Cottars's Safaris High Season Availability

Award winning Cottars Safari welcomes the addition of two new tents and there is still some availability for this July, August, September and October for stays in the award -winning Camp and Bush Villa in the Masai Mara- at a time when the great Migration is passing through.

The July-October annual migration brings in some 1.6 million animals to the Masai Mara each year comprising of wildebeest, zebras and gazelle. In short, the biggest mammal trek in the world follows the rains. The herds travel 800 kilometers clockwise in a circle through the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems in search of greener, mineral rich pastures and water. As the herds of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles enter the Masai Mara they are met by more than their fair share of lethal predators. Aside from the threat of big cats, the leeming -like herds are also faced with over 3000 crocodiles luring in the murky waters of the Mara River during their river crossing. Watching the herds blindly jump from riverbank ledges and into the river waters is spectacular to say the least. Eventually the massive herds are rewards with spoils of the wide open Masai Mara plains. It represents the biggest and most species diverse large mammal migration in the world. Unfortunately, the migration is affected through migratory corridors being blocked by human population densities, expanding agriculture and fences and bad tourism practices. At Cottar’s you can be assured that whilst they will show the guests the migration, they will not participate in tourism overcrowding of river crossings. Additionally, they lease land from the Maasai community, for community financial return, and, to ensure that some of the migratory corridors remain open. The migration is considered to be the greatest wildlife travelling roadshow on earth and known as one of the seven wonders of the world, the great migration is an iconic safari must-see, and the good news is that the Masai Mara has plenty of wildlife to enjoy all year round.

In other news, Cottars wants to shout out for species that matter- the Vulture. They may not be as traditionally endearing as the elephants, lions and cheetahs, but in just 30 years, more than half of the vulture population in Kenya’s Masai Mara has been decimated. Seven of Africa’s 11 vulture species are on the edge of extinction, and 90% of reported vulture deaths in Africa are from medicinal use and poisoning. Vultures are often the unintended victims of poisoning incident s where humans place poison into carcasses to kill carnivores such as a lion. Vultures have a digestive system that contains special acids that can dissolve anthrax, botulism and cholera bacteria. At a time of recent pandemics, the importance of vultures as a keystone species to maintain the functioning, health and resilience of the Masai Mara inhabitants and ecosystem cannot be underestimated. At Cottar’s they will show their guests the Big 5 safari experience but feel it’s important to shout out for those species that need a bit of extra help.