Kenya Born Free Safari

An enlightening and unforgettable experience awaits you on this unique journey through Kenya to the spiritual home of Elsa the lioness, whose captivating story inspired the iconic movie Born Free and changed forever the world’s view of wild animals and conservation.

The Born Free Foundation, a charity long supported by Kuoni, was established by husband and wife actors Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers who were inspired by their time in Kenya making the big screen adaptation of conservationist Joy Adamson’s hit book ‘Born Free’. Joy’s book (and the subsequent film) was a heartwarming true-life tale of her and husband George’s magical relationship with Elsa, an orphaned lioness that was hand-reared and subsequently re-released back into the Kenyan bush. Whilst on the tour, you will meet representatives from the foundation, experience some of the work they have undertaken and visit some of the iconic sites that shaped the life of Elsa the lioness and the legacy she inspired.

Highlights include talks by representatives from the Born Free Foundation, visits to the famous Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, The Amboseli Elephant Research Project, the Adamson’s Elsamere Conservation Trust and also to a local school helped by The Born Free Foundation and by Kuoni’s fundraising in the UK. You will also voyage to Elsa the lioness’s final resting place, explore some little visited corners of Kenya and experience the thrill of game driving through some of Africa’s greatest national parks.


For details, please refer to the information below.

MEAL PLAN
Dinner on Day 2; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days 3-9; breakfast and lunch on Day 10. All drinks are at extra cost. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on the extension.

GRATUITIES
Small amounts are recommended for services such as porterage.

GROUP SIZE
Maximum 6 per vehicle.

TRAVEL TIPS
Pack a mixture of light and warm clothing in soft bags weighing a maximum of 15kg.

ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR
A range of accommodation from well facilitated city hotels to authentic safari lodges and rustic yet luxurious bush camps.

ANANEA
•    Meet representatives from the Born Free Foundation, one of the leading wildlife charities in the world and charity partner of Kuoni UK since 2003.

•   Enjoy a private, out of hours visit the world famous Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for an intimate encounter with the residents and their keepers.

•   Make a pilgrimage to Elsamere Conservation Trust which is located in the former home of Joy Adamson and was established to continue the work begun by them in the 1960s.

•   Visit Manyatta school which has been supported by The Born Free Foundation and Kuoni UK, helping to provide more classrooms and improve the environment in which the children learn.

•   Visit Amboseli Elephant Research Project for a talk by a representative on the work undertaken to protect Amboseli National Park’s 1,500 elephants.

•   Explore little visited Meru National Park, the place where George and Joy Adamson returned Elsa to the wild, thus inspiring the movement that followed.

•   Explore the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, including visits to East Africa’s largest rhino sanctuary as well as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

•   Enjoy game drives through some of Kenya’s prime big game viewing country. Extend your tour with a stay in the heart of the Maasai Mara at Little Governors’ Camp. As part of the Governors’ Group this is one of Africa’s most environmentally and socially responsible hotels.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO NAIROBI
Kenya Airways overnight flight from Heathrow to Nairobi.

DAY 2 - NAIROBI
On arrival in Nairobi you will be met by a Born Free representative and transferred to the Nairobi Serena  Hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a private visit to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Experiencing this world-famous orphanage outside of regular opening hours ensures an intimate elephant viewing away from the crowds, with staff on hand to answer any questions. Afterwards, travel to Nairobi National Park, stopping to view the poignant Ivory Burning Site Memorial, which commemorates the site where former president Daniel Arap Moi confiscated and burnt ten tons of ivory in a bid to eliminate the mass slaughter of Africa's elephants for their tusks. Dinner tonight includes a talk from a Born Free representative. Return to the Nairobi Serena Hotel for one night.

DAY 3 - NAIROBI TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Journey to Amboseli National Park. After a brief rest at the Amboseli Serena Lodge, enjoy a private game drive in the park. Spot large herds of elephant, cheetah and buffalo against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Also visit one of the lion-proof Maasai Bomas supported by Born Free. Return to the Amboseli Serena Lodge for dinner and a two night stay.

DAY 4 - AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Embark on a morning game drive. There is also the opportunity to visit Ol Moti School, supported by Born Free (you may like to bring small gifts for the children such as pens and books). Funds raised thus far have enabled the school to expand from just 74 children in 2004 to educating more than 365 children today, with new dormitories, classrooms and toilets. Another thrilling game drive is arranged for this afternoon, as well as a visit to the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (AERP), the research arm of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE). A short talk from an AERP representative will explain the work of the Trust as well as the research projects being undertaken. As a result of their work, the park’s 1,500 elephants are amongst the most studied large mammal population in the world, with the knowledge gained helping to conserve them, the park and the surrounding ecosystems.

