Ker & Downey® Africa staff
Ker & Downey Africa
- Located In:
-
United Kingdom
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- APTA, SATSA, CTT & Safe Travels
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $500 to $950 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
US
Email Maria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing trip!
Our African safari trip was totally incredible. We absolutely loved our safari guides, accommodations, food, camp settings, and all of the people we interacted with in Tanzania and Kenya.
The vacation was super memorable and one of the best trips we’ve ever taken.
One drawback of the process was the booking and payment that occurred before we departed for the trip. Over the course of one year while the trip was being planned, confirmed and paid for, there was some staff turnover in the Ker & Downey office that resulted in some difficulties with finalizing trip details.
On my end I had a change in personal circumstances that required some trip rearrangements. At that time, the original employee who handled the trip left the company and so my trip was handled by employees I hadn’t met previously. This transition was not seamless and there were times when I was frustrated and getting conflicting information from different employees.
However, those issues were sorted out before departure and the trip itself was very smooth. Everyone was very responsive during the trip, even when their local time was in the middle of the night.
Our designed itinerary was perfect and we are very thankful for the unique and luxurious experience we had.
PH
Email Mira | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Recommended by a good friend, KDA gifted us with memories to last a lifetime.
It was our first trip to Africa. We were looking for a luxury safari experience. We were referred to KDA by a friend who had gone with her extended family. Before going, our KDA contact was very professional: provided so much information on what to bring, how the tipping was. She also made sure to closely coordinate with us on the budget and preferences, so that the package would be right for us, for instance, if we weren't experienced campers, then she excluded camping in the bush. She made sure to schedule calls with us, and was available through WhatsApp and video calls. KDA even handled our Tanzania visas for us. Even before we left, we felt we were in good hands.
I discovered that when I travel, I have subconscious expectations of stress. The pick-up might be late, the weather might be bad, the traffic, noise, smells --- all things that go with traveling to a place one has never been to before.
Arriving in Tanzania had none of that. It was July which is their winter. The weather was crisp and cool, and the air smelled so fresh. Frank, our KDA guide, met us as we exited the airport doors. He settled us in the Land Cruiser and handed us personalized reusable water bottles, assuring us that it was filtered. He gave us locally-made blankets as gifts. I think those first few minutes were the perfect balm to nerves frazzled from almost 24 hours of traveling.
KDA booked us in Arusha Coffee Lodge (overnight), Nimali Tarangire to be near Tarangire National Park, Acacia Farm Lodge to be near Ngorongoro Crater, and at Siringit Serengeti and Nimali Mara for two separate parts of the Serengeti. It was perfectly planned. From our first wildebeest sighting enroute to Tarangire (We hadn't even arrived at the park; Frank just drove us to a watering hole off the highway.), to first seeing all the animals at the parks, to seeing lions really close at Siringit, and ending at Nimali Mara with their majestic view. We were lucky to cap it off with a wildebeest river crossing; not all the travelers we came across did. KDA planned the perfect crescendo of a trip.
US
Email James and Tammy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our tour operator shown excellent customer service and extremely knowlegable of south africa
Thanks for a beautiful itinerary, excellent accommodations, and memorable food and wine experiences. Thanks also to the guides for providing an experience that exceeded expectations.
US
Email Lauren | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Exceptional
Our travel planner, Natasha, listened to our needs made suggestions and was impressively available whenever we asked for her time. Each of the lodges were unique and the trip went very smoothly. So many memorable highlights. The museum in Rwanda, the gorilla trekking, the sunrise and singing wake-up in Virunga lodge, the hot air balloon ride. All the lodges were amazing and the service and food exceeded our expectations. I wish we had spent 2 days in Ngorongoro Crater but we had time restrictions. We so appreciated Natasha's keeping in touch throughout our trip.
HK
Email Anne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional service & an unforgettable experience!
Our trip to Tanzania was perfectly curated by Wendy and her team at Ker & Downey, with top notch service and exceptional care on this unforgettable journey. Not only were the accommodations magical and bespoke, but our tour guides at every location gave us amazing glimpses into the terrain and animal activities during the safari. We can’t say enough good things about the animals we saw at arms length, but more than that, when one of our party had a serious health issue that required medical attention throughout the entire 8 day journey, Wendy was there to amend our schedules, ensure that medical attention was given and helped arranged a Medevac air flight for our friend. She went through tremendous inconvenience ( this was during the Chinese New Year holiday when she should have spent it with family undisturbed) to give us attention even at odd hours of the night. For this, we are extremely grateful and in awe of how she went above and beyond to keep us safe. We really have to say that a tour operator that keeps you safe in Africa and is accessible and available when unforeseen things happen, is truly the kind of company you want to write a glowing review for. And if we could give Wendy 10 stars instead of 5, we would! Thank you Wendy and team!
Email Marthie Janse van Rensburg | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Thoughtful & well organised
Our tour for 8 individuals were organised by Caroline & Brondwyn, whom truly went above & beyond to accommodate our large group. All arrangements were done and changed to accommodate our every whim. Always curtious, friendly and helpful.
We had an absolutely wonderful experience. Forever grateful.
Thank you.
