Born Free turns 60 this year

The Oscar-winning 1960 film based on Joy Adamson's bestselling book immortalised an orphaned lion cub that naturalists hand-reared and released into the wild.

Elsa's story changed everything

The film introduced a generation to the majesty and intelligence of lions, sparking global interest in wildlife protection and conservation.

Watch Born Free under African stars

At Elsa's Kopje lodge in Meru National Park, guests can watch the classic film on the lawn while sipping wine, surrounded by the wilderness where Elsa once roamed.

“Stars glimmer overhead, the opening credits roll and John Barry's theme tune from the film Born Free fills the warm evening air.”

Elsa's Kopje is the only luxury lodge here

The lodge sits in Kenya's Meru National Park, the exact location where the real Elsa the Lioness lived and was released into the wild.

Dawn safari brings rhino encounters

On early morning game drives with local guide Moses Muriithi, visitors spot rhinos approaching close enough to see every wrinkle in their hide.

Meru's lion population is thriving

The Born Free conservation foundation monitors 79 lions in Meru while working with Kenya Wildlife Service to protect elephants and giraffes across the park.

Poaching is now a thing of the past

Thanks to Born Free's conservation efforts and partnerships with Kenya Wildlife Service, local poaching has been eliminated in Meru National Park.

Head to Mara North for big cats

Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp in Mara North Conservancy offers prime big cat country where visitors encounter juvenile lions lounging in the greenery.

Spot juvenile lions like teenagers

A gang of young lions lounge in the greenery looking like teenagers after a big night out, offering an intimate glimpse of lion behaviour.

River Pride cubs steal the show

A group of playful River Pride lion cubs provides the grand finale to the safari experience, embodying the wild and free spirit of Elsa.

Hundreds of animals on display

Visitors see zebras, baboons, topi antelopes, cheetahs and countless other species roaming freely across the Kenyan wilderness.

Flights from London to Nairobi

Heathrow to Nairobi return flights start from 583 pounds, with onward flights to Meru and Mara North available through AirKenya.

Elsa's Kopje all-inclusive pricing

Elsa's Kopje costs from 285 pounds per person all-inclusive on a game drive package with two daily drives, bush sundowners, walking safaris and laundry.

Elephant Pepper Camp rates

Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp is priced from 570 pounds per person all-inclusive, offering luxury accommodation in prime wildlife viewing territory.

Plan your Born Free pilgrimage

Combine visits to both Elsa's Kopje in Meru and Elephant Pepper Camp in Mara North for a complete safari experience across Kenya's most iconic wildlife regions.

Conservation legacy lives on

Sixty years after the film, the Born Free foundation continues protecting lions, elephants and giraffes while maintaining Meru as a poaching-free sanctuary.

Experience safari like Elsa intended

Walking in the paw prints of Elsa the Lioness, visitors witness wild animals thriving freely in their natural habitat, exactly as the film envisioned.

“It's exactly how things should be on safari: wild and free. Just like Elsa.”