Cottar’s Safari Services (CSS) is a fifth generational family business curating sustainable experiential safaris in Kenya, providing a service by filling the gap between the travel trade around the world and Kenyab Safari Operators. They are the only Independent ground handling company that specialises exclusively in Zambia. Their Independence means that they are happy to book any camp through the country, alternatively they are always pleased to recommend what they believe to be the best Itinerary to suit your criteria.

Our motivation goes far deeper than simply providing places to stay; we recommend only destinations and properties, who meaningfully support conservation, community or cultural projects. CSS have screened over 100 lodges, camps and villas in Kenya, based upon a set of strict criteria. For us, as we hope it is for you, it is about worth to the planet and engaging experiences, ensuring guests return home with a greater understanding of the conservation and community work, which their safari contributed to. We donate 20% of our yearly net profits to securing critical wildlife corridors and biodiversity in the Olderkesi area of Kenya that in turn supports the local community.

Masai Mara
The Maasai Mara is commonly referred to as the 8th wonder of the world due to its spectacular annual wildebeest migration, as well as having one of the densest amount of megafauna found globally. The ecosystem hosts an estimated 40% of Africa’s large mammal species yet covers only 0.1% of the continent’s land surface. The Mara is the home range of the sternly proud Maasai people, a pastoralist tribe who have held on to their own traditions and customs. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area, but as much a part of the life of the land as the land is a part of their lives. The game viewing in the Mara is incredible with opportunities to see the ‘Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions and leopards). There are some 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 470 birds species recorded on the reserve, including 53 different birds of prey species

Laikipia
The Laikipia Plateau sprawls on the edge of Kenya’s Northern Frontier, stretching from the rim of the Great Rift Valley to Mount Kenya’s slopes. Over time in this natural haven, comprising ranches and conservancies, conservationists have made an effort to create a place where communities and wildlife can exist hand in hand in order to maintain and protect the region’s wonderful biodiversity. 95 species of mammals and 500 birds species can be foun in this area and Laikipia is home to the world’s densest concentration of black rhinos (more than 50)

Samburu
These areas are home to nomadic communities and wildlife that have evolved to thrive in a desert-like environment. The area is known for the Samburu’s Special Five, Africa’s lesser-known relative to the Big Five. As you drive through the arid countryside, keep an eye out for Somali ostriches with blue skin and gerenuks with swan-like necks. Grevy’s zebra, whose magnificent striped skins have made them endangered, graze beside pointy-horned Beisa oryx and the reticulated giraffe. These unusual species congregate frequently around the Ewaso NyiroRiver, which serves as a lifeline in the dry, desert-like region. Tbis area is well known for a truly immersive and authentic experience, spending time with the incredible Samburu people, learning about their age old traditions.

Amboseli & The Chyulus
Located southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is especially famous for its herds of big-tusked elephants. Kenya’s second most popular park after the Masai Mara, it was given Biosphere Reserve status by UNESCO in 1991.

Chyulu Hills – “The green hills of Africa”
The Chyulu Hills is a mountain range in Makueni County, South Eastern Kenya. It forms a 100-kilometre long volcanic field in an elongated NW-SE direction. Its highest peak is 2188 metres high. The Chyulu Hills stood in for Ngong Hills for the filming of Out of Africa.

OTHER AREAS IN KENYA
Kenya is incredibly diverse and our knowledgeable team in Kenya are ready to support you in planning your guests’ trip planning, whether it be philanthropic, purposeful travel packages or stay-longer ‘slow safaris’ or off the beaten track adventures or indeed amid the Maasai Mara’s great migration.