Accomodation in and around Kenya's National Parks and -Reserves:

Tsavo West National Park

Finch Hattons Camp

If one name is synonymous with luxury in the African Bush it must surely be that of Denys Finch Hatton. Befriended by Kings, immortalised by Hollywood Finch Hatton’s courage and charm inspired an entire generation of safari guides. Today his name lives on in a remote corner of Tsavo West National Park called 'Finch Hattons'. Privately owned and managed, Finch Hattons is one man’s dream to create an ideal, offering guests a unique opportunity to relive the golden era of the safari with elegance, first class comforts and the finest cuisine surrounded by the spectacle of the great African wilderness.

The camp accommodates up to 60 people in spacious safari tents attractively constructed in light beige canvas with large windows, wooden flooring and a permanent thatched roof. All have en-suite bathrooms, large mirrors, WC, hot and cold running water and showers and are equipped with a fully stocked mini bar, shaver outlets for 110v and 200v and hairdryers. The emphasis is on tasteful comfort with either double or twin beds, period brass lamps, writing desks and Afghan ‘Kilims’.

All tents are built on elevated platforms with spectacular views of the surrounding springs and forest. Large wooden decks with a comfortable day bed, chairs and table offer a tranquil and relaxing retreat. The main restaurant of Finch Hattons reflects a bygone era of taste and elegance. In the evening an exquisite dinner of six courses is served - often to the sound of Mozart. Although jackets and ties are excused, gentlemen are requested to wear long trousers.

The comfortable lounge and bar areas are elegantly furnished to create an informal country house atmosphere. On the mezzanine floor, guests may enjoy the respite of a cozy library cum reading room. In addition to a varied choice of books there is also an excellent range of classical and slightly more contemporary music. Naturally the selection includes many of the Mozart classics favored by Denys Finch Hatton.

The bar is open all day and also services the pool terraces. Indigenous trees surround an elevated swimming pool and shaded deck area where guests can enjoy a refreshing swim or take time to relax between game drives. A WI-FI Hotspot service is available for those travelling with their own laptop. Finch Hattons has built a solid reputation for producing inspiring gourmet meals in a remote and wild setting. Standards of food preparation and culinary protocol are unmatched elsewhere in the bush. Cuisine on the menu is both imaginative and tasteful. Only fresh Kenyan produce of international export quality is used for all meals.

Breakfast and lunch are served “al fresco” on the large terrace overlooking the main hippo pool with a backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance. Dinner is served in the elegantly beautiful dining room. Finch Hattons pride themselves on an extensive cellar of imported wines, a wide range of premium spirits and other preferred beverages from a well stocked bar.

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Superbly situated in the lee of Mount Kilimanjaro and sheltered by the volcanic splendour of the Chyulu Hills, this classic stone-built lodge overlooks its own water hole which is visited daily by elephants, buffalos and a wide variety of plains game. One of the first lodges ever to be built in a national park, the lodge is cool, tranquil and hushed for optimum game-viewing. It is also ideally placed for visits to all the park's prime attractions.

Faced in volcanic stone and utilising the natural rocky outcrops of a valley known as ‘the place of the young rhino', from which it takes its name, the lodge features a thatched central dining area and a rock-built bar, with a viewing terrace looking directly down on to the waterhole.

All the spacious ensuite rooms have their own verandas, some overlooking the waterhole, some the Chyulu Hills, which are one of the world's youngest volcanic ranges. The lodge consists of 56 rooms (inclusive of 5 suites; all non-smoking). Each tastefully-appointed room features natural volcanic stone walls, king-sized bed or luxurious twins, lavish all-encompassing mosquito-curtaining, ceiling fan, bathroom (with walk-in shower), bathrobe and slippers, writing/vanity unit and private verandah.

The five spacious and luxuriously appointed Kilaguni suites are accommodated in their own volcanic-stone building with stunning views over the waterhole and towards the Chyulu Hills.

