About Us

Beyond Safaris. Beyond Expectations.

ROOTED IN AFRICA

Guided by whispers of Africa. A travel concierge for the most discerning.

At Ker & Downey® Africa, we don’t just design luxury safaris – we create journeys that awaken something within. A feeling. One that moves you, connects you, and lingers long after you’ve returned home.

Our expeditions are shaped by the whispers of the land and the wisdom of its people. Every itinerary is crafted with reverence and precision, offering rare access to Africa’s wildest corners, its most intimate retreats, and its untold stories.

Rooted in purpose and guided by those who call Africa home, we invite you to travel deeper, tread lighter, and discover the continent in a way that feels personal and profound.

REDEFINING THE JOURNEY

What Makes Us Different

We believe luxury is not only found in where you stay – it’s how you feel while you’re there. Here’s how we do things differently:

1. Seek Adventure

Africa calls to those who seek more, and so do we. Our journeys are designed to ignite your curiosity, challenge the expected, and reconnect you with the raw beauty of the wild.

2. Off-Track Adventures

We venture where few go. Whether it’s floating above Sossusvlei in a hot air balloon or encountering gorillas in the remote forests of Rwanda, we create access to moments that are extraordinary – and often, impossible to repeat.

3. Hidden Retreats

We handpick intimate camps, secluded lodges, and private villas that bring you closer to nature’s rhythm, without ever compromising on comfort or elegance. This is privacy redefined – a sanctuary in the heart of the wild.

4. Your Travel Concierge

It all begins with a conversation. From your first call to your final day in Africa, your personal travel concierge designs every detail around you – your dreams, your pace, your people. And we’re with you on the ground, every step of the way.

5. The Art of Discovery

This is travel with soul. With Ker & Downey® Africa, you’re not just observing, you’re immersed. Listening to stories around the fire. Sharing traditions. Witnessing landscapes that feel almost mythical. It’s an invitation to connect deeply, and leave changed.

PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE

The Team Behind the Magic

Behind every Ker & Downey® Africa journey is a team who live and breathe this continent. We are storytellers, explorers, and guardians of Africa’s wild spaces, bound by a shared passion to create experiences that feel both seamless and deeply personal.

Our strength lies in connection: to the land, to the people, and to every hidden corner we reveal. From the first conversation to the final farewell, every detail is orchestrated with care, precision, and heart. It’s not just what we do – it’s who we are.

Sustainable Tourism

Responsible travel to Africa

Traveling with a purpose comes down to the consideration of the people, wildlife and environment of the places that we visit. Africa has a whole host of sustainable tourism initiatives and we are seeing more and more luxury safari lodges and hotel groups making great strides in their efforts to provide, preserve and protect.

Wildlife Conservation

It’s one thing to visit a country, it’s another to take part in the mission to rehabilitate and rebuild its wildlife. We believe that preserving the continent’s delicate ecosystems and wildlife is a joint effort which should be practised by both locals and international travelers. Our conservation safaris promote lodges who actively partake in wildlife conservation and offer guests the unique opportunity to participate in projects alongside industry experts.

Community Impact

Our carefully selected suppliers in Africa support responsible travel and actively work to empower the local communities in the area that they operate in. Our team can recommend a number of vetted initiatives and organizations to add to your itinerary that will allow you to connect with the people and culture of the destination that you visit. We can also recommend a number of luxury safari lodges that are owned and run by the local people for your trip.

Environmental Awareness

Preserving Africa’s natural resources is imperative to Ker & Downey® Africa. We choose eco-sensitive properties that have a limited impact on their direct environment and encourage guests to be aware of their consumption of natural resources during their trip. In an effort to decrease our clients’ carbon footprints, each trip booked with us includes a donation to Greenpop, a forest restoration and urban greening NPO, that funds the planting of one tree in Sub-Saharan Africa.

OKOA Fund

The OKOA Fund was created by a close-knit team of environmentalists and campaigners with a passion for conservation in Africa. With extensive experience in the tourism industry, they have witnessed the powerful effects of transformative travel on rural communities and the environment first-hand. This was particularly prevalent during the global pandemic as the world became increasingly aware of its impact and unified in the desire for transformation.

Greenpop

Greenpop is a non-profit forest restoration and urban greening organisation that works to restore ecosystems and empower environmental stewards across Sub-Saharan Africa. Each booking made with Ker & Downey® Africa will include a donation to our pledge partner Greenpop and fund the planting of one tree in either Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia or South Africa.