DAY 5 - AMBOSELI TO LAKE NAIVASHA
Travel to Lake Naivasha and arrive at Loldia House in time for lunch. Enjoy activities including bird-watching, a visit to a local flower farm or school, or spend time exploring the ranch in a shared vehicle. Stay two nights at Loldia House.

DAY 6 - LAKE NAIVASHA
Spend this morning at leisure enjoying the facilities at Loldia House (optional activities at extra cost). After lunch, visit the Elsamere Conservation Trust. Elsamere was the home of Joy Adamson, and now the trust that was established in 1963 to continue their dedicated wildlife conservation. Attend a talk by a trust representative, watch a short video on the life and work of Joy Adamson, visit the small museum displaying a range of evocative memorabilia and enjoy afternoon tea.

DAY 7 - LAKE NAIVASHA TO OL PEJETA
Travel north-east to Ol Pejeta, a wildlife conservancy made up of extensive savannah grasslands and riverine forests that border the Ewaso Nyiro  River. Visit the Manyatta Primary School project, supported by both Born Free and Kuoni (you may like to bring small gifts for the children). As a result of funds raised by Born Free and Kuoni, the school now boasts five permanent classrooms, a library, books, desks, safe drinking water, a tree nursery and solar heating panels, all of which have made a huge difference for the children and their community. This afternoon, embark on private game drives with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, and visit the remarkable Rhino Sanctuary – the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa – and the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where the highly endangered chimpanzee can be seen. Spend tonight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

DAY 8 - OL PEJETA TO MERU NATIONAL PARK
Continue to Meru National Park, the historic home of Elsa the lioness. It was here that Joy and George Adamson returned Elsa to the wild. Encounter a true wilderness experience on a private game drive through the park’s diverse landscape dominated by huge baobab trees. This little-visited and unspoilt park is also home to the exclusive Elsa’s Kopje lodge, an elegant safari lodge with spectacular views that is built on a rocky hill not far from the site of George Adamson’s first campsite. Enjoy a two night stay here.

DAY 9 - MERU NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy a traditional bush breakfast arranged by the lodge. Explore this beautiful park further on three game drives, during which you may spot black rhino, cheetah, leopard and rare antelope amongst other African wildlife. You will also make a moving visit to the site of Elsa’s grave.

DAY 10 - MERU TO LONDON
Travel back to Nairobi for lunch at the Southern Sun Nairobi. Afternoon transfer to Nairobi airport for your return Kenya Airways overnight flight to Heathrow.


ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR

A range of accommodation from well facilitated city hotels to authentic safari lodges and rustic yet luxurious bush camps.

Nairobi Serena  Hotel

A luxurious pool and fine restaurants form the focal points of the Nairobi Serena - a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and renowned for high standards of comfort and service in a relaxed atmosphere.

Amboseli Serena Lodge

Amboseli is the Africa of your imagination – rolling savannah in the iconic shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro patrolled by vast herds of elephant accompanied by lion, buffalo, cheetah and giraffe. This very traditional but serenely luxurious lodge draws on the culture and stunning craftwork of the Maasai for its beautiful style.

Loldia House

Experience the life of Kenya’s early colonial era at Loldia House - a beautiful converted farmhouse, established by a settler who came here by ox-wagon after the Boer War and still owned by the same family. A gorgeous setting in the Great Rift Valley and impeccable Old World service make for a truly wonderful bush escape.

Sweetwaters Tented Camp

Nestled in a sheltered oasis clustered around a waterhole, this elegant destination emphasises privileged seclusion on one of only four private reserves in Kenya. Sweetwaters abounds with wildlife and offers a charming example of glamorous tented safari ambience, all with the quality associated with the Serena brand.

Elsa’s Kopje

Built on a rocky hill or ‘kopje’ not far from the site of George Adamson’s first campsite, Elsa’s Kopje is an elegant safari lodge with stunning stone cottages built into the hillside and spectacular views. There is an open bar, lounge and dining room with an inviting infinity pool overlooking the Meru plains.

Little Governors’ (EXTENSION)
A traditional tented camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara, Little Governors’ is intimate in character, with just 17 luxury en-suite tents tucked around a large watering hole that teems with both birds and wildlife. Shady forest settings, comfortable tents and expert rangers ensure safari heaven.

MAASAI MARA EXTENSION

DAY 10 - MERU TO MAASAI MARA
Fly via Nairobi to Little Governors’ Camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara for two nights of luxury and exciting game viewing in one of Africa’s most iconic National Parks.
DAY 12 - MAASAI MARA TO LONDON
Return flight to Nairobi for your Kenya Airways overnight flight to Heathrow.