If you think a
safari is limited to climbing in and out of a Land Rover, times have changed,
at least with Ker & Downey Africa which offers safaris including rides by
horseback, helicopter, hot air balloon, camel, plus hiking, biking, mountain
biking, quad biking, and walking as well as via boat and even dug out canoe,
referred to as mokoros. There are game drives, night safaris, birding, fishing,
wine tasting, migration safaris. You can swim under Victoria Falls.
Sub-Sahara Africa
is hot. Both Virtuoso and Travel Leaders, two networks of luxury travel agents,
have it on their go lists for 2018. They’re not alone: Travel + Leisure
(Zambia), The New York Times (Rwanda, Zambia), The Telegraph (Rwanda, Botswana,
Zimbabwe), Architectural Digest (Rwanda), American Express (South Africa,
Rwanda), Lonely Planet (South Africa, Mozambique), Cone Nast Traveler USA (Botswana),
Conde Traveller UK (Mozambique), The Guardian (South Africa, Uganda), National
Geographic (Tanzania), The Independent (Zimbabwe), CNN (South Africa, Tanzania,
Namibia, Rwanda, Botswana, Kenya), Forbes (Congo, Namibia), Fodor’s (South
Africa, Tanzania), The Los Angeles Times (Zambia) and Bloomberg (Namibia,
Tanzania) all have various safari hot spots on their must visit lists.
There are many
very good companies that offer safari travel to Africa, however, Ker &
Downey Africa is based in South Africa, which gives it both a local
perspective, and means they have strong local relationships. It also means
having on the ground 24/7 emergency support in the same time zone and
understanding the complexity of booking a holiday to Africa and focus. Ker
& Downey Africa is also wholly focused on Africa. (By the way, and not to
confuse things – there is another travel company based in Houston with the same
name although it is a generalist company.)
So how addictive
can Africa be? Ker & Downey Africa’s CEO Lee Kelsall was a corporate laywer at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCLoy LLP in London
working the energy and natural resources sector before his vacation travel to
Africa led him to making the career switch.
Ker & Downey Africa
can customize trips based on the size of your party and the time you want to
spend, however, below are two sample itineraries the company has arranged for
VIP clients.
2. FROM GORILLAS TO BIG GAME and DIVING, THREE SAFARIS IN ONE TRIP
GO - JUNE TO OCTOBER
You’ll fly in a
private jet from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to the lush terrains of the
Okavango Delta and Selinda Reserve of Botswana and end off in the sparkling
waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique. You’ll hike through dense
African forests in search of gorillas and golden monkeys, sleep under the stars
in Botswana and scuba dive off remote islands in Mozambique. From meeting the
famous Abu elephant herd to tiger fishing in the Delta to sunset dhow safaris
to meeting local communities in Rwanda, this Ker & Downey Africa LuxVenture
will expose you to the the continent’s amazing diversity.
Day 1
Volcanoes National
Park
Fly into Kigali +
Transfer to Bisate Lodge
Arrive at Kigali
Airport and transfer to Bisate Lodge (above) for two nights in the Forest Villa. Bisate
won Jetsetter’s award as 2018 Best Safari Lodge Worldwide. Floor-to-ceiling
glass windows in the rounded villas offer stunning views of the the brooding
Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Mikeno Volcanoes while Bisate itself is set within an
extinct volcano. Private decks and colorful decor are hallmarks of this
eco-friendly lodge best known for its easy access to the neighboring Volcanoes National Park, home of the celebrated mountain gorillas.
Go on a once-in-a-lifetime hike in search of the endangered mountain gorillas
or on a golden monkey trek. If you want to connect with the culture of Bisate:
take a guided community walk, go tree planting or visit the Dian Fossey
Research Centre, named for the American primatologist and conservationist who advocated
against mass tourism and poaching.
Day 2
Volcanoes National
Park
After breakfast choose
into one of the unique experiences at Bisate Lodge, such as the golden monkey
trek. It begins at Volcanoes National Park headquarters and takes you in search
of this beautifully-colored and fascinating primate that lives in groups of up to
30 in the bamboo forest. Or take a village tour guided by a former poacher.