What our
Travelers say

       EXCELLENT  
   Based on 78 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Elizabeth Hopkins 
 8 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +9
My husband and I took what we had hoped would be the trip of a lifetime Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rawanda and on Safari in Tanzania.  Our trip was personally curated for us by Tamsyn Young, Senior Travel Planner, Private Clients at Ker & Downey Africa.  We were impressed and overwhelmed by the care and attention to detail that went into planning this adventure for us.  I can honestly say that this trip surpassed our wildest expectations.  However, we’re hoping it’s not the trip of a lifetime as we’re considering  another trip with Ker & Downey in a few years to other parts of the African continent and completely expect that we will be equally amazed.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Philis Campana 
 9 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to South Africa, and we cannot say enough wonderful things about our travel agency from the beginning stages to the details of the trip itself, everything was handled with professionalism care and attention to detail. Our trip was so truly special and we are so grateful for the expertise and personal attention that made it such an incredible experience. We highly recommend this agency to anyone planning a trip to Africa again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Phyllis and Bob Fern.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Larry Eisman 
 10 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tamsyn @ Ker & Downey Africa helped us plan an unforgettable trip to Cape Town & Sabi Sabi. 8 days and everything was perfect. Would not change a single aspect of this bucket list vacation.

Larry
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Hanna Heintz 
 13 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tamsyn from Ker and Downey put together an incredible 3 week anniversary trip for my husband and me in South Africa and Seychelles. She took care of every detail, and I felt safe and well cared for while abroad. The lodges she chose for our safaris were a perfect mix of experiences to see both tented camps and luxury lodges. She was able to arrange some special surprises to help us celebrate while on our vacation. I couldn't recommend her more, and we will definitely be using her to plan our next African vacation!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Roberta Zallen 
 13 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful time on our trip.  Tamsyn Young was our agent and was extremely helpful, answered our multiple questions and was very available with answers when needed.  Everything was arranged - people met us at airports, all flights were arranged which included many changes on small planes and all the information was communicated to us in a timely manner.  In addition, I sustained an injury and at the last minute needed  to get met by wheelchairs for our flights.  All was perfectly arranged.  We highly recommend  Ker and Downey!!!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Kyle Palmieri 
 16 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My father and I put our trust into Ker & Downey to put together a once in a lifetime trip to Egypt and they did not fail. Everything went flawless and K&D provided a true white-glove experience, that was above and beyond our expectations. I am so thankful we went with K&D, working with this team was fantastic and paid off. Thank you all.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Tracey de Kock 
 36 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The most incredible travel company I have ever dealt with! They tailor make your trip to exactly what suits you and do not miss a detail. No one else comes close to them when it comes to African safari curated holidays. Thank you we already looking at our next trip !
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Shani Dass 
 47 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked a safari in Kenya through Ker & Downey and had a wonderful experience. Sarah and the team were very professional and communication was exceptional and were always available. The hotels they recommended were great and matched what we requested. It was stress free from start to end.
We will definitely go with them again
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Lynn Beard 
 82 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We returned home from our safari in Tanzania about two weeks ago. It was arranged by the incomparable Tamsyn "Tam" Young of Ker & Downey and was hands down the best vacation we've ever experienced. From my first inquiry to today, Tam made the entire experience outstanding. She was with us when our flights to Tanzania (arranged by us) were all messed up by delays. While we were sitting in airports, she was busy rearranging our plans so we wouldn't miss a beat. The camps where Tam booked us were unforgettable and staffed by unforgettable people. Our game drivers were absolutely outstanding. We saw gobs of animals, including close ups with elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. We also saw two wildebeest crossings on the same day. We are convinced our trip would not have been the same if not for Tam and Ker & Downey. Top notch service!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Gillian Jones 
 92 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. So helpful and knowledgeable
  
 
 
  
 
   Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

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Awards

Award-winning luxury travel company Ker & Downey® Africa is trusted by discerning travelers worldwide for thoughtfully designed journeys shaped by exclusivity, authenticity, and exceptional access across Africa.

About Us

Beyond Safaris. Beyond Expectations.

ROOTED IN AFRICA

Guided by whispers of Africa. A travel concierge for the most discerning.

REDEFINING THE JOURNEY

What Makes Us Different

1. Seek Adventure

2. Off-Track Adventures

3. Hidden Retreats

4. Your Travel Concierge

5. The Art of Discovery

PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE

The Team Behind the Magic

Sustainable Tourism

Responsible travel to Africa

Wildlife Conservation

Community Impact

Environmental Awareness

OKOA Fund

Greenpop

What our
Travelers say

Awards

Travel concierge

Cape Town Head office

About Us

Beyond Safaris. Beyond Expectations.

ROOTED IN AFRICA

Guided by whispers of Africa. A travel concierge for the most discerning.

REDEFINING THE JOURNEY

What Makes Us Different

1. Seek Adventure

2. Off-Track Adventures

3. Hidden Retreats

4. Your Travel Concierge

5. The Art of Discovery

PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE

The Team Behind the Magic

Sustainable Tourism

Responsible travel to Africa

Wildlife Conservation

Community Impact

Environmental Awareness

OKOA Fund

Greenpop

What our Travelers say

Awards

What our
Travelers say