Born Free Safaris
- Located In:
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United States
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1976)
- Member Of:
- IATA, KATS & APTA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Paul Clarkson, Kansas | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip, just lost cash out of my backpack when we were told it would be secure.
Again Great tour, just am not happy about no one having any interest in figuring out blame for someone taking cash out of my wallet when it was in a backpack in the safari vehicle, we were told it would be secure, it was not.
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Email Phred | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our trip could not have been planned better.
I have prepared below a brief travelogue of the vacation Born Free Safaris provided for us. We have nothing but praise. Each property was very well chosen. Unlike some other complicated vacations we have taken, every component of transportation from airport to lodge, lodge to lodge, and hotel to airport went flawlessly. Deborah Urquhart, our travel agent at Born Free, could not have been better at working with me to provide the best possible experience. Bravo!
Our first lodge was Tintswalo - be prepared to be awed. This property is exquisite. It is designed to emulate what a turn-of-the 20th century might have looked like. Think of the movie “Out of Africa”. Maybe even better. We had a huge suite, with its own splash pool, and a family of elephants visiting the grounds regularly. Food was gourmet-level. Service was highly professional. Our guide and tracker really knew their stuff. Our three nights there were the best. We saw the “Big 5” twice in our first three game drives.
But, our nest lodge, Umkumbe, was more a 3-star than the 5-stars of Tintswalo – and that was actually great. It was very low-key and not luxurious, but felt very “homey”. Here, in Sabi Sands private reserve, our game drives were incredible. From getting close to a pride of lions on the hunt to a leopard and, later, an elephant passing within 3 feet of our Rover. That’s what we came to South Africa for. We stayed 3 nights there also.
Then we spent three nights at Makakatana Bay Lodge, which is almost on the Indian Ocean. Because it is close to a huge estuary, it focuses on the water. They say here is the largest grouping of hippos in Africa. We took a pontoon boat ride through the waterway and saw dozens of herds of dozens of hippos. Some books give Makatana 4-stars, but we would give it 5. A small step down from Tintswalo, but only because Tintswalo is a 6-star property. Our room was modern and huge.
Each of these lodges provided different perspectives on the safari experience and we were thoroughly satisfied.
Our daughter had to get back to work, but my wife and I then flew to Cape Town for 3 nights at the V and A Waterfront Hotel. A super location. Can walk to the Aquarium and the new Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. A small upscale mall is attached to the hotel and a large mall is only a few steps away, as is a giant Ferris wheel. While the hotel is a “grand old lady”, our room was fully modern and comfortable.
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Email Sandra | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Meticulous planning and execution for outstanding accommodations, food, guides, drivers, wildlife.
Communications stateside and throughout trip were excellent., Prompt, knowledgeable, congenial and helpful guides and drivers added great value to understanding not only of wildlife and local sites, but of history, economics, conservation etc. These two 80 year-olds could have used a a "down" day after the first week. In short, everything exceeded expectations.
Born Free arranged our Safari in Tanzania
Guides will make or break your Safari. Born Free provided our group with the best guides imaginable!! Fabulous Trip!
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Email Bill | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personalized Safari
Alana spent a lot time with on the phone to plan our safari. She delivered. We had two fantastic driver/guides that were knowledgeable and friendly. My wife was reluctant to come on this trip, but when the guides helped identify so many new birds. Having a private tour was great, our guides were delighted to adjust the program to our interest and timing (my wife got to sleep in a couple of mornings). The accommodations were casual but elegant; the staffs were better than we’ve had a many 5star hotels.
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Email Alex T | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a Life Time Trip I can't wait to repeat!
We worked with Born Free Safaris & Tours for our trip to Africa. Deborah was our agent who was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I am not used to relinquishing the travel accommodations to someone else but Deborah put together an absolutely amazing trip. We had a limiting budget and time restrictions and Deborah helped us put together a trip that fit our budget, and time, and we walked away not wanting to leave. We stayed at incredible accommodations and the trip went off without a hitch. She booked us at Inyati Game Lodge which was by far our favorite part of the trip. The facilities and staff were incredible and we met so many amazing people as it was so small and everyone ate their meals together. We cannot wait to return to Africa and will absolutely be looking to Deborah and Born Free to help us with our next trip. We have already recommend many people use them.
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Email David Martin | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Trip Perfect in all Ways
We just returned from a 15 day trip to Tanzania, Kenya and Cape Town all arranged by Born Free Safaris. The sights and animals were unbelievable. Alana and her team put together the perfect trip. All arrangements were spot on and we were met everywhere by personable and helpful guides.There was not one hiccup on the entire trip. They took time to listen to our goals and tailored the trip to us. Would use them again in a flash.
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Email Tim | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip Review - Tanzania
Alana Hayden and her staff were excellent to work with. They began by spending quite a bit of time just finding out what I was looking for in a safari. Once they understood that, they made some very excellent suggestions, which they allowed me to customize to exactly what I wanted. They helped me plan and execute a most perfect safari.
Thanks BORN FREE - it was a trip of a lifetime!!
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Email kumud | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
seamless efficiency and flexibility in giving you the experience you want.
exceptional company. I had a situation where I may have had to cancel in the last month and they were willing to work with me. I went as planned.
The accommodations were even better than I expected, food good and our guide friendly and responsive to our wish list. By the end of the trip we had seen all that the six of us had wished.
It was a glorious trip and I would use them again without hesitation.
Trip of a Lifetime - Thanks to Born Free!!!
Born Free did an exceptional job. From beginning to end the service was above and beyond. Alana and her team listened to our wants and needs and delivered on all counts. She used her expertise to steer us to locations and properties that fit our needs and provided an optimal safari experience for the time of year. what an amazing experience. Our guides and contacts were knowledgeable, friendly, professional and detail oriented. From Mary and Benson in Kenya to Justin, Fabian and Moses in Tanzania we could not have been in better hands.