Stars glimmer overhead, the opening credits roll and John Barry’s theme tune from the film Born Free fills the warm evening air. An outdoor movie screening like no other.Sipping chilled wine and nibbling handmade snacks, we’re watching the Oscar-winning classic on the lawn at Elsa’s Kopje, the only luxury safari lodge in Kenya’s Meru National Park.Surrounding us is the wilderness where Elsa the Lioness, star of Born Free, used to roam.I’m thrilled to be here on the 60th anniversary year of the film’s release. Based on Joy Adamson’s bestselling 1960 book, it immortalised the orphaned cub that naturalists Joy and George Adamson hand-reared and released, introducing a generation to the majesty and intelligence of lions.Watching the images flicker deep in the Kenyan bush is poignant, with Elsa’s distant cousins roaming somewhere out there in the bush. With the scene set, we’re eager to see Meru’s present-day lions face to face. At dawn, we set out with Kikuyu guide Moses Muriithi, buzzing with anticipation. But nature has other plans. Our morning is all about rhinos.We bump along in our 4×4, soon spotting a splendid quartet. They’re placid creatures, approaching so close we see every wrinkle in their hide. Emma Gregg heads to Elsa’s Kopje, the only luxury safari lodge in Kenya’s Meru National Park, on the 60th anniversary of the Oscar-winning film, Born Free Based on Joy Adamson’s bestselling 1960 book, Born Free immortalised the orphaned cub that naturalists Joy and George Adamson hand-reared and released As well as lions, Emma encounters zebras, baboons, topi antelopes and a cheetah during her stay in the Kenyan wildernessLater we meet some of the Meru-based team of Born Free, the conservation foundation created in Elsa’s honour.As well as monitoring Meru’s lions, which currently number 79, they work with the Kenya Wildlife Service to safeguard elephants and giraffes. It’s thanks to their efforts that local poaching is a thing of the past.Hoping for a sighting elsewhere, we head south-west to Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp in Mara North Conservancy – prime big cat country.Soon after our arrival, we enjoy our first encounter. A gang of juvenile lions are lounging in the greenery, looking like teenagers after a big night out.We see hundreds of animals including zebras, baboons, topi antelopes and a cheetah.And, as a grand finale, we are enchanted by coming across a group of playful River Pride lion cubs. It’s exactly how things should be on safari: wild and free. Just like Elsa. TRAVEL FACTS Heathrow-Nairobi return fights from £583 (ba.com); flights to Meru/Mara North can be booked via AirKenya (airkenya.com). Elsa’s Kopje from £285pp all-inclusive on a gamedrive package including two daily game drives, bush sundowners, a walkingsafari and laundry. Elephant Pepper Camp is from £570pp all-inclusive (elewanacollection.com).