Sanctuary Ananda
The award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp has its own 7608-acre private conservancy and is situated one kilometre from the famous ‘seventh’ natural wonder of the world, the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Tanzania Serengeti game reserve. Owned and managed by the oldest established and continuing safari family in Africa it extends an era of luxury and quality and returns to the original spirit and essence of ‘safari’.
Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp provides the vintage romance of safari under cream canvas tents, the style of the bygone era of the twenties, while at the same time supplying the amenities required by today’s modern world travellers and professional guides whose qualifications are the highest in Africa. Offering an abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy, and the highest standards of professional guiding in a luxurious and authentic camping environment
The camp has nine tents in total (one unique honeymoon tent, four double tents and four family suites), all with en suite bathrooms. The entire camp is situated to ensure that tents are private and quiet whether for honeymooners or families with young children.
The camp has two main mess tent areas for fine dining, drinking, reading and relaxing, and an amazing pool and spa where guests can relax after a game drive. Guests can also enjoy a safari bath or safari shower, a genuinely unique way of bathing specifically set up in the savannah. The location of the camp provides easy access for day and night game drives to the Masai Mara game reserve and the conservancy, game walks, and cultural interactions with the Maasai community.
Winners of numerous accolades, including ‘Best Tented Camp in the World’, Best small to medium enterprise in Africa, Fodor’s Travel Award in the Trip of a Lifetime category, Global Eco-sphere Retreat accredited and recipient of the Green Globe award for environmental practices, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp offers discerning travelers authentic and unique lifetime safari experiences.
Luxury Double Tents
The four luxury tents include private en-suite dressing room and bathroom, main bedroom with veranda.
Luxury Family Suite
These four luxury suites consist of 2 en-suite bedrooms with a shared sitting / dining room and include private en suite dressing room and bathroom, main bedroom with veranda and a living room with a fireplace. Please note that they are open-plan.
Honeymoon Tents
The luxury honeymoon tents include private en-suite dressing room and bathroom, main bedroom with veranda.
Day and Night Game Drives
We visit both inside the Masai Mara National Reserve and outside, in our Olderkesi Conservancy. You can do either morning, evening or all day game drives. Please note that viewing the main migration river crossings requires a full day out as they are located some way from camp. We believe that wildlife viewing should be a private , special and un-rushed experience
Guided Bush Walks
All walks are led by a professional guide and accompanied by a licensed gun bearer. Bush walks can start from camp or can be a part of a game drive. They give you the chance to view the unique ecosystem from a completely different perspective, and to learn about botany and entomology, and how to interpret animal tracks and signs. The walk can be as long or as short as you wish.
Sundowners and a Bush Dinner + Breakfast in the Bush
Dinner is setup out in the conservancy, under the vast African sky; with sundowners by the fire to start, followed by a three course meal, accompanied by the fantastic sounds of the wilderness at night.
Life of a Hunter-Gatherer walk
A journey into the vanishing world of Letilet the Maasai/Dorobo hunter-gatherer. Spend a few hours roaming the surrounding bush and savannah with Letilet and let him take you into his world of wonder, listen and learn from him about multiple facets of El Dorobo and Maasai traditions and everyday life. Discover his encyclopaedic knowledge of plants, particularly their medicinal uses which he learnt from his mother, who was a popular healer for most of her life.
Seedball Dispersal
You are given packets of Seedballs and as you drive or walk on your safari, please throw the seedballs out, one at a time. They are encased in a special coating which will activate at the right time for germination. Your packet contains approximately 225 indegenous tree, or grass or plant or flower seeds that are critical to the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
We are replenishing the tree species that are endangered in our area. Indirectly, we are also supporting species such as elephants, butterflies, bees and other insect life that is key to the biodiversity in this area. This year, our aim is to plant 30,000 indigenous trees. Your complimentary packet will help us get towards our target, thank you for helping our local ecosystem and helping Cottars become net positive!
Local School Visit
Spend a few hours visiting our local primary school, you will get to meet the children and sit in on a few classes if you wish, or join in on the daily football game. Something for those seeking a more engaging and immersive safari experience.
Maasai Warrior School (all ages)
Children and families are invited to learn the ways of a warrior with the African bush as your classroom. A session includes spear throwing ; bow and arrow practice; Maasai jumping, dancing and singing and tracking, depending on age and ability.
Maasai Singing and Dancing
Under the vast African sky, while enjoying an evening cocktails by the fire, guests get to enjoy the time-honoured celebration of song and dance by our local Maasai warriors. Plus, there's opportunities to purchase wonderfully hand-made traditional gifts.
Maasai Village Visit
Visit a Maasai Village and experience their rich culture. This involves a trip to their Manyattas (mud huts), village setup (security, healthcare, education and management of resources e.g. meals, water, firewood), local market with wonderful Maasai artefacts/attire for sale, their live-stock and much more. You will learn about ancient traditions as well as contemporary struggles and adaptations to modern life.
For information about Cottar's 1920's Camp click HERE.
For videos of Cottar's 1920's Camp click HERE.
