Last updated: July 2026
Cottar's 1920s Camp is an 11-tent luxury safari camp in the Olderkesi Conservancy, bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Its cream-canvas suites pair 1920s campaign style with en-suite bathrooms, guided safari access and a private-conservancy setting. Families receive a complimentary private vehicle and guide when staying in family tents.
Cottar's 1920s Camp at a Glance
- Type: Tented Camp
- Location: Olderkesi Conservancy, Maasai Mara
- Rates from: USD 860 per person
- Class: 5-star
- Best time: June to October; November to December
- Best for: Families, honeymooners and classic-safari enthusiasts
About Cottar's 1920s Camp
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a luxury tented safari camp with 11 individual cream-canvas tents in the Olderkesi Conservancy, bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. The accommodation mix comprises five double tents, four family-sized tents and two honeymoon tents. Every tent has an en-suite bathroom, and the camp is arranged so that tents are private and quiet. This is a small-scale Mara stay built around guided safari time, vintage design and the additional space of a conservancy location.
Cottar's 1920s Camp sits in the Olderkesi Conservancy, described in the research as a private conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve and near the Tanzanian border. The setting gives the camp access to the conservancy as well as the national reserve. Its location is a meaningful distinction for travellers who want a quieter base than a camp positioned only within the busier reserve circuit, while retaining the Mara’s wildlife focus.
Cottar's 1920s Camp takes its character from early safari-era design rather than a contemporary lodge aesthetic. The tents are furnished in a classic 1920s style, with campaign furniture, antique trunks, Persian rugs, brass fittings and vintage photographs reported in the research. Shared spaces include a bar, dining room, Explorer’s Tent and firepit. The result is a deliberate period look, supported by modern essentials such as en-suite bathrooms, Wi-Fi, a shared pool and a small spa tent.
Cottar's 1920s Camp is associated with the Cottar family, whose safari-hosting history in Kenya spans five generations according to the supplied research. The camp’s differentiator is not simply its period interiors: it combines family-specific safari arrangements with private-conservancy access. Families occupying family tents receive a complimentary private safari vehicle and guide, while other guests can use the shared vehicle and expert guide or arrange private guiding as an add-on.
Cottar's 1920s Camp suits travellers seeking a classic Maasai Mara safari with facilities beyond the tent, including a small gym tent, pool pavilion, organic garden and spa. Honeymoon tents make the camp relevant for couples, while its four family tents and dedicated family guiding arrangement give it practical appeal for multigenerational trips. Proven Adventures can match the tent type and rate period to the kind of Mara safari you want.
Highlights
- Eleven private cream-canvas tents
- Olderkesi Conservancy safari setting
- Family tents include private guiding
- Shared pool, spa and gym
- 1920s campaign-style interiors
- Night drives and bush walks
Rooms & Suites at Cottar's 1920s Camp
Double Tent
Double Tents are among the 11 individual cream-canvas tents at Cottar's 1920s Camp. The camp has five double tents, each privately positioned and fitted with an en-suite bathroom. Research describes the interiors as 1920s style, using campaign furniture, antique trunks, Persian rugs, brass fittings and vintage photographs.
Family Tent
Family Tents provide the camp’s family-sized accommodation, with four in the published tent mix. Each has an en-suite bathroom and private positioning within camp. Families staying in these tents receive a complimentary private safari vehicle and guide, a specific benefit not stated for the standard double-tent arrangement.
Honeymoon Tent
Honeymoon Tents are the two couple-focused tents within Cottar's 1920s Camp’s 11-tent collection. They have en-suite bathrooms and the same cream-canvas, vintage safari design direction as the camp. The research confirms their honeymoon designation but does not publish dimensions, bed configuration or a separate amenity list.
Food & Drink
Camp dining room
The camp dining room is the main indoor dining space, paired with a bar for drinks and pre- or post-safari time. Cottar’s Safaris describes meals as gourmet dining, but the supplied research does not publish a fixed menu, meal timetable or named chef.
Bush meals and picnics
Bush dining changes the setting rather than the food standard, with picnics and meals in wild locations described by Cottar’s Safaris. These experiences complement dining at camp and should be confirmed for the dates booked, as weather and safari plans can affect arrangements.
Forage-to-Fork dining
Forage-to-Fork is Cottar’s food-led experience, using local ingredients sourced from regional farms and bush surroundings. It reflects the camp’s stated interest in ingredients and setting, although the research does not specify whether it operates daily or carries a supplement.
Family dining
Family dining is presented as part of the camp’s family-focused stay. The research confirms family tents and family dining experiences, but does not state separate children’s menus, dining hours or dietary procedures; share dietary needs at enquiry stage.
Activities & Experiences
Guided game drives. Guided game drives explore the Olderkesi Conservancy and access the Maasai Mara National Reserve. A shared safari vehicle and expert safari guide are listed among camp amenities; a private vehicle and guide are available as an add-on and are complimentary for families staying in family tents.
Night game drives. Night game drives are available in the conservancy setting, adding a chance to look for wildlife after dark. The research confirms night drives as a camp experience but does not state whether they are included in every rate.
