Why stay here
Cottar’s 1920s Camp occupies a distinctive position on the south-eastern edge of the Greater Mara, within Olderkesi Conservancy and close to the boundaries of the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Loliondo landscapes. The family’s long safari history shapes the property, but the best reason to stay is its present-day access to a private conservancy.
The camp combines heritage styling with a broad range of conservation, cultural and active experiences. It is suitable for guests who want more than repeated vehicle loops yet still expect a high level of comfort.
Setting and safari character
Olderkesi is a community conservancy on the Mara’s quieter south-eastern side. Open grassland, seasonal streams and wooded country link with the wider transboundary ecosystem. Wildlife moves naturally across these borders, and game viewing varies with rain, grazing and local movement.
Private conservancy activities can include walks, night drives and conservation-focused visits under current camp arrangements. Access into the National Reserve is possible, but the distance means it should be planned selectively. A strong day in Olderkesi is often better than many hours spent commuting to a famous central area.
Rooms and camp life
The camp has eleven tents across luxury, family and honeymoon configurations. Interiors draw on an early safari aesthetic while providing contemporary comfort. A pool, spa, gym and the Explorer’s Tent give the property enough depth for longer stays and mixed-interest groups.
The breadth of experiences is unusual, ranging from walking and e-bikes to cultural and conservation activities. We select those that fit the traveller rather than filling the schedule simply because they are available.
Best for
Cottar’s works for families, private groups, couples and travellers interested in conservation history and community land use. It is especially useful for parties wanting active options beyond the vehicle. Guests focused solely on the Mara River or central migration crossings should choose a more strategically located Reserve or Triangle camp.
Access from Nairobi
The property has a private airstrip, normally followed by a short transfer of roughly fifteen to twenty minutes. Some services may use Keekorok, resulting in a considerably longer scenic drive and possible additional cost. We confirm the actual airstrip before booking and never present the shorter transfer as universal.
Road access from Nairobi is possible but long. It makes most sense as part of a private southern circuit, potentially linked with Amboseli or the northern Serengeti, subject to border and vehicle logistics.
How it combines
Cottar’s can be paired with a central Reserve camp, the Mara Triangle or a northern conservancy to show how the ecosystem changes from south-east to west or north. It also works in a Kenya–Tanzania itinerary when border routing is carefully designed. For families, a Kenyan coast stay provides a natural final chapter.
Wilderness Alternative note
We recommend Cottar’s when Olderkesi and the camp’s active programme suit the guest. We are careful about geography: this is not the base for every Mara objective. Used well, it offers space, a strong conservation story and a safari that feels considered rather than conventional.