Louise first came to Kenya some 35 years ago to study and later went to work for the United Nations
in Mogadishu, Somalia. From Somalia, she took breaks to visit Kenya where she met and eventually
married Calvin Cottar, whose family have been in various safari businesses since 1909.

In 1998, Calvin and Louise set up a small camp, which evolved over time to become Cottar’s 1920s
Camp and Bush Villa in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. Coming to travel with a background of strategic
planning in fragile states wasn’t a straightforward journey, but applying her expertise of operating in
fragile states to fragile ecosystems, and fragile cultures, she’s found a way to support human
development of local communities, biodiversity and conservation through tourism as a force for
good.

As an East African travel expert, we asked for her insights on getting the best out of the region.

How far in advance should someone be booking an East Africa (migration/safari) trip and why? 
At Cottar’s Safaris, we are already getting quite full for the migration period (July through October)
for 2026, so my suggestion is try and book at least one, if not two years ahead. The in-demand
properties get full early on and have a fairly limited number of beds, so if you want to maximise your
chances of staying in the best camps and lodges, book a safari in East Africa well in advance.

What are some of the highlights of this region (beyond the obvious) that people might not know
about? 
Some of the far-flung, not often thought about places and experiences, include the Rwenzori
mountains in Uganda (named the Mountains of the Moon, which offer surreal Afro-alpine
landscapes); Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of churches built into the ground in
Ethiopia in the 12th century; dhow sailing off the vehicle-less Swahili island of Lamu; the Danakil
depression in Ethiopia – the lowest, driest, hottest place on earth (think Mars, but with camels!).
Additionally, many people come for the wildlife and leave enthralled by the people. There are over
300 distinct groups or tribes in East Africa. All kind people with generous hearts and stories to tell.

As someone with an extensive knowledge of Kenya, and East Africa – what are the must see and
must do’s for a traveler to the region, bearing in mind they may only come once! 
That is an interesting question.  When thinking of Kenya and East Africa, there are the stereotypical
things to do: see the Big 5, climb Mount Kenya, visit gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda, but there are also
great alternatives that are equally compelling – for instance, ever considered chimpanzee trekking
instead of gorillas? It’s an equally impactful and unique experience.

My advice to anyone interested in visiting East Africa is to speak to a destination specialist who is
willing to not just give an off-the-shelf itinerary, but to curate a journey that is impactful, unique and
that serves your interests, and goes beyond stereotype and your wildest aspirations! And lastly, not
a must see, but a recommendation – to search out those experiences and organisations that support
conservation and community. Your trip can make a big difference not only to you, but to the people
and wildlife that you visit.

What are some of the unique benefits of the different areas/destinations of East Africa,
respectively? 
East Africa has an abundance of ecosystems, in a relatively small geographic area: from snow-capped
mountains to savannah, lakes to island hideaways and Nairobi is actually a really cool city. My
suggestion is to give yourself enough time in the region to enjoy the unique benefits rather than
rushing through a particular destination.

Many people come to this region for migration. What can they look forward to if they come
outside of migration season? 
The migration takes place in Kenya between early July and late October and includes approximately
1.5 million wildebeest, 300 000 Thompsons gazelle, 200 000 zebra, and many other species (such as
eland, Grant's gazelle and topi).

But, outside of the migration period, the Mara still has one of the highest densities of wildlife in
Africa and always has the Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino). I love the April/May
period – the grass is really green at this time of year, making it much easier to spot cats and this time
of year is less busy and more private. Additionally, rates in April and May at many places in the Mara
are often half the rate of the migration period.

What are the three key pieces of advice you'd give to someone travelling to East Africa for safari? 
1) Plan with an East African safari/travel specialist – whether in your home country or in the
destination country
2) Plan early
3) Consider staying in properties that support conservation and community