public spaces are carefully designed to support a slow, stylish safari rhythm rather than a crowded lodge experience.

Safari Experience

Cottar’s offers game drives, walking safaris, mountain-bike safaris, night drives, bush meals, cultural visits, and conservation activities. Because it sits within a private conservancy, guests can enjoy a wider range of activities and a more flexible safari style than is often possible in the main reserve. It is particularly strong for travelers who want a deeper, more exclusive safari experience with strong guiding and fewer crowds.

Atmosphere & Service

The atmosphere is polished, romantic, and strongly nostalgic, with a clear emphasis on heritage and safari pedigree. Family ownership and a long history in the safari business contribute to the sense that this is a camp built on genuine tradition rather than decoration alone. Guests often describe it as a place that feels both luxurious and authentic, with the kind of service and setting that makes the experience memorable from start to finish.

Ideal For

Cottar’s 1920s Camp is ideal for couples, honeymooners, families, photographers, and travelers who want an elevated, private safari with a strong sense of history and style. It suits guests who appreciate vintage atmosphere, excellent guiding, and a conservancy setting where the safari feels personal and unhurried. For a Mara stay that combines romance, exclusivity, and old-world character, it is one of the standout choices.