Cottar’s 1920s Camp, Masai Mara, Stepping Into the Soul of Kenya

Cottar’s 1920s Camp, Masai Mara — Stepping Into the Soul of Kenya

There are places in the world that leave a mark on your heart long before you ever arrive. For me, Cottar’s 1920s Camp has been one of those places for almost my entire travel career, a career that spans nearly three decades of exploring extraordinary destinations. It’s iconic, revered, and spoken about with a sense of awe by seasoned safari lovers. Now, having finally experienced it for myself, I can say with absolute certainty that it is every bit as magical as I imagined… and more.

A Journey That Feels Effortless From the Start

The Cottar’s experience begins long before you step foot in camp. When I arrived in Nairobi, I was welcomed with seamless VIP fast track service at immigration, swift, warm, and completely stress free. From there it was a short transfer to Wilson Airport where Cottar’s guests escape the hustle of the main terminal and instead use the calm, comfortable Governors’ terminal. A 40 minute light aircraft flight carried me across Kenya’s captivating landscapes before we touched down on Cottar’s private airstrip. Waiting to greet us stood our Maasai warrior guide and expert spotter, their presence as powerful as the landscape itself. Within minutes we were travelling through the red dirt tracks of their private conservancy, surrounded by endless plains and that unmistakable feeling of Africa in the air.

A Step Back in Time ,  And Yet Completely Timeless

Arriving at Cottar’s 1920s Camp is like stepping into a beautifully preserved moment in history. Canvas tents adorned with vintage trunks, brass details, soft lantern light, and campaign furniture create an atmosphere of pure safari romance. But what truly sets Cottar’s apart is the heart of the place: its people. The staff are intuitive, warm, and genuinely caring, welcoming you with the kind of affection usually reserved for family. Within minutes the camp felt familiar; within hours it felt like home. That is the magic that only Cottar’s can create.

A Conservancy That Feels Entirely Your Own

One of the greatest joys of staying at Cottar’s is its exclusivity. The camp sits within its own 7,600 acre private conservancy, shared with just one other camp many kilometres away. This gives game drives a rare intimacy no queues of vehicles, no crowds, just you, your guide, and the wildlife of Kenya at its most authentic. It also allows for special experiences not permitted in the national reserve, such as night drives, off road exploration in certain areas, and unforgettable bush dinners and breakfasts under open African skies. And when you wish to enter the Masai Mara itself, you do so via a private side gate, bypassing the congestion of the main entrances entirely.

A Wealth of Experiences, All Included

Cottar’s offers an astonishing depth of experiences, 22 in total, all fully included in your stay. During my visit I enjoyed atmospheric game drives, peaceful bush walks, archery with the Maasai warriors, a meaningful village visit, the dreamiest outdoor bush bath imaginable, and a wonderfully aromatic Kenyan coffee tasting. I even had the opportunity to meet some of the incredible female rangers who protect this land. The beauty of Cottar’s is that everything unfolds at a gentle pace. Nothing feels rushed, and every activity becomes an invitation to connect more deeply with the Mara.

The Maasai ,  History, Heritage & Heart

The Maasai are the beating heart of this region. Their history stretches back centuries across the plains of Kenya and Tanzania, and their warrior culture rooted in courage, respect, and a profound bond with nature remains one of the world’s most fascinating. Traditionally, young Maasai morans would spend years living away from home, honing their tracking and survival skills, and protecting their communities from predators. Today, many channel that deep ancestral knowledge into conservation, guiding, and wildlife protection. Their ability to read the land, interpret animal behaviour, and share stories passed down through generations is nothing short of extraordinary. Time spent with the Maasai is one of the great privileges of visiting Kenya, and at Cottar’s the connection feels particularly genuine thanks to the family’s century long relationship with the local community.

Camp Life ,  Comfort Woven With Authenticity

Accommodation at Cottar’s is every bit as special as its story. Luxury canvas tents echo the elegance of a bygone era, while honeymoon tents offer privacy and romance wrapped in the hum of the wilderness. Families can enjoy spacious two bedroom tents, and those seeking the pinnacle of exclusivity will find it in the magnificent five bedroom Bush Villa. Fully staffed, complete with its own game vehicle and a beautiful infinity pool that melts into views of the Mara and across to the Serengeti, it offers a level of seclusion and sophistication that is hard to match anywhere in Africa.

A Safari Legacy Like No Other

The Cottar family have been crafting safari experiences for over 100 years, making them one of Africa’s oldest and most respected safari dynasties. That heritage is reflected in everything they do from guiding excellence and conservation leadership to the vintage details that infuse the camp with soul. Cottar’s has also received numerous awards for sustainability and community involvement, making it the perfect choice for travellers seeking meaningful, responsible luxury.

A Place That Calls You Back

This was my second visit to the Mara in ten months, and I already know it won’t be long before I return again. Kenya has a way of calling you back, its light, its wildlife, its people, its vastness. And Cottar’s 1920s Camp? It becomes part of you. Once you’ve experienced it, you carry it with you.

If you’re dreaming of a safari that is authentic, exclusive, deeply personal, and full of atmosphere, then Cottar’s is the place I would wholeheartedly recommend. It is more than a camp; it is a feeling, a memory waiting to be made, a story waiting to unfold.