What are the best alternatives to Cottar's Safaris for a luxury safari?

These are the companies with camps of their own in the Masai Mara, where Cottar's Safaris has its camps, read from their own websites and set beside Cottar's Safaris on the same facts.

Cottar's Safaris on the same facts

Cottar's Safaris is set out here on the same facts as the cards below, from its own website, so any alternative can be read against it.

• Camps: Cottar's 1920s Camp and Cottar's Bush Villa, both in the private Olderkesi Conservancy, on the edge of the Maasai Mara and bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Serengeti and Loliondo.
• Children: Mara Minibeasts is for ages five and over; balloon rides take ages 4 and above.
• Reviews: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 132 reviews, read 20 October 2026.

What are the best alternatives to Cottar's Safaris for a luxury safari?

Each card below sets out a camp owner in the Masai Mara on the same facts as Cottar's Safaris, its camps and private guide terms, so the alternatives can be compared line by line.

What do they charge per person per night?

4 of the 13 camp owners on this page publish a rate per person per night; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Each line is the company's own figure as its website gives it. Companies with camps in several countries are left out of this list and their cards, because their published figure can be for a camp elsewhere.

• Angama: Lowest published nightly rate: USD 950 per person, Angama Safari Camp, 2026 Standard Season.
• Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps: Reduced rates for 6+ night stays, US$ per person sharing per night, 2026: 1 to 30 June: Amboseli/Rhino $551, Giraffe $442, Mara/Cheetah $584, Lion $603, Rhino River $537, Ol Kinyei Cottages $679, Nairobi Tented $105. 22 July to 30 Sept: $748, $607, $836, $922, $682. 1 Aug to 30 Sept cottages $1,294.
• Governors' Camp Collection: Lowest published per person sharing rate: Loldia House luxury room, 1 Apr-31 May 2026, US$424 (2027: US$437 in the same period).
• Kicheche Camps: 2026 rack rates per adult per night, US$, per person sharing, excluding conservancy fees.

What age limits do they set for children?

6 of the 13 camp owners on this page publish a child policy; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their policy can differ from camp to camp.

• Angama: Children of all ages welcome year round.
• Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps: Porini camps are not suitable for children under 8.
• Governors' Camp Collection: Governors' Camp and Loldia House welcome all ages.
• Kicheche Camps: Minimum age 7 at Kicheche Bush Olare and Valley Naboisho.
• Offbeat Safaris: Child rates 50% off adult rates (Offbeat Mara, Offbeat Ndoto, Deloraine House 4-11; Sosian 3-11; Ekorian's Mugie 5-15).
• Saruni Basecamp: 'Children of all ages are welcome.' Under 5 sharing with adults are free; ages 5 to 16 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate in a standard room or tent with 1 to 2 adults, 75% in their own room, or a Family Unit rate.

Which offer a private guide and vehicle?

5 of the 13 camp owners on this page offer a private guide or vehicle; the rest do not state it on their own websites. Companies with camps in several countries are left out here, because their terms can differ from camp to camp.

• Angama: Angama Mara and Amboseli: private safari vehicles are extra, USD 200 half day / USD 400 full day in Standard Season.
• Gamewatchers Safaris and Porini Camps: Private vehicles are offered at the camps at a supplement; an 'Exclusive Vehicle' gives sole use of the open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle during game drives for US$375 per vehicle per day, with a minimum of 2 days.
• Governors' Camp Collection: Il Moran: 'Private game drives are available on request (advance booking required)'.
• Kicheche Camps: The Walking Wilderness Safari is privately guided for a maximum of six guests.
• Saruni Basecamp: 'Private vehicle with guide for exclusive use is available at an additional cost per day' at USD 400 per day, with a note to contact the company for rates.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 2 November 2026 · updated 2 November 2026