Nestled beneath the Chyulu Hills in Tsavo West National Park, Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp stands.,the camp remains one of Kenya’s most storied and romantic safari properties. For travelers seeking an alternative to the crowded Masai Mara circuit, this 17-suite tented camp offers an intimate wilderness experience. It pairs old-world elegance with exceptional service.

A Legacy Rooted in Safari History

Finch Hattons takes its name from Denys Finch Hattons, the British aristocrat, safari guide, and aviator whose romance with Karen Blixen was immortalized in Out of Africa. The camp was originally established in the early 1990s by Peter Frank and the Gehlot family, who sought to recreate the golden age of East African safari elegance in Tsavo’s remote wilderness.

In July 2024, Finch Hattons joined Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection, bringing fresh investment while preserving the camp’s established character and heritage. This acquisition linked Finch Hattons with Mahali Mzuri, Virgin Limited Edition’s flagship camp in the Masai Mara, creating an extraordinary two-camp safari circuit.

Finch Hattons is set within a private concession in southwestern Tsavo West National Park, Kenya’s oldest and largest national park. The camp occupies 35 acres of pristine wilderness around natural spring-fed pools, with sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro to the south and the Chyulu Hills to the north.

Why Tsavo West?

Tsavo West remains dramatically less visited than Kenya’s more famous northern parks, offering travelers genuine wilderness solitude. The park is renowned for:

• The “Red Elephants” of Tsavo: Large herds dusted in the region’s distinctive red soil
• Over 75 mammal species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the rare fringe-eared oryx
• More than 400 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers
• Dramatic geological features, including the 50km-long Shetani Lava Flow and the Ol Doinyo Ololarami Volcano

The camp’s spring-fed pools attract wildlife throughout the day, and it’s not unusual for guests to spot hippos, buffalo, or even leopard from the pool terrace without ever boarding a vehicle.

Finch Hattons offers just 17 tented suites—a deliberate limit that ensures exclusivity and personalized service.

Luxury Tented Suites (14)

Each of the fourteen luxury suites features:

• Elevated decks overlooking the hippo-filled springs
• Freestanding copper bathtubs perfect for stargazing
• Indoor and outdoor showers
• Vintage leather and campaign-style furniture paired with crisp linens
• Interiors that echo the golden age of East African exploration

Family Suites (2)

Two Family Suites offer two en-suite bedrooms sharing a lounge and extended deck—a practical configuration for families traveling together.

The Finch Hattons Suite

The property’s most exclusive offering includes:

• Private master bedroom plus a second bedroom
• Private heated plunge pool
• Dedicated lounge, dining area, and kitchen
• Private chef and exclusive-use safari vehicle
• Dedicated staff throughout your stay

Finch Hattons’ safari program is shaped by its deep connection to Tsavo’s landscapes, offering experiences that go far beyond the standard game drive.

• Game Drives:-Twice-daily game drives with expert guides reveal Tsavo’s giants—elephant families moving through the bush, lions resting in the shade, and rare antelope species grazing along the plains. The camp’s remote position within the park gives every drive a quality of genuine wilderness immersion that more accessible properties lack.
• Guided Bush Walks:–For a more meditative encounter, guided bush walks trace ancient animal paths and offer close-up views of the smaller wonders: tracks pressed into red earth, medicinal plants, and the songs of hidden birds.
• Chyulu Hills Exploration:-Guests can explore the mysterious cloud forest of the Chyulu Hills, a biologically rich ecosystem unlike anything else in Kenya.
• Shetani Lava Flow:-The dramatic Shetani Lava Flow, a 50km-long geological wonder, offers a stark and beautiful contrast to the camp’s verdant springs.
• Night Game Drives:-After-dark game drives reveal a different world—nocturnal species rarely seen during daylight hours.
• Maasai Cultural Experiences:-Visits to the local Maasai community of Iltilal provide genuine cultural exchange, from spear-throwing lessons to learning about traditional wilderness skills.
• Wellness and Dining: The Chyulu Spa and Culinary Excellence

The Chyulu Spa

Finch Hattons’ wellness center is genuinely comprehensive by safari-lodge standards:

• Two outdoor massage pavilions
• Hammam
• Adults-only spa pool
• Fully equipped gym
• Hill-facing yoga pavilion overlooking the Chyulu Hills

Treatments range from hot stone and herbal oil massages to couples’ rituals and facials, all using organic Africology products. The treetop pool is perfect for unwinding between game drives.