The central dining room, which is partially open-air, overlooks the water-hole and features a stone-built viewing terrace. Breakfast and lunch are presented in buffet-style and feature a wide range of international choices. In typical safari style, the lodge offers a ‘full English Breakfast' as well as European options while the lunch menus will typically include meat, poultry, fish and vegetarian options. The table d'hôte dinner menus feature a salad buffet, soup, entrée, pudding, cheese and biscuits and tea or coffee. Vegetarian options are always available. The majority of the meat and dairy products as well as fruits and vegetables are sourced from the communities that surround the park. The lodge offers three special 'theme nights': Pasta Night: features a range of home-made pastas and traditional Italian sauces. Mongolian Night: presents a fusion of oriental stir-fry, BBQs and spiced roasts. Kenyan Night: features such Kenyan favourites as ‘Nyama Choma' (traditionally roasted meats), ‘Sukuma' (local spinach cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic and coriander), ‘Posho' (maize) and other cultural specialities.

The open-air, rock-built bar also overlooks the water-hole and features relaxing day beds with glorious views of the Chyulu Hills. There is also a garden swimming pool and sundeck. At evenings there are Akamba dance performances and music from a resident guitarist. The lodge also offers dinner in the bush, breakfast on Lion Rock or Sundowners on Roaring Rocks. Sattelite TV is available in communal areas, WiFi is available also in the tents. There is also a 24-hour on-call medical services.

Man Eaters Camp

Man Eaters is a luxury tented camp nestled on the banks of the Tsavo River only 1 km off the main Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Man Eaters Camp has accessibility to both Tsavo East [10 km] and Tsavo West [2 km]. Man Eaters camp is located a kilometre from Tsavo station, and Tsavo Bridge which became famous in Kenya's colonial history for the Man Eaters of Tsavo. In this case specifically the story of two man eating maneless lions which terrorised the local and indian railway workers during the construction of the Kenya Uganda railway, and killed up to 135 workers, inspiring many movies such as Bwana Devil and The Ghost and Darkness.

The camp consists of 30 luxury en-suite tents, all built along the river bank to afford all guests a view from their private balcony, each with a sun bed, overlooking the Tsavo River. Across the banks one can view the game coming to quench their thirst from the dry heat Tsavo is so famous for. The tents are spacious, cool and blend in magically with the environment. They are beautifully decorated with all locally produced furniture and linen.

With it's upscale, fine dining restaurant amid the backwoods of Tsavo West, Man Eaters offers guests a chance to experience Nouvelle continental cuisine with a touch of romance. Enjoy a tantalising 5 course meal in natural ambience while the sound of the Tsavo river sets the mood.

Rustically decorated with plush sofas, the Man Eaters Lounge with it's close proximity to the tents and the restaurant, it's bird eye view of both the pool and river is a wonderful place to relax either while waiting to go off on your game drive or before dinner. The Camp has managed to acquire and put on display a few authentic items from the actual railways time which add to the mystery and aura of the camp. Take some time to look at the various items on display and immerse yourself in a bygone time. The Reception staff are always happy to talk you through the use and history of each item.

There is no better place to fully take in the raw beauty of the scenery, the luxury of the camp, sip on a cocktail and be awe inspired by your surroundings than the Simba Mbili Bar. On the river bank, by the pool, the bar is the perfect place to cool off and wind down after a hot and dusty game drive or have an aperitif before dinner. If the tantalising cocktails have not done a good enough job of cooling you down, why not take a dip in the Rock Pool. Set in the very rocks on which the camp was built, the crystal blue waters are a refreshing oasis from which to sip a drink and watch the sights Tsavo West has to offer. A great place to get a tan and even some magical holiday photos to make everyone back home truly envious!

Severin Safari Camp

Severin Safari Camp is located within Tsavo West National Park, about 40 km from the park entrance at Mtito Andei. It is not fenced and therefore perfectly integrated into nature. Massai warriors assure your safety around the clock and also stand representatively for the balance of man and nature at Severin Safari Camp.

The Camp offers 27 luxuriously equipped accomodations (21 tents, 4 Junior Suites and 2 Suites) as well as 8 self-catering Bandas, all located within 25 hectares of bushland.

The 21 octagonal tents are equipped with running cold and hot water, shower, separate toilet with bidet, comfortable beds with mosquito nets and private terrace. Each tent offers 220 volt electricity, hair-dryer and a safe.

The four Junior Suites are built in stone and additionally offer a separate living room, sun deck with loungers and a private courtyard with outdoor shower. The Junior Suites are namend Mzima Springs, Roaring Rocks, Chyulu Hills and Shetani Cave and provide spacious bathrooms flooded with sunlight with two wash hand basins. The coffee and tea making facilities, basic beverages of the minibar as well as butler service is included.

