| Hollywood's hottest movie stars, actors and music | | | | Twenties." There you'll find a photo of a hunting |
| mega stars are taking in African wildlife at two of | | | | party, among whom is Calvin Cottar's grandfather |
| the continent's chicest safari camps-Lemarti's | | | | Mike. The hat he is wearing now sits on top of |
| Camp and Cottar's Safari Service. Uma Thurman | | | | the bookcase. The Cottar clan is referred to in |
| and Daniel Craig are fans of Lemarti's located in | | | | the book as the Kenya First Family of the safari |
| the Northern area of Kenya along the Ewaso | | | | business. If you want to track the safari bloodline, |
| River. Expect the ultimate in African-chic with wild | | | | you go to Cottar's. |
| nature treks and yoga on the water. Thurman, | | | | Charles Cottar was not British, but an American |
| along with Don Cheadle and Ed Norton, has also | | | | inspired by Teddy Roosevelt's hunting exploits. He |
| stayed at Cottar's located in Kenya's Masai Mara | | | | moved to Kenya in 1911 and established Cottar's |
| National Reserve (one of the New Wonders of | | | | Safari Service in 1919. A pioneering wildlife |
| the World). | | | | cinematographer, he was killed while filming rhinos. |
| This old photo-safari camp boasts wildlife picnics | | | | The Cottars safari tented camps were among |
| and private outdoor baths, where a zebra or two | | | | the first to import safari vehicles to Kenya, and |
| just might stroll by. Accommodation in safari | | | | Calvin's father, Glen, established the first fixed |
| tented camps. For a nature enthusiast, nothing | | | | camps in the country. Calvin himself, now 38, is |
| beats Africa and Kenya is a gem among jewels: | | | | said to be one of the models for the safari-god |
| Kenya has a high concentration of migrating and | | | | love interest in Francesca Marciano's Rules of the |
| native wildlife, birds, open savannah as well as 42 | | | | wild, a 1999 roman à clef about Nairobi's expat |
| indigenous tribes and sub-tribes, most of which | | | | scene. |
| maintain their traditions and dress. Plus, there's a | | | | Today, Cottar's camp is situated on the lower |
| lot of love for Americans on relation of President | | | | slopes of a heavily forested hillside, overlooking |
| Barack Obama's family ties. For true experience | | | | the green-blond Masai Mara plains and Tanzania's |
| consider a bilateral approach, tour the northern | | | | Serengeti beyond. It's such a classic vista that |
| region for authentic cultural immersion and the | | | | you expect the title Out of Africa to scroll across |
| south for tried and tested wildlife l viewing. | | | | it. "My father hunted here, and I used to ride in |
| Lemarti's Camp, Laikipia Plateau - Nestled | | | | the back of the vehicle," says Calvin, piloting his |
| underneath a massive, centuries-old fig tree, | | | | Land Cruiser through a creek bed. When his |
| within an oasis of the banks of the Ewaso River, | | | | father passed away, in 1996, Calvin set up shop |
| is Anna Trzebinski and Loyapan Lemarti's | | | | on 250,000 acres held by a community of 3,000 |
| "Africa-chic" camp. Trzebinski, an acclaimed | | | | Masai on the fringes of the game reserve. He |
| Nairobi-born fashion and furniture designer, and | | | | scoured the family storerooms for the furnishings |
| Lemarti, her Samburu warrior husband and one of | | | | that give Cottar's its Finch-Hatton feel. |
| the area's best nature guides, opened the camp | | | | Giraffe Manor Hotel is located in the Karen district, |
| two years ago with a focus on cultural integration. | | | | named after "Out of Africa" writer Karen Blixen. |
| Lemarti and his Laikipia Masai and Samburu warrior | | | | The manor's six rooms overlook verdant grounds |
| pals are in charge of the day-to-day at the camp, | | | | that are home to endangered Rothschild giraffes, |
| and since there are only five tents, the genial and | | | | which pop their heads into rooms looking for a |
| colorfully dressed tribesmen often out number the | | | | nibble. Also in Nairobi make time for to visit the |
| guests. | | | | world-renowned Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where |
| Visitors can spend days lounging around the tents, | | | | visitors can meet and foster one of many |
| which are richly designed with reclaimed | | | | orphaned baby elephants and rhinos. Dame |
| hardwoods, lush native textiles, and an overall nod | | | | Sheldrick, who lives on the grounds, has created |
| to Africa (including found elephant jawbone toilet | | | | this haven for young elephants and rhinos and to |
| seats!). You can also wander to the river for | | | | date has hand-reared nearly 100. |
| some fruitful tilapia fishing, take a "Rites of | | | | While you can make reservations in these camps |
| Passage" nature walk with just you and the | | | | directly, due to their location and planning involved |
| warriors and their spears, track elephants via | | | | (transfers, inland carriers, communications, visas, |
| Land Rover, and visit the manyatta (or village) of | | | | etc.), it is recommended that you book your trip |
| a friendly staffer. Meals are locally sourced, simple | | | | through a reputable Kenya safari company, tour |
| and gourmet. | | | | operators and travel company. African safaris and |
| Cottar's 1920s Safari Camp Masai Mara National | | | | Adventures is one of the most reputable safari |
| Reserve - Take White Hunters from the | | | | travel outfitters specializing in authentic Africa |
| bookcase in the lounge of Cottar's 1920's Camp, | | | | adventure travel with emphasis placed on nature |
| and open it to the chapter "Trailblazers of the | | | | conservation and preservation of indigenous. |