Ker & Downey® Africa staff
Ker & Downey Africa
- Located In:
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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
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Email Michael | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Smooth seamless transaction with knowledgeable advice
The communication with K&D was informative and accurate. We stayed at the Kampala River Lodge and the travel to and from Hoedspruit (organized by K&D flying from Cape Town and then back to Joburg) was very easy. Kampala was fantastic - I highly recommend it.
IE
Email Nuala Riordan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Super to deal with, always no problem to change things.
The guesthouse in Windhoek Villa Vista was great, we stayed there coming and going.
Private light aircraft flight up to Etosha, great. We were not impressed with Etosha, the accommodation and the food. We had upgraded quite expensively to have a waterhole lodges, but despite this expense, not all waterhole lodges were adjacent to the waterhole, even those that were adjacent there was no vantage point to see the animals if the throng of others in the camp were there with their cameras - very disappointing. We had been placed on the back row and after vocalising our disappointment, we were transferred on the second day to a cabin closer to the actual waterhole. Me-Gusto our super guide did everything he could to sort it for us. The lodges/cabins were very small and if you are a vegetarian, as we were (and they knew in advance of our dietary requirements), having a diet of soggy Butternut squash, shrivelled carrots and Greek salad for lunch and dinner were no fun for 3 days.. As it was a national reserve there was no off-roading and we had to stick to the roads. I would not ever re-visit this reserve, nor would I recommend it.
The next resort we went to was Mt Etjo, the food was divine as was the setting, the game drive was great, but as we belatedly learnt about the confinement of the lions, it didn't reach our ultimate. Our heartfelt disappointment that caused us to curtail our four night stay here to 2 nights was the fact that the lions were confined in a separate reserve adjacent and were not free to hunt for themselves and were fed by the reserve. This curtailment meant we squeezed our visit to Waterberg into our guide's trip up the mountain climb, but we didn't know it was only a mountain climb and not a visit to see the animals on top of the plateau, we were disappointed over this as we didn't come to Namibia to climb mountains, we would have been happy to have been advised this and we would have opted for an afternoon at the camp enjoying the sun and a game drive.
As a result we moved to Erindi nearby. This was a larger camp and had fantastic rooms/cabins overlooking the bush and a super pool. The food was good and the game drives were great - enhanced by the sun uppers and sun downers.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.