To get to Finch Hatton Luxury Camp, we had to hop onto a plane so small it swayed when we sneezed. As the plane took off at Wilson Airport, I looked around at the faces of my husband and kids and they were all trying not to blink just in case the wind carried us away. I may or may not have said a short prayer, and when I was convinced both the Lord and the pilot were in control, I relaxed a bit, looked out the window and marvelled at the beauty that is Tsavo National Park which I first visited many years ago as a student.
We were greeted by a tower of giraffes and a herd of antelopes when we landed. They graciously raised their heads to look at us and I was still admiring the giraffes’ perfect eyebrows when our guide, a staff of Finch Hatton, showed up to welcome us. He led us to our camp, a family suite that comes with two bedrooms and maximum privacy, and the first thing I noticed was how Finch Hatton lives up to the hype. The tents are beautifully designed, each with its own deck overlooking the water hole from which animals quench their thirst. They have outdoor showers and a Jacuzzi.
The dining options are tours of their own with the vistas, the landscapes and the starscapes all coming together to form one glorious scenery. Each meal is served at a different place within the camp and you have the option of dining at the main restaurant overlooking the pond where Hippos and crocodiles come out to bask. We had our dinner at the star-viewing setup restaurant and Lunch by the poolside.
Their wellness spa is one of the best and largest Bush spa I have come across, equipped with a Yoga Deck with a beautiful view of the Chyulu hills, infinity pool, Gym, sauna, and everything you could imagine in a Spa. And to make everything better, we were surrounded by wild animals and chirping birds that reminded us we were one with nature.
Because this trip was about relaxation and experiencing the Maasai culture, we chose to first visit Maasai Village. Besides, on our arrival night, during dinner, we spotted a buffalo just next to the campfire and so we were not enthused by the idea of a bushwalk. Maasai Village, as you would expect, was full of surprises. Our kids, Lindsay and Liam, who were yet to get over the fact that people actually lived in manyattas, looked on in shock as the Maasai drunk animal blood. I could see Liam visibly shaken, wondering whether he had made the right choice following us here. But I was happy they experienced this culture that has stood the test of time, hoping their curiosity about our different cultures and tourism will peak.
Unfortunately, we did not see Mt. Kilimanjaro because of the bad weather, but our trip was wholesome all the same. We went for game drives and saw plenty of giraffes, elephants, leopards, wild dogs and many others, and when it was time to leave, I could see the disappointment in the faces of my family. But we reluctantly dragged our bags and hopped onto the same small plane while I plotted my return to the amazing Finch Hatton.
Side Note:
Tsavo is one park that’s less-visited yet it’s unique in so many ways. First, it’s designated as Kenya’s oldest and largest national park of about 20,333 sq. km. The park borders Kenya, Tanzania, and it’s home to the last of Super Tusker Elephants of Kenya-Elephants with long Tusks that almost touch the ground.
Tsavo can be accessed by Road, Train, or by flight, the road option will take you approximately 5 hours depending on the traffic, the train will be approximately 3 hours, and the flight about 50 minutes.
Beautiful put, felt like I was there too
Thank you, Emma