Spanning generations, my family’s legacy in East Africa is one of adventure, innovation, and a deep connection to the wild. From pioneering hunting expeditions to revolutionizing luxury safaris, our journey reflects a shared passion for the untamed beauty of this land, passed down through the years.
The roots of our legacy stretch back to the 1600s in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the Sucliff family, descended from the first Irish pioneers of America, founded a school that would later become Harvard University. This spirit of innovation and education laid the foundation for the generations that followed, eventually leading my great-great-grandfather, Charles Cottar, to East Africa—a land where the wild called to those with a thirst for adventure.
Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's African hunting expeditions, Charles Cottar moved his family to East Africa, where he became a pioneer of big-game hunting. His encounters with the wild were nothing short of legendary—he survived three maulings by leopards, each time returning to the bush with an unbroken spirit. Charles’s legacy extended through his sons, who continued the family tradition, hosting the Duke and Duchess of York on hunting expeditions. Their stories are woven into the very fabric of East Africa’s hunting history, where the Cottar name became synonymous with courage and adventure.
Thelma Cottar, my great-grandmother, played a significant role in the colonial social scene of East Africa, much like the women in Karen Blixen’s circle. Known for her beauty and grace, she hosted tea parties and entertained international hunting visitors, adding warmth and hospitality to the Cottar legacy. As the men ventured out on hunts, women like Thelma often found solace and creativity in capturing the beauty of the African landscape through photography. This pioneering spirit in photographic safaris laid the groundwork for a new way of experiencing the wild—a legacy that would later influence my own path.
My grandfather, David Stuart, chose a different path, one that led him away from the world of safaris and into the medical field. As an orthopedic surgeon, he made his mark by performing the first hip replacement in East Africa. David's story is one of compassion and skill, perhaps most notably illustrated when he was the first responder to Richard Leakey's plane crash. With the weight of grave news, he informed Leakey that his legs would need to be amputated. Though his legacy is not one of safari, David Stuart’s contributions to East Africa are no less profound, showing that the Stuart family’s influence extends beyond the savanna and into the very heart of the region’s progress.
My father, Andrew Stuart, inherited the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven our family for generations. With a background in boat building, he brought innovation to the safari industry by creating the "mobile safari tent," a luxury tent that unfolds from a trailer into a 100-square-meter living space on raised wooden decking. His hard work and visionary approach led to the establishment of high-end safari camps under the Bushtops brand in the Masai Mara and Serengeti, blending the wild beauty of East Africa with the comforts of modern luxury. Andrew’s contributions have redefined the safari experience, making it possible for adventurers to immerse themselves in the wilderness without sacrificing comfort.
Following in my father’s footsteps, I embraced both the entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for creativity. My involvement in the family’s safari business allowed me to see East Africa’s landscapes through a unique lens—one that I captured through my photography. Specializing in astrophotography, I have been fortunate to earn recognition, winning multiple awards, including Africa Geographic's Photographer of the Year, and being highly commended and shortlisted in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest, organized by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. My journey is a continuation of my family’s legacy, one that combines the wild beauty of Africa with the art of photography, capturing the night skies that have watched over our family for generations.
Special thanks to my relative, Jeanette Loring, whose dedication to preserving our family history provided invaluable insights for this blog.
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