Bush walks. Bush walks offer a slower, ground-level way to experience the Mara landscape with safari guidance. The camp is associated with walking safaris, although the supplied research does not confirm a standard inclusion or minimum age.
Maasai cultural visits. Maasai village visits provide a cultural experience connected to the Olderkesi community setting. Guests should ask when booking about timing, community arrangements and any additional charge, as these details are not specified in the research.
Forage-to-Fork experience. Cottar’s Safaris describes a Forage-to-Fork dining experience using ingredients from regional farms and bush surroundings. It is a food-focused safari activity rather than a named restaurant, with availability best confirmed before travel.
Bush spa treatments. The bush spa provides massage-focused downtime between safari activities. The research confirms a small spa tent and massages, but does not confirm treatment menus, duration or whether treatments are included in the nightly rate.
E-bike rides. E-bike rides are identified among experiences at Cottar’s 1920s Camp. This is an active way to see the Maasai Mara environment; ask about route conditions, guide arrangements and any extra cost before confirming it.
Olderkesi Conservancy and Maasai Mara
Cottar's 1920s Camp is based in the Olderkesi Conservancy, a private conservancy bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve. This position matters because the camp’s safari programme can use the conservancy setting while retaining access to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Research also places Olderkesi near the Tanzanian border and describes the wider area as bordering the Serengeti and Loliondo reserves. The camp is not presented as a city hotel or a reserve gate lodge; it is a remote safari base. Travellers should choose it for wilderness time, guided wildlife viewing and conservancy-based privacy rather than for walkable shops or urban conveniences.
Getting there from Nairobi
Cottar's 1920s Camp is reached through a safari itinerary, but the supplied research does not publish a verified driving time from Nairobi, a flight duration, road condition or current transfer price. Certain researched 2026 all-inclusive rates include private-airstrip transfers, which makes air access a relevant booking question. Road and air arrangements can vary with the itinerary, weather and current operating plans. Proven Adventures will confirm the live transfer plan, collection point and luggage guidance before travel. Do not rely on generic Mara journey times when planning a connection, especially if you are combining the camp with another Kenyan destination.
Best time for a Maasai Mara safari
Cottar's 1920s Camp has a clearly researched peak window from 15 June to 31 October 2026, labelled peak or migration season in the supplied rate research. The same research lists 1 November to 19 December 2026 as shoulder season. Those dates are useful planning anchors, not a promise of a particular wildlife sighting, river crossing or weather pattern. Research supplied for this page does not provide a month-by-month wildlife calendar for January through May or late December. If your dates are flexible, use the June-to-October period for the documented peak window and November-to-December for the documented shoulder window.
2026 rates and what is included
Cottar's 1920s Camp has a researched shoulder-season rate from USD 860 per person per night for 1 November to 19 December 2026. The same source lists USD 2,000 per person per night from 15 June to 31 October 2026. These figures are useful from-rates rather than a blanket quotation, because availability, tent choice and exact inclusions require confirmation. The researched all-inclusive package includes accommodation, all meals, local drinks, safari activities and private-airstrip transfers. Private vehicles and guides are an add-on for most stays, but are complimentary for families staying in family tents. Proven Adventures will verify the current booking terms in writing.
Who Cottar's 1920s Camp suits
Cottar's 1920s Camp is particularly practical for families because it has four family-sized tents and includes a private vehicle and guide for families occupying them. That arrangement allows a family to shape its own game-drive pace rather than follow a shared-vehicle schedule. Couples can select from two honeymoon tents, while five double tents suit pairs travelling without the family-specific arrangement. The camp also suits travellers who value period safari design: campaign furniture, antique trunks, Persian rugs and brass fittings are central to its identity. It is less suitable for travellers seeking a conventional resort programme, city access or guaranteed wildlife encounters.
What a day at camp involves
A stay at Cottar's 1920s Camp centres on safari activity rather than a fixed resort timetable. The listed facilities support a rhythm of guided game drives, time in camp and meals in the dining room or bush setting. Between drives, guests can use the shared swimming pool, pool pavilion, small gym tent, spa tent, bar, firepit and Explorer’s Tent. The research confirms these spaces but does not publish exact drive departure times, meal times or daily schedules. Families in family tents can benefit from their complimentary private vehicle and guide when shaping their day. Ask Proven Adventures to confirm how your selected rate handles private versus shared safari activity.
Conservation and community connections
Cottar's 1920s Camp is linked to an environmentally responsible ethos and operates within a community conservancy setting. The camp’s organic garden and Forage-to-Fork experience give tangible support to its food story, using ingredients from regional farms and bush surroundings. Cultural activities include Maasai village visits, which connect guests with the community context of the Olderkesi Conservancy. Research also identifies conservation-related experiences, including a vulture or raptor rehabilitation experience and contact with an all-female conservation group, but does not confirm their frequency or standard inclusion. Treat these as enquiry-led options rather than guaranteed daily activities.
