Finch Hattons

Situated on a 35-acre private property between the Chyulu Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro, providing access to the 22,000-square-kilometer Tsavo National Park—Kenya’s largest and oldest wildlife reserve—Finch Hattons is a nostalgic treasure of a safari camp, largely inspired by the adventure-meets-luxury legacy of Denys Finch Hattons (the safari pioneer and aristocrat, most famously portrayed in Karen Blixen's Out of Africa). Founded in 1993 as a family-run passion project and fully renovated in 2015, Finch Hattons marries Old World elegance and creature comforts with family-friendly warmth and local soulfulness, largely thanks to the fantastic team who runs the lodge (many of whom have been with the property since its inception). For a classic Kenyan safari, Finch Hattons is a can't-miss stop.

• The warm, soulful atmosphere, which delivers a major sense of place as well as a sense of home. This is thanks to the fantastic, largely local team, many of whom have worked with the property for decades.
• The immersive design of the property and tented suites, which keeps guests fully in the surrounding nature, while providing creature comforts. The sounds of birds and hippos fill the days here, from dawn to dusk.
• The diversity of on-property highlights (beyond the excitement of game drives)—namely, the wonderful pool, yoga pavilion, star-gazing setup, walking safari opportunities and delicious meals.

Situated on a 35-acre private property between the Chyulu Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro, providing access to the 22,000-square-kilometer Tsavo National Park—Kenya’s largest and oldest wildlife reserve—Finch Hattons is a nostalgic treasure of a safari camp, largely inspired by the adventure-meets-luxury legacy of Denys Finch Hattons (the safari pioneer and aristocrat most famously portrayed in Karen Blixen's Out of Africa). Founded in 1993 as a passion project and fully renovated in 2015, Finch Hattons marries Old World elegance and creature comforts with family-friendly warmth and local soulfulness, largely thanks to the fantastic Kenyan team who runs the lodge—many of whom have been with the property since its inception.

Seeking to evoke the romance, hospitality and glamour of the 1920s safari, Finch Hattons' founders, the Gehlot family and renowned hotelier Peter Frank, opened the camp in 1993. It closed in 2012 for a full renovation, reopening in 2015. However, the traditional details remain—from the china and crystal tableware used at meals to the brass gramophones, old photographs and vintage trunks dotted around the main lodge. (They've also preserved two of the original tents, so guests can admire the transformation.)

The property is spread out around a natural watering hole, which attracts a wide variety of wildlife, from hippos, elephants and crocodiles to Vervet monkeys and southern masked weaver birds. (The weaver birds nest near the tented suites and are a particular joy to observe from bed or the private deck—while guests are advised upon arrival to take particular care to keep the monkeys out.)

There are 17 tented suites total, including two-bedroom family options (accommodating five guests) and the 200-square-meter, ultra-private Finch Hattons Suite (which includes the services of a private butler and chef, and a separate room for guests traveling with staff). The suites are designed to fully immerse guests in the beautiful nature that surrounds—from the self-cooling makuti palm leaf roofs to the floor-to-ceiling screen doors that open onto wide, waterfront observation decks with nap-friendly couches. The suites are spacious and very comfortable, with helpful details like built-in power adaptors (so there's no need for converters) and a three-tiered layout (resulting in uninterrupted views from any vantage point). Chandeliers, leather tufted bed frames and brass-trimmed bar cabinets layer on the romance. Bathrooms include double-sink vanities, tubs and both indoor and outdoor showers, heated by solar power.

The tented suites fan out from the watering hole, which fronts the main pavilion area—and they are linked by stretches of volcanic-sand walking paths, providing the chance to enjoy nature walks even within camp. The main pavilion is packed with personality (playful accents include a Coca-Cola-bottle chandelier and brightly patterned Kenyan fabrics), and there are plenty of living rooms and nooks to cozy up in for a meal, card game or good book by the fireplace.

Several dining venues are on offer, including a poolside lounge and a star-gazing terrace, which is perfect for a special occasion private meal. (Editor's Note: While we were there in November 2023, the staff threw the most magical birthday dinner here for a member of our group.) There is also a cigar lounge and wine cave, tucked off of the Karen Blixen lounge and main pavilion bar areas. The all-day, rotating menu largely reflects the produce of the on-site greenhouse—and the food at Finch Hattons is a major highlight: fresh, varied, healthy and satisfying. Guests can rest assured that they will be very well-fed here, and any dietary restriction or special request—say, asking to order everything on the menu, family-style—can be accommodated by the veteran kitchen team.

In addition to daily game drives into Tsavo National Park, which is six times the size of the Maasai Mara and is perhaps best known for its elephant population, activities on offer at Finch Hattons include birding, walking safaris, hiking and cultural immersion experiences with the local Maasai, including a lively "Maasai Olympics" tournament, in which guests can learn about Maasai culture while competing in games and enjoying sundowners (the Kenyan gin and tonic is a must-try). 

There is also a well-outfitted spa and fitness center, including a large infinity lap pool and yoga loft (where the on-site instructor can lead private sessions, anytime), a hammam and two treatment cabins—in addition to the family pool and deck. This gives Finch Hattons a stronger wellness focus than is found at other similarly traditional safari lodges. There is also a small kids' club for young explorers.

Couples and families who appreciate tradition, soul and a sense of place, and accommodations that become like home—as well as more unique details like the yoga studio, and the outstanding bird life. The suites are very spread out (it's a 10-to-15-minute walk from the main lodge to the farthest room), so the layout may be challenging for those who are not comfortable walking distances. Travelers should note that the game-viewing in Tsavo can be more challenging than in the Maasai Mara (as they say, here, you're "finding" the game rather than "viewing" it). Guests looking for action-packed game drives, every time, may prefer to base themselves in the Mara—although nothing in the bush is ever a guarantee.