Born Free Safaris
- Located In:
-
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
Email Michael | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and accommodating
It was my third trip to Africa and my wife's 4th, but the first time using Born Free Safaris. Trip was excellent and the accommodations were first class. Game drives and guides were also excellent, and they made their best efforts for us to have a premier game drive experience. My in-laws joined us, and their expectations were low on accommodations, animal viewing, and overall experience; however they were blown away with the experience. Our only regret was that we did not see the actual crossing, but we will hopefully achieve that the next time.
CA
Email Marc Shade | Experience level: first safari
Pandemic profiteers
I booked a tour prior to the pandemic and even though I cancelled almost a year in advance (November 2021), I was refused ANY refund of an almost $3,000 deposit even though every though it cost absolutely $0 to cancel any hotel reservation made on my behalf. Immoral and unethical!
Reply from Born Free Safaris
Posted on Oct 12, 2026This is many years later but we again want to explain and apologize for what was a situation none of us had every been in. Covid set new grounds and business decisions had to be made - always taking in consideration the traveler. Mr Shade did not mention that Born Free was able to arrange for a full credit for a future booking when travel was safe. His deposit was sent to Africa to hold the hotel space. Companies were not giving back deposits that were already sent to Africa to hold space. Born Free did not 'profiteer' at all - we lost the booking and the funds. This was a very difficult situation for every one but it was not immoral or unethical far from it. The funds helped many people in the hospitality field in Africa keep their jobs through the pandemic. Locals would have starved and worse. But if Mr. Shade wanted to rebook and use that credit we would have given him full credit plus a discount on the new trip. This is many years later, we did let him know this immediately but this poor review is still up. We hold our reputation high and have been creating trips for 50 years. Things do happen and we do our best to do the honorable thing in all cases for the traveler.
Email Pam | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Update
I wrote a review of Born Free Safaris in May 2018 titled, "Use another company". I would like to revise that review and update to a 4 star review. I have taken many, many safaris - some with Born Free and some with other companies. Just because one trip with Born Free was not up to their usual excellent standards, I decided to update my review. In addition, I received an email from the {resident of Born Free offering to make it up to me, and I do appreciate that.
Previous trips with Born Free were excellent and I would rate them the best of most of my Africa trips.
Not like our last trip
We previously went on a great East Africans Safari with Born Free. We asked them to help with another trip a year later. This did not go at all well and Born Free did not take appropriate responsibility for the clear errors that occurred, which significantly and negatively affected our trip.
They did not stand behind their travel product and I can no longer recommend Born Free.
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.
Email Pam | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Use another company
Africa is fabulous even though Born Free Safaris is not. They charge more than anyone but our vehicle was tattered and had no air conditioning!!! They charge premium prices but use poor vehicles and airlines. They routed me with Kenyan Airlines and every single flight was either cancelled or was very late leaving or arriving. I found out from other travelers that they could have used Emirates Airlines which is a 5 star airline and went to the same places. Born Free uses the cheapest of everything but charges the most. Use another company. I hear Odyssys Unlimited is great!!!
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.
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!
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.