Dining

Dining at Finch Hattons is an event rather than a formality:

• Breakfast from 7am
• Lunch from 12:30 to 3pm
• Candlelit seven-course dinners from 7 to 10pm
• The Karen Blixen Lounge Bar houses an extensive wine cellar
• An open-air bar by the boma offers sundowners overlooking the springs

Locally inspired cuisine highlights the flavors of Kenya’s coast and countryside, with fine china and cut crystal elevating every meal.

The Virgin Limited Edition Connection: Sister Camp in the Masai Mara

Finch Hattons’ sister property, Mahali Mzuri, sits in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy within the Masai Mara ecosystem. This 12-tented camp is perched on a hillside overlooking a valley where wildlife streams past, directly in the path of the Great Migration.

The Two-Camp Safari Experience

Virgin Limited Edition offers an exclusive two-camp journey connecting Finch Hattons and Mahali Mzuri:

• Direct flights between the camps (just over an hour) during high season
• Complimentary fifth night when staying four nights at either property
• Seamless combination of two distinct ecosystems

This itinerary allows travelers to witness the Great Migration at Mahali Mzuri in the morning and watch red elephants beneath Kilimanjaro at Finch Hattons by the afternoon.

Mahali Mzuri Highlights

• 12 luxury tented suites cascading down a hillside
• Spa, 12-metre heated infinity pool, and exclusive conservancy game viewing
• Off-road driving, night drives, and walking safaris (not permitted in the main reserve)
• Maasai cultural experiences, including warrior training and spear-throwing

Similar Camps in the Region

For travelers considering alternatives or add-ons to a Finch Hattons itinerary, several exceptional properties in the broader Tsavo-Amboseli-Chyulu ecosystem merit consideration.

Ol Donyo Lodge

Located on 110,000 hectares of private Maasai-owned land on the edge of Chyulu Hills National Park, Ol Donyo Lodge is a Great Plains Conservation property between Tsavo and Amboseli. It offers:

• Eight deluxe suites plus a two-bedroom family suite
• Star beds, private plunge pools, and outdoor showers
• Horseback safaris, mountain biking, and night drives
• A magnificent elephant hide for breakfast, lunch, or sundowners
• Helicopter excursions over the Chyulu Hills and Kilimanjaro

Severin Safari Camp

A more moderately priced option in Tsavo West, Severin Safari Camp offers full-board accommodation with activities available à la carte. It provides a comfortable base for exploring the park’s attractions, including the Poacher’s Lookout sundowner experience.

Kitirua Plains Lodge (Amboseli)

Recently opened by A&K Sanctuary, this 13-suite lodge sits on a private concession bordering Amboseli National Park. Key features include:

• Views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant herds
• Solar-powered operations and locally sourced materials
• Wellness offerings inspired by Maasai traditions
• Rates from $840 per person per night

Planning Your Finch Hattons Safari

Best Time to Visit

Finch Hattons is open year-round. The camp sits in a low-risk malaria area at an altitude of 800m/2,400ft.

Getting There

By Air: Finch Hattons has its own registered airstrip with coordinates 2°57 South and 37°55 East. Scheduled flights connect from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) and other safari destinations.

By Road: Two primary routes from Nairobi:

• Route 1: Nairobi – Emali (124km) – Loitoktok (96km) – Finch Hattons (62km)
• Route 2: Nairobi – Mtito Andei (233km) – Finch Hattons (67km)

Park Fees

Kenya Wildlife Service park fees apply: $60 per day per adult and **$40 per day per child (ages 3-18).

Children

Children aged 6 and over are welcome at Finch Hattons. The Family Suites provide an ideal configuration for families traveling together.

Why Choose Finch Hattons for Your Kenya Safari?

Finch Hattons offers something increasingly rare in the modern safari landscape: genuine exclusivity without pretension. With just 17 suites, the camp delivers the intimacy of a private home combined with the amenities of a world-class resort.

The property appeals particularly to:

• Return visitors to Kenya who have already experienced the Masai Mara circuit
• Travelers seeking solitude in uncrowded wilderness
• Wellness-focused guests drawn to the comprehensive Chyulu Spa
• Honeymooners and couples seeking romance and privacy

For travelers who value wilderness immersion over checklist wildlife viewing, Finch Hattons represents one of Kenya’s finest safari experiences—a place where the rhythm of the bush sets the pace, and where the legacy of the golden safari era lives on.

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Ready to Experience Finch Hattons?

Beyond Kenya Safaris specializes in crafting tailor-made itineraries that combine Finch Hattons with sister property Mahali Mzuri, or with other exceptional camps across Kenya. With nearly two decades of experience designing personalized safaris, our team handles every detail—from domestic flights to park fees—so you can focus on the experience.

Contact us to begin planning your Finch Hattons adventure, or explore our curated selection of Kenya safari itineraries featuring this iconic property and its sister camps.