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 Donna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I Simply Can't Wait for My Next Trip with Born Free!
I've dreamed about taking an African safari for years and took a lot to time researching the areas and places I wanted to visit. Thinking that I could package the whole trip together myself, I spent hours pouring over web site reviews and the multitude of aspects (time of year, area, countries, operators, etc.) needed to make decisions. I was overwhelmed. That's when Born Free came into the picture. I spoke to Alana and explained exactly what I wanted and the comfort level I wanted to travel. I'm a bit more rugged while my husband likes the finer things in life. She customized a tour within our specified budget specifically addressing all of the things we wanted to see and how we wanted to see them. I knew the cost of most things as I did the homework first, and Born Free was extremely reasonable! But even better, she provided her expertise about the various countries and seasons, when to go and when not to go, how to get there, etc. She is a wealth of information. Melissa who works with Alana at Born Free was amazing at keeping us posted on when to do certain things (visas), creating our tight itinerary, and notifying us of any changes. They prepared a great little document package for the trip. While I felt taken care of pre-trip, I really felt taken care of throughout the entire trip! We had fantastic guides, bright, insightful and full of experience. The name Born Free helped us get into restaurants and sights as I realized once I was there that they are well connected. We were met at the airport each time we landed (we did Rwanda and Kenya) which made us feel very safe as let's face it, we're far from home. The accommodations were exactly what we wanted, clean, comfortable, excellent service, and food. The safari itself was simply a dream from the animals to the lush accommodations to the people that took care of us. I will definitely recommend Born Free to anyone wanting an amazing trip to Africa. She keeps your budget in mind and has the know how to piece it all together at a reasonable price. I simply can't wait for my next trip with Born Free....
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Email Matt H | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome African vacation!
This was my first time using Born Free Safaris and I was very happy how Stephanie took the time to learn my interests then put together a custom vacation/adventure for me. From our conversations before and emails during my trip, as well as calls from BFS local representatives, they made sure that my vacation was what I wanted and everything went as planned. Thanks to Stephanie's knowledge of Africa, she was able to have me stay in great hotels/ safari lodge and suggest activities that she knew I would like. During our conversations I mentioned my interest in conservation so Stephanie gave me the contact info for the local anti poaching unit so I could meet with them and donate supplies for their organization. It was this attention to detail and extra effort to personalize my trip that makes me happy that I trusted Born Free safaris/ Stephanie Levy to plan my African vacation.
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Email Shadi Razifard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Detail oriented professionals, who made us feel taken care of, at the right price.
For my 50th birthday my family and I traveled to Tanzania for a combination of Humanitarian efforts and Safari. All of our arrangements were made by Born Free Safari, a US based company.
I wanted to visit a few orphanages while there, and their contacts in the area, arranged for visits to two local orphanages which matched the criteria I had in mind. This experience, added so much more richness to our already awesome trip.
The Safari, was truly amazing and I might be biassed, but I was convinced we had the best guide, Martin the Lion whisperer!!
It was very reassuring to be in such a remote part of the world, and feel that all details were handled and you are taken care of.
A few weeks before the trip, we received a comprehensive package, which included detailed daily trip itinerary, luggage tags, notes with contact info. to be placed inside our luggage in case our bags got lost, a list of animals to expect to see, a notebook and pen to write down our memoirs.
I can't thank Born Free Safari enough for making this trip of a life time so much more memorable.
With much gratitude,
Shadi
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Email Patrick Jager | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a Lifetime trip to Tanzania
Want to thank Born Free Safaris for developing a really fantastic itinerary. Each lodge/camp, each safari, each experience bested the one before. Really loved the prep and the support. Cannot wait to go back again SOON!
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Email Cyndy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Sept 2016
We just spent 15 days in South Africa, Botwana, Zambia and Zimbawe. Debra, from Born Free was our agent. She was a gift from heaven! She was never pushy or trying to sell us anything. She quickly foundout what our interest was and came up with a plan and itenerary. Then proceeded to help us with all our preparations. Visaa, pass ports, money, immunizations, ect. She left nothing out. The trip went perfect. We had NO worries. We had such a wonderful experience. Her advice and assistance was exceptional. She obviously was an expert and proffessional. If you are ever planning a trip to Africa, Debra should be your agent. I will be returning and She will definitly be planning my next adventure! Debra, Thankyou for making our trip so wonderful and perfect!
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Email David | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
strong endorsement for Born Free
I can only echo what others have said about professionalism of Alana and staff, both in the US, in Tanzania and Kenya. The trip was without a hitch. Guide were knowledgeable about animals, plants and camera angles. Food was wonderful wherever we stayed. This recent travel was the second that Born Free has planned for me and I would not hesitate to recommend them.
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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 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 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.