The elevated observation decks of the Kibo and Mawenzi Suite offer a wonderful view to Mt. Kilimanjaro and the wide savannah of Tsavo. The spacious suites are additionally equipped with a corner bathtub and are perfectly suitable for families due to the adjoining tent. The coffee and tea making facilities, basic beverages of the minibar as well as butler service is included.

The eight self catering Kitani Bandas are equipped with kitchenette, private bathroom and beds with mosquito nets and offer an authentic feeling of Africa. From the canopied veranda you overlook your own fireplace.

The centre of the camp is located under a cool Makuti roof and accommodates the reception, the "Thorn Tree" Bar and the "Out of Africa" Restaurant. Unique à la carte menus with a choice of finest African wines await you. The chef is famous for his meat specialties which are prepared on a hot stone or as fondue. Both restaurant and bar offer a wonderful view of the waterhole and the wandering animals. Next to the bar there is a campfire for the evenings, where you can relax at the end of the day while enjoying a drink and observe the game coming to the illuminated waterhole.

Voyager Ziwani

With a spectacular view of mystical Mount Kilimanjaro, and easy access to the wild attractions of Tsavo West National Park, Voyager Ziwani offers a tranquil retreat in one of the wildest places left on Earth. Locatedon a private sanctuary on the western edge of Tsavo, the camp sits on a secluded dam on the Sante River – home to turtles, crocodiles and hundreds of basking hippos.

Voyager Ziwani offers 25 beautiful earth-colored designer safari tents that have been furnished to provide the classic ambiance of a traditional African camping safari. Fitted with large windows and shade netting to keep the interiors cool and filled with natural light, each tent has a verandah for guests to relax and watch the wildlife against the backdrop of Africa’s tallest mountain - Kilimanjaro. Situated around the banks for the Sante River each tent has a size of 26m² and is comfortably furnished with either a queen size bed 150x200 or 2 twin beds 100x200. Each luxury tent is spacious and features modern en suite bathroom with a flush toilet, piping hot shower all the necessary amenities. The luxury tents have a large secluded verandah overlooking the wildlife-rich shores of the river.

Ngulia Safari Lodge

Ngulia Safari Lodge, built in 1969, is located within Tsavo West National Park, perched on the Ndawe Escarpment just below Ngulia Hills, overlooking the Rhino Sanctuary surrounded by scenic Hills. Ngulia Safari Lodge no doubt has one of the most breathtaking views in Kenya.

The Lodge has 52 standard rooms, all with bath and shower and a balcony with a view of the vast wilderness and floodlit water holes. The main restaurant, built in an open–air style, has a view of floodlit water holes and the Leopard dinning tree. Buffet is served at all meals. There is also the Leopard view bar open in the evenings before the arrival of the leopard from the wilderness. Guests can enjoy their meals as they watch the leopard feast, other animals drink water and the birds compete in their melodies.

Rhino Valley Lodge

Set against the backdrop of the rugged but scenic Ngulia Hills, Rhino Valley Lodge offers the most idyllic view of the pristine Tsavo West National Park, which teams with nature’s wildlife – the lion, buffalo, elephant, cheetah, leopard, hippo, rhino and thousands of savannah wildlife. These can be viewed all year round from the verandas of the camp’s bandas as they frequently go to the water pond just a few meters below the camp.

Located 40 km from Mtito Andei Gate, Rhino Valley Lodge is an unrivalled haven for those who love nature and a perfect retreat in the wild. The nights have their own unique ambiance, a pot-pourri of hundreds of different animal, birds and insect noises. The camp is designed to blend with the surrounding vegetation and landscape. From a distance, one may be forgiven for mistaking it for one of Ngulia Hills rock outcrops.

The Lodge has six self-catering bandas, six standard rooms, 10 luxury rock rooms and a camp-site constructed to meet the needs of the discerning traveler. The rock room is one of the most unique ‘caveman’ indulgences you will not find anywhere else in the world. In fact, it’s an experience of a lifetime!

The self-catering bandas are tastefully furnished with rugged twin beds, a well-equiped kitchenette, and a complete bathroom suite will provide with the comforts of home away from home.

The camp has a modern gourmet restaurant with an elaborate menu specifically designed for those who love the outdoors. It also prides a well stocked ‘tree bar’, another extra-ordinary experience under wide starry tropical skies and in the warmth of a campfire. The camp is lit by a super-silent generator that comforts to stringent international wildlife and environmental requirements.