Finch Hattons.

If one camp has most often been described as Africa’s ultimate ‘bush luxury’, it must surely be Finch Hattons. Three-time winner of Kenya’s coveted ‘Best Tented Camp’ award, this magnificent camp in the heart of Kenya’s largest national park has defined the entire art of luxury camping.

Located in a 35-acre concession in the southwestern corner of Tsavo West, Finch Hattons overlooks a series of spring-fed pools that attract some of Africa’s most diverse game, from herds of elephant and buffalo to lions, leopards, and – the camp’s natural piece de resistance – a huge pod of hippos, which bathe the area in their sonorous chorus.

To land on the private airstrip at Finch Hattons is to touch down in the years of the first grand safaris – and their charming hosts. The camp is run by renowned hotelier Peter Frank and his wife Connie, who go out of their way to emulate the atmosphere of the great early safaris – and the greatest host of them all, Denys Finch-Hatton. (Although best known for Robert Redford’s romantic portrayal, Finch-Hatton was one of the greatest guides of his day – the pioneer of such safari ‘indispensables’ as 10-foot-high tents, cut crystal and fine wines.)

Today, the great man’s legacy thrives at the camp bearing his name, where the glittering dining room boasts Flemish chandeliers, German crystal, and the best vintage wines – all accompanied by Kenya’s finest safari cuisine. The tents themselves are a striking picture of sophistication, with luxurious beds, antique writing desks, minibars, and spacious bathrooms with solar-heated water. Finch Hattons strives to minimize its impact on this fragile land, with mulching of biodegradable waste, use of eco-friendly products, and support for local conservation initiatives.

As a guest at Finch Hattons, you will have ample opportunities to learn about this wild land, which boasts some of the richest big game in Africa. As well as extensive game drives and walks, we can take you to meet the rare black rhino in a protected sanctuary, or to the striking oasis of Mzima Springs, the ‘haunted’ lavaflows of Shaitani, or the old hunting ground of Tsavo’s famous man-eating lions.