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 Bruce S | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Success is in the details!
For my wife's 50th Birthday, she wanted to do an African Safari. I've always booked our vacations in the past, but for this 20 hour flight from the United States to Cape Town I reached out to many Travel agents to support this trip for us and another couple. From initial contact to final decision, Ker and Downey (Sarah and KayLeigh) stood out as proud South African's who wanted to show off their Amazing Country. The Vacation and the sights were great, but what made it amazing was the detail and care in which Ker and Downey planned our Trip. Our first room was perfectly chosen to face the sunrise the next morning. And since we arrived so late, Sarah ensured there was a plate of snacks left in our room since all the local restaurants were closed. The next morning our new driver and Tour Expert (Wayne from Island Tours) arrived on-time and ushered us down Route 62 to Sanbona Private Reserve. The ride was amazing and Wayne spoke excellent English so there were no communication problems. Sanbona was off the charts. Based on my description of what we wanted, Sarah recommended the Tilney Manor Lodge. (Combination of Luxury and convenience and an awesome view of the Sunset - PERFECT).
I not going to describe our entire 11 day trip in detail, but what I must convey is that every step of this vacation was meticulously planned. All the transports showed up on time with specific plans for the day and when those plans did not match the weather for that day, they were willing to change them based on our needs. South Africa was amazing, but I must also sincerely thank Sarah, Kayleigh and Pippa for guiding us through our DREAM VACATION (HOLIDAY)!!
Thank you for everything
US
Email Bonnie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The trip of our lives!
I chose Ker & Downey to help us plan our African safari after hours of online research comparing the different safari outfits and reviewing their tours. I absolutely chose the right company and Kayleigh, our "Adventurist" who helped us, was amazing in her attention to detail to ensure we had the trip of our lives. Nothing was overlooked, from the airport transfers to the suggestions of what we should be sure to do at each location and lodge. She presented us with three options in different price ranges and then changed things as requested. My husband told her this was our honeymoon - after 29 years of marriage - and she passed this on to each lodge where we stayed. One lodge had a bubble bath set up for us with candles lit when we returned from an evening game drive, and another one had a lovely candlelight dinner away from camp and under the stars of the Milky Way. These experiences were wonderful and meaningful beyond belief and added immeasurably to our enjoyment of this trip. I cannot recommend Ker & Downey and especially Kayleigh enough, they will help you plan the safari of your dreams. One thing we did was have a balance between actual safari and site-seeing. We were in Cape Town for four days where we saw Table Mountain, the winelands, and the cape area; then Lion Sands Narina Lodge where we saw Sabi Sands Game Preserve and part of Kruger National Park; then the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe; and finally, two areas in Botswana, the Savute and the Okavango Delta. This was utterly perfect for us, a stellar blend of game drives to see the wildlife and the tours to see incredible natural wonders. Kayleigh at Ker & Downey did a masterful job coordinating all of the transfers between countries - we were so glad to have people meet us and usher us through Customs and Immigration. Trust me, Ker & Downey will help you plan a memorable trip and will see that every last detail is covered so that you can remain worry-free. We are in love with Africa now and I know we will return. We will not hesitate to use Ker & Downey and Kayleigh again in our future travels.
Reply from Ker & Downey Africa
Posted on Jun 25, 2019Hi Bonnie
Thank you so much for the lovely review! We are thrilled you had an amazing time! I know Kayleigh was just as excited as you planning this trip. We hope to see you back in the near future!
US
Email Brian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 star service, top notch accommodations, and stress free end to end!
We can't thank Ker & Downey enough. From start to finish, it was such an easy process to work with them. Starting with our initial conversations, to booking, and staying in contact with us throughout the trip, everything was 5 star. Most importantly, the places booked for us were absolutely incredible. Every place we stayed at exceeded our expectations! We have already told our friends and family that if they are considering South Africa, go through Ker & Downey and ask for Emma and Alex!
Reply from Ker & Downey Africa
Posted on Jun 25, 2019Hi Brian
Thank you for the lovely review! We are glad you had an amazing time!
Thank you for referring your friends and family! They are in good hands.
Email Matt | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Went out of their way to make sure we had the trip of a lifetime
Ker & Downey Africa organised our honeymoon in South Africa. They were recommended by a family member and we have no regrets in getting them to organise our trip. Emma designed our honeymoon after understanding what we were after. Our communication was all over email which worked well and she replied quickly throughout. Nothing was too much trouble, however big or small.
Emma suggested Narina Lodge in Lions Sands game reserve (Kruger). What a great place. The staff were amazing and we had the time of our lives. The guide made sure we saw everything we wanted to (despite us knowing there are no guarantees).
