Elsa’s Kopje Meru

The Born Free foundation is a wildlife charity devoted to animal species across the globe. It has had and is continuing to have a significant impact on the way the world cares for its animals. 2014 sees the 30th anniversary of this essential organisation, and it has had a touching and important history.

The movie Born Free

In 1964 Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna first travelled to Kenya to star in the classic wildlife film ‘Born Free’. This  was the inspiration behind the eventual formation of the foundation 20 years later. The film told the true story of George and Joy Adamson, who raised Elsa, a beautiful orphaned lion cub. They were later forced to give Elsa away, either to a zoo or release her to the wild. Having formed an everlasting bond with Elsa, Joy made the brave decision to work at releasing her back into the wild and natural habitat of Kenya – a move that changed public perception of keeping animals captive in zoos forever.

Virginia and Bill

Spending the time in Kenya making Born Free had a profound effect on Virginia and Bill, which lead Bill to begin producing other wildlife documentaries. In 1969 ‘An Elephant Called Slowly’ was produced and was set to have a further profound effect on public perceptions. The story followed the fate of elephant calf Pole-Pole who was snatched from his mother as a gift from the Kenyan Government to London Zoo. Despite having no power to prevent the calf being taken from the wild and from its mother, the pair campaigned as much as possible to prevent the move, and worked tirelessly to ensure Pole-Pole’s welfare.

Pole Pole

Bill and Virginia did not forget the plight of this little elephant. In 1982 they travelled to the zoo to see for themselves the fate of Pole Pole, and they found her lonely, frustrated, and aged by her experience in captivity. But, in a moment that changed Virginia’s life forever the elephant remembered them. As Virginia called out to her, she reached out to them in response. It was enough to rekindle their campaign to improve her life, and get her out of captivity. Unfortunately it was too late and in 1983, aged just 16, this influential elephant died – she lived a third of the life expectancy of an elephant in the wild.

Death of Pole Pole

Extremely saddened by the premature death of Pole Pole, in 1984 the Born Free Foundation was born. In its first guise the Born Free Foundation was established as ‘Zoo Check’ by Virginia, Bill and Bill’s son, Will Travers. They worked extensively to ensure the welfare of all animals in zoos across the UK, to ensure that zoos worked to provide the best conditions possible for animals. Still now Born Free works to phase out zoos and keep wildlife in the wild.

Birth of the foundation

It was in 1998 that Born Free Foundation Ltd. was established as we know it today. The umbrella organisation now encompasses the Zoo Check campaign, Elefriends Campaign, Wolf Campaign, Dolphin Campaign, Primate Campaign, Big Cat Campaign, and the Bear Campaign. This was where the organisation really became a fundamental part of caring for animal welfare across the globe. On its 25th anniversary in 2009 the Born Free Foundation thrust itself back into the media limelight and the public eye with a celebrity filled fundraiser in the Royal Albert Hall. Gabriella Cilmi, Martin Clunes, Bryan Adams and Joanna Lumely joined supporters to raise funds and to help save 25,000 animals world-wide.

Success

In 2014 Born Free continues to change attitudes of humans and provide animals with a voice. By supporting responsible safaris Born Free seeks to protect animals, and to promote a variety of welfare campaigns such as fighting the Ivory Trade and hunting as a form of sport, challenging exploitation of animals in circuses and zoos, and opposing killing wild animals as bush meat. Through global initiatives they can respond to emergency situations and they currently participate in Global International coalitions such as the Species Survival Network, and the People & Wildlife project with Oxford University. So their message is clear and one that we share. Animals need to be protected from human intervention and are best enjoyed where they can be healthy and happy: in their natural habitat.

Game drives

Elsa’s Kopje has open gamedrive vehicles. The current fleet are new, specially fitted, 4×4 Toyota Landcruisers. The vehicles are unrivalled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography – open sided with 3 rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Clients will share game drives unless “exclusive use of vehicle” has been pre-booked at an extra charge. The park has enormous diversity of habitat and wildlife, gamedrives will take you through forests, past giant baobab trees, through clear spring fed streams lined with palms. This is lion and elephant country, but also Meru has many rare species including caracal, the beautiful Lesser Kudu, aardwolf, and over 400 species of birds.

Night game drives

Elsa’s Kopje has the whole National Park almost exclusively, and offers pre-dinner game drives with a red-light spotlights. Gamedriving at dusk and early evening opens up a whole new world, bushbabies, hunting predators, owls.

Day excursions to the Tana river

Take a picnic lunch, and take the whole day to explore the sandy Tana River, Kenya’s longest. Rising in the highlands of Mt Kenya and travelling 704kms before emptying into the Indian Ocean.

