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 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 Rick | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and knowledgeable
Alana and the rest of the Born Free staff were professional and responsive to our needs. The safari experience comes down to the skill and knowledge of the driver/guide when all is said and done and our driver was absolutely one of the best. We were there exclusively for photography and he did his very best to find us good light angles and understood what photographers need and want. This was our second time traveling with Born Free and would highly recommend them to anyone.
One thing to remember. Tanzania isn't a zoo and the animals move around, be patient. As we read on the back of a safari car "It's Hot, It's Dusty, It's an Adventure
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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.
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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!!!
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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!!