Practical planning tips
Cottar's 1920s Camp provides Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms and shared leisure facilities, but it remains a remote tented safari camp. Pack for changing outdoor conditions, early or late safari activity, sun exposure and time around the pool or firepit; the supplied research does not publish a formal packing list. The research also does not state a child-age policy, vaccination requirements, medical facilities, tent power arrangements or Wi-Fi speed. Families should confirm age suitability for bush walks and E-bike rides before committing to activities. Travellers with dietary, accessibility or essential connectivity needs should raise them during the enquiry rather than assume a standard arrangement.
Choosing the right Kenya itinerary
Cottar's 1920s Camp should be chosen for its Olderkesi Conservancy location, 11-tent scale and 1920s campaign style rather than treated as interchangeable with every Mara property. Mara Intrepids Tented Camp is a separate Maasai Mara accommodation choice, so its location, tent inventory, guiding format and current inclusions should be assessed independently. Diani Beach is a coastal destination and not a like-for-like Mara safari alternative, though it can form a contrasting beach extension after the bush. The supplied research does not provide a verified feature-by-feature comparison with either place. Proven Adventures can compare confirmed, current arrangements across a complete Kenya route.
Book with Proven Adventures
Proven Adventures can arrange Cottar's 1920s Camp around the rate period, tent category and safari format that fit your trip. Start by sharing your dates, group composition and whether private guiding is essential. We will confirm live availability for double, family or honeymoon tents, clarify the inclusions attached to the quoted rate and check the appropriate transfer plan. This matters at Cottar's 1920s Camp because family tents have a specific complimentary private-vehicle and guide benefit, while private guiding is otherwise an add-on. We can also position the Olderkesi Conservancy stay within a wider Kenya itinerary without assuming unverified flight or transfer schedules.
Photos of Cottar's 1920s Camp
Amenities at Cottar's 1920s Camp
Tents & comfort
- En-suite bathrooms
- Private tent positioning
- Verandahs
- Vintage 1920s-style interiors
Dining & social spaces
- Bar
- Dining room
- Firepit
- Organic garden
- Explorer’s Tent
Wellness & leisure
- Shared swimming pool
- Pool pavilion tent
- Small spa tent
- Small gym tent
Safari & practical
- Shared safari vehicle
- Expert safari guide
- Private vehicle option
- Private guide option
- Wi-Fi
Family arrangements
- Family-sized tents
- Private vehicle for family tents
- Private guide for family tents
Cottar's 1920s Camp: Your Questions Answered
Where is Cottar's 1920s Camp located?
Cottar's 1920s Camp is in the Olderkesi Conservancy on the Maasai Mara National Reserve edge in Kenya. The conservancy borders the Maasai Mara and lies near the Tanzanian border, giving guests access to both the private conservancy setting and the reserve.
How many tents does Cottar's 1920s Camp have?
Cottar's 1920s Camp has 11 individual luxury cream-canvas tents. The published mix is five double tents, four family-sized tents and two honeymoon tents, all with en-suite bathrooms.
How much does a night at Cottar's 1920s Camp cost?
The lowest researched 2026 rate is USD 860 per person per night for the 1 November to 19 December shoulder period. That researched rate is described as all-inclusive for accommodation, meals, local drinks, safari activities and private-airstrip transfers; confirm dates and inclusions before booking.
What activities are available at Cottar's 1920s Camp?
Cottar's 1920s Camp lists guided game drives, bush walks, night drives, Maasai cultural visits and E-bike rides among its experiences. A shared vehicle and expert guide are listed as camp amenities, while private guiding is an add-on except for families in family tents.
Is Cottar's 1920s Camp good for families?
Families staying in Cottar's 1920s Camp family tents receive a private vehicle and guide on a complimentary basis. The camp has four family-sized tents and also offers family dining experiences.
Does Cottar's 1920s Camp have a swimming pool and spa?
Cottar's 1920s Camp has a shared swimming pool, a small spa tent and a small gym tent. The camp also lists a pool pavilion tent, firepit and Explorer’s Tent among its shared spaces.
How do I get to Cottar's 1920s Camp from Nairobi?
The supplied research does not publish a Nairobi-to-camp road time, flight schedule or transfer cost. The rate research identifies private-airstrip transfers in certain all-inclusive packages, so Proven Adventures can confirm the appropriate current routing for your travel dates.
When is the best time to visit Cottar's 1920s Camp?
The research identifies 15 June to 31 October as the 2026 peak or migration period, with 1 November to 19 December shown as shoulder season. These are the clearest published seasonal windows for planning a stay, although wildlife is not guaranteed on any date.
Is there Wi-Fi at Cottar's 1920s Camp?
Cottar's 1920s Camp provides Wi-Fi in shared camp amenities. The research does not state speed, coverage inside every tent or reliability, so travellers needing continuous work connectivity should confirm their requirements before booking.
What type of accommodation is Cottar's 1920s Camp?
Cottar's 1920s Camp is a luxury tented camp, not a conventional hotel. Its 11 en-suite canvas tents use a 1920s safari style, while shared facilities include dining, a bar, pool, spa tent and safari guiding arrangements.