Rhino sanctuary

The National Park incorporates an 84 sq km rhino sanctuary, home to over 70 rhino, both black and white. The size of the sanctuary ensures that finding the rhino is still a gamedriving challenge!

Guided walks

Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things – tracks, dung beetles, naked mole rats and micro-ecosystems. One of the most popular walks is a climb up to the very top of Mughwango Hill, enjoying a 360 degree view from snow-capped Mt Kenya in the west to the vast Meru plains to the east. For some walks, Kenya Wildlife Service charge a small additional park fee.

River fishing

Take your rod, afternoon tipple with some canapés and a good book, and settle on the palm lined banks of one of Meru’s many rivers. The fishing is fun, with plentiful catfish, tilapia and barbell. Share your prey with herons, monitor lizards and spectacular kingfishers.

Swimming pool

Enjoy the cool waters in the heat of the day! An infinity pool perched on the side of the hill, the views are indeed infinite! The pool has bar service. The private house has its own private swimming pool.

Bush breakfasts and sundowners

Take a moment to sit back, enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colours, and the gentle breeze. Bush breakfasts are a chance to enjoy a full breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plains, surrounded by wildlife. “Sundowners” are a safari tradition – after a day of safari; stop, watch the spectacular sunset; traditionally with a gin and tonic in hand.

Massages

Safari is also a holiday and a rest – a break from today’s frenetic lifestyle. Elsa’s Kopje offers massages for wonderful way to ease the stress out of tired shoulders and backs.

Cultural visits

Elsa’s Kopje works with closely with the Tharaka community, and there are ways that you can get involved. Traditionally known for their ornate clothing including distinctive leather skirts and long cowrie shell decorated aprons for women, while the men wore animal skin cloaks and feathered headdresses that were a sign of prestige. Their houses are round with conical shaped roofs, thatched with grass.

Honeymoons

There is nothing more romantic than a safari! Already an unforgettable, once in a lifetime and pampered experience; safaris offer incredible sunsets, romantic tents with spectacular views, and relaxed al fresco dinners. All the cottages at Elsa’s Kopje are outstanding suites, but we also have a “Honeymoon Suite” which can be booked especially for a honeymoon. Being a very special holiday, we often have special offers and upgrades for honeymooners.

Weddings

Over the years, Elsa’s Kopje has hosted very many beautiful weddings, blessings, and renewal of vows for our guests. From small simple ceremonies involving merely a glass of champagne at the end of a gamedrive; to elaborate three day events, with over 20 guests taking over the whole property. Discuss your ideas with your travel agent, or contact us for more information.

Cottages

Nestled into the hillside, and overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park, each of Elsa’s Kopje’s open-fronted cottages are unique in design and offer an elegant safari style.

Family cottage

Brand new and with panoramic views of the Park. The Family Cottage is a spacious 2-bedroom cottage with a double and a twin room, both en-suite, a beautiful living room, large private deck and an outside bath by the master bedroom.

Honeymoon suites

Overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park, Elsa’s has three Honeymoon Suites.  Two of the suites have romantic outside baths and one suite has three levels featuring a private sitting room, main bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a small private deck. For families with small children, two of the Suites can accommodate an extra bed suitable for children under 16.

Private house

Overlooking the vast plains of Meru National Park and facing Mt Kenya, Elsa’s Private House consists of one en-suite master bedroom with dressing room, one en-suite twin bedroom, a large dining and sitting room, a private garden and infinity swimming pool. The private house can fit two extra beds, for children under 16yrs.

Make a difference

On your safari, through the Land and Life Foundation, you can really make a difference to the communities you are travelling near, by donating stationary, text books, uniforms, food and sports equipment in person, directly to the staff and pupils of a school. We work closely with the Committees of each school to make sure that each donation addresses a genuine need highlighted specifically by the school staff and parents.

Ura gate primary school

Being able to really make a difference to the lives of children in a rural community can be a life changing experience and unforgettable memory from your safari in Kenya. Elsa’s Kopje and the Land and Life Foundation have been working closely with Ura Gate Primary School since May 2011 to identify and address the school’s most urgent needs. Ura Gate Primary caters for 350 students aged 6-14, very few of whom had any access to text books when we initiated our support programme. However, thanks to the generosity of a great number of Elsa’s visitors, we were able to donate text books and repair and reconstruct some classrooms.

Donations

If you are considering bringing donations from abroad, visit the Pack for a Purpose website for very specific advice. Please do note that when flying within Kenya, the internal flight weight restriction is 15kg and may therefore limit what you can carry with you to the camps and donate to the rural communities in person. We can always, however, donate anything over and above your weight limit on your behalf at a later date.