Kenya Safaris: Finch Hattons  

Finch Hattons (Southern Kenya 5 )

At the foot of the Chyulu Hills, within Tsavo National Park, Finch Hattons provides a taste of life as it was for the big game hunters in the earlier part of the century. Tsavo is world renowned for its elephant and other game, it is vast - the size of Wales, Holland and Belgium - and it offers terrain ranging from rich golden savannahs to misty mountains. Divided into Tsavo East and West by the Nairobi/Mombasa road, the game live an almost undisturbed existence in the western part. Here you will enjoy marvellous game drives.

The luxury tented lodge offers elegant and refined accommodation under canvas. When the aristocratic Denys Finch Hatton, played by Robert Redford in the film "Out of Africa", went on safari he took Mozart and cut crystal, fine wines and real porcelain. At Finch Hattons the style is the same. Understated, quiet luxury are the key words. The tents, with deluxe beds and beautiful slate walled shower rooms, are the last word in tented comfort. The main lodge offers a dining hall, bar, lounge and mezzanine library - the latter a favourite spot for post-prandial coffees and delicious petit fours. Food is taken very seriously here. Dinner is always a "production". Served by waiters wearing the khanzu, the traditional snowy-white tunic that servants wore in the colonial period but which is now worn with pride, the five courses are served skilfully and thoughtfully. The cooking is accomplished and indulgent and the continental deserts made by the Finch Hattons patisserie are superb. A well-stocked cellar offers an excellent range of European, American and South African wines. The 35 acres that form Finch Hattons Lodge are unfenced. Lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffe and plains game may come and go as they wish. Hippo and crocodiles live in the three huge pools on the site and the hippos often graze around the tents. Therefore, armed askaris escort you back to your tent when you wish to retire. A close encounter with a hippo reminds you that you are in Africa and anything might happen!