During our trip we kept Emma and her colleague Alex up to date via whatsapp and they seemed to show a real interest in how we were getting on and making sure we were happy.
In short, I would recommend Ker & Downey to anybody wanting to go on safari or in fact any trip.
Reply from Ker & Downey Africa
Posted on Jun 25, 2019Hi Matt
We are glad you had an amazing honeymoon! Thank you for the lovely review.
US
Email Richard fisher | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Did all the right things
They were spot on and left out no detail. Sarah and her team were great and responsive on the whole trip. Highly recommend
US
Email Grant & Bekah | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most amazing trip of my entire life.
Words can't really describe how wonderful our trip to Africa was with Ker and Downey. Not only did we have the most memorable experience with excellent game viewings and excursions, but our lodgings were second to none, and all needs were taken care of so thoroughly. I've traveled extensively around the world and without a doubt this was the best trip I've taken and also the smoothest. I credit a lot of it to Emma Perrin, our travel agent with Ker and Downey. She kept us so informed before, during, and after the trip and made sure things went seamlessly and organized. I can't thank her enough for opening our eyes to the natural beauty and wonderful people of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. There's no doubt that I will use Ker and Downey again for future African adventures and would request them to everyone I know thinking about venturing to Africa- and I already have. Thank you SO much! -Grant and Bekah; Memphis, TN, USA
US
Email Wendy Tepfer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The most extraordinary journey of my life
Ker and Downey Africa planned and executed the most adventuresome, inclusive, and thoughtful trip I have ever been on. Rene Gliddon laid the groundwork, choosing hotels and lodges that were reflective of my aspirations and budget for this vacation. Emma Perrin and Zeena Ponto followed through on every detail meticulously with the warmth and expertise of consummate professionals. Knowing I was anxious about travelling alone, Emma even met me at the airport in Capetown (even though a transfer was arranged) and stayed in my hotel the first night! She also arranged a city tour for me with Lauren Barnard, Co-Owner if Island View Tours, who showed me around knowledgeably and enthusiastically. Every transfer was on time. Every hotel and lodge offered me a first class experience. Emma and Zeena checked in with me every day, to see how things were going and to hear about my escapades! It was a wise decision to choose Ker and Downey Africa, a small company, who intimately knows the lands of South Africa. I would use them again in a heart-beat, if I should find myself back in that part of the world. Thank you all for life changing moments in time.
Email Roger Bradshaw | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service from a very passionate team of people who are Africa tour experts
Excellent high quality private safari. This was the highlight of our South Africa tour. Arathusa Safari Lodge withinThe Kruger National Park was a fantastic Safari experience. Superb game drives. Saw all the Big 5 plus lots more. Rangers and guides provided an immersive experience we will never forget
CA
Email Jenny | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ker & Downey was professional, thorough and knowledgeable tour operator.
Our trip to Ethiopia and Tanzania couldn't have been better executed. We were delighted with our tour guides because they were knowledgeable, thoughtful and fun. Had we not had guides, I believe the trip would not have run as smoothly and we would have wasted a lot of time trying to figure things out like transportation, hotels etc. We gave K & D our budget and the sights we wanted to see and they did a fabulous job making it all happen.
Our guides figured us out pretty quickly too. In Ethiopia, Tariku realized that my husband already knew a lot about Ethiopia's culture having worked there so he took us to places that he probably would not take everyone. That was cool. In Tanzania, Solomon gave us a super time and was free to go on a safari whenever we wanted but was also happy to leave us alone reading by a fire or lounging on a sofa under a tent watching giraffes stroll.
It was just my husband and me on the tour and both our guides gave us such a memorable time. We hope to be back again soon and would choose Ker & Downey again to organize our trips.
CY
Email Kyriakos & Yoanna | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ker&Downey put together a dream trip which exceeded our expectations!
From the very early stages of our communication we realized that Ker & Downey is a serious and professional travel agent which receives your desires and transform them into a reality. Frequent contact, continuous feedback and multiple re-arrangements in order to deliver the best possible itinerary was the reason we trusted them for our honeymoon organization.
Not only they had provided an excellent and comfortable trip, they have been staying in touch with us in order to make sure that everything goes as planned.
Kruger Park game reserve at Sabi Sabi Little Bush Lodge was by far the best experience of our lives!
All flights and transports to our destinations were precise and accommodations at Cape Town and Kruger Park were just amazing!
Rene and Zeena were extremely polite and helpful throughout our tour and we would like to thank them for the general management!
We highly recommend this agency no matter what your trip purpose is. We will definitely come back for out next adventure!
