Cottars Conservation Camp is managed by the Cottar’s Safaris group and offers an expedition-style camp that encourages guests to connect with nature on a raw and authentic level. This is where you can immerse yourself in the local community and culture, and experience Africa in stripped-back simplicity that forms the true beauty of a sustainable safari experience.


Location

Cotter’s Conservation Camp is located on the expansive and private Olderkesi Conservancy, bordering Loliondo in Tanzania, Masai Mara, Southern Kenya. Cottars 1920s Camp, Cottars Bush Villa and Instinct of the Mara can be found within the same conservancy. The camp has access to hundreds of kilometers of protected land that has only been inhabited by a few locals. The setting is remote and lies in a tranquil spot surrounded by ancient trees and a breath-taking landscape.

Rooms

7 white canvas tents huddle together to create this intimate camp. The tents are simple yet comfortable and include a separate cubicle bathroom with a hot bucket shower and a traditional long drop loo. Providing optimal protection from the elements, the camp provides all the amenities one would need to relax after a busy day exploring the private conservancy. The entire camp is also hosted directly by the manager and a support team that is ready to look after all your needs.

Communal Areas

This African safari camp encourages guests to get their hands dirty for an authentic bush and wildlife experience. To support this outlook, the communal areas have been kept practical with a respect for nature. However, luxury is not completely off the table and guests will be treated to hearty meals prepared by a professional safari cook and served in a larger mess tent. Guests can also unwind in the dedicated Zen Tent.

Activities

Taking adventure back to its roots, Cottar’s Conservation Camp is a sanctuary for relaxation and rustic safari simplicity. Evenings can be spent sipping on coffee next to the fireside and under star-laden skies before embarking on a nighttime safari. During the day, the wilderness can be explored with knowledgeable guides and an introduction to the local communities can also be arranged.  The simplicity of the camp creates a gateway to the intricacies of the bush to form an all-around ethereal experience that connects people to nature in the humblest of ways.

Fully inclusive

Accommodation
Local Drinks – soft drinks, house wines, beers, & select spirits
All safari activities unless specified otherwise
Cottar’s Warrior School - Kid’s entertainment program at the 1920s Camp and Bush Villa only
Cottar’s Private Airstrip transfers
Transfers to cultural visits
Nanny
Life of a Hunter-Gatherer Tour
A Conservation lunch / dinner hosted by the Conservation Manager (needs to be prearranged)
Visit the local primary school
Seedball dispersal with the conservation club
Visit the local Maasai village
Visit the Ranger HQ - interact with our Conservation rangers, afternoon volley ball match
Sundowners in the Conservancy
Hike (2-3 hours, 360 views of Kenya, TZ, Reserve & Conservancy) over hill to 1920s - lunch / drinks then picked by car
Morning / afternoon run with a Maasai Warrior

When to go

Find out when is best to visit

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DRY SEASON

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains. The migration will be located within the southern regions of the Serengeti during this period. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

DRY SEASON

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains. The migration will be located within the southern regions of the Serengeti during this period. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

DRY SEASON

A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains. The migration will be located within the southern regions of the Serengeti during this period. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

WET SEASON - 'LONG RAINS'

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side, rates are at there cheapest, and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!

During this period the great migration starts to make its way north towards the Western Corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem, in Tanzania. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

WET SEASON - 'LONG RAINS'

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side, rates are at there cheapest, and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!

During this period the great migration starts to make its way north towards the Western Corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem, in Tanzania. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

DRY SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side, rates are at there cheapest, and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!

During this period the great migration starts to make its way north towards the Western Corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem, in Tanzania. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

DRY SEASON

The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side, rates are at there cheapest, and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!

During this period the great migration starts to make its way north towards the Western Corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem, in Tanzania. The resident (non-migratory) wildlife in the Masai Mara is however superb throughout the year, so still well worth consideration as a safari destination. Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies.

During this period the great migration will be making its way into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti. Game viewing will, therefore, be exceptional, this the perfect time of year to visit!

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies.

During this period the great migration will be making its way into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti. Game viewing will, therefore, be exceptional, this the perfect time of year to visit!

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies.

During this period the great migration will be making its way into the Masai Mara from the Serengeti. Game viewing will, therefore, be exceptional, this the perfect time of year to visit!

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

WET SEASON – ‘SHORT RAINS’

A rather unpredictable time of the year with the occasional heavy shower or thunderstorm, but usually plenty of sunshine in between. While technically the wet season the rains are not as intense during this period as the ‘long rains’, it can therefore still be a great time to visit.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

WET SEASON – ‘SHORT RAINS’

A rather unpredictable time of the year with the occasional heavy shower or thunderstorm, but usually plenty of sunshine in between. While technically the wet season the rains are not as intense during this period as the ‘long rains’, it can therefore still be a great time to visit.

Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the high altitude (1,435 to 2,143m or 4,708 to 7,031ft) moderate these to a very pleasant 25°C/77°F to 27°C/80°F. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece!

There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between April and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.

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