Day 3
Volcanoes National
Park
After breakfast
you’ll be transferred to Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for the main
attraction: gorilla trekking. Guests are allocated to one of the twelve
habituated gorilla groups to visit for an hour.
The time of the trek varies
depending which gorilla group is being visited – from 45 minutes to a few
hours. The trekking is at a high altitude, but is well worth it. In fact, many
people call it the experience one of the most profound of their lives. That
afternoon you are transferred to Kigali Serena Hotel, the 2017 World Travel
Awards winner as Rwanda’s best hotel .
Day 4
Private jet from
Kigali to Maun
Charter flight to
Selinda Camp
In the morning,
after breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to Kigali Airport. Your private
jet will fly you to Maun in Botswana, where you will then board a charter
flight to Selinda Camp (It gets a perfect 5-star rating from Trip Advisor over
200 + reviews).
A tented lodge built among the trees, Selinda Camp has splendid
views over the palm-studded floodplains. Each Meru-style tent is set under
thatch with a veranda, an open-air shower, a stone bath, and appointed with
furniture and décor from throughout Africa.
Day 5
Selinda Reserve
After breakfast
all attention is directed towards finding the reserve’s most exciting wildlife.
Experienced professional guides lead the way in 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers or on
foot. The walking safari gives you a chance to experience Africa from the
ground and enjoy close encounters with wildlife such as wild dog, lion and
elephant.
Days 6-8
Charter flight to
Okavango Delta
A charter flight
will take you from Selinda Airstrip to Abu Camp, where you’ll spend two nights.
With a special focus on elephant conservation, Abu Camp provides visitors an
intimate experience with these incredible animals. Conde Nast Traveler say it
is a “don’t miss” stop in Botswana. You’ll stay in one of the six opulent tents
featuring an indoor and outdoor shower, an outdoor copper bath and a plunge
pool sunk into the elevated teak decks. Highlights include mokoro safaris, walking
safaris with the elephant herd, and the opportunity to spend one night under
the stars in the star bed where you can the roar of lions and the rumblings of
the nearby elephant herd.
Days 8-11
Fly by charter
flight from Abu Camp to Jao Camp (a Reader’s Choice winner by Conde Nast), for
three nights in the watery heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp is set in an
area where forested islands meet vast floodplains and the nine spacious tents,
with indoor and outdoor showers, are shaded by a canopy of trees. This
luxurious camp is frequently visited by wildlife, including a family of
mongoose that has made Jao its home. As well as top-class game drives, walking
safaris, mokoro trips, and boat safaris, guests can also picnic on the pristine
Hunda Island.
Day 11
Private jet from Botswana to Vilanculos
Helicopter transfer to Azura Benguerra Island
A charter flight
to Maun Airport is followed by a two-hour flight in a private jet to Vilanculos
in Mozambique. A helicopter transfer will then take you to Azura Benguerra
Island for seven nights in your Infinity Beach Villa (above). This unspoilt island in a
marine national park is postcard perfect. It has miles of deserted white-sand
beaches and an immaculate turquoise sea dotted with local dhows passing by.
Azura Benguerra, the first eco-friendly resort in Mozambique, was hand-built by
the local community and is operated in partnership with it. Imagine private
villas on the beach, a personal butler-host and a non-stop array of fresh
seafood. It’s probably no surprise it was on Travel + Leisure’s 2017 World’s
Best list.
Days 12-17
Azura Benguerra
Island
Enjoy island
living – interspersing action and relaxing. Go on a dhow cruise, scuba dive in
remote diving spots, snorkel, kayak, speed through the ocean on a boat cruise
or explore the island by Land Cruiser. The marine life and corals are often
cited as the best off the East Coast of Africa. There are hundreds of species
of tropical fish, coral, rays, invertebrates, as well as the possibility of
seeing various species of turtle, whale sharks, or humpback whales during their
annual migration. Sightings of dolphin are common and if you are lucky, the
highly endangered gentle giants, the dugong, may make an appearance too.
3. WHITE WATER RAFTING, HELICOPTERS, FISHING and SWIMMING UNDER VICTORIA FALLS (10 days)
Go - June to October
This Ker &
Downey Africa Luxventure takes you into Botswana’s most secluded wildlife
regions - the Moremi Game Reserve and Selinda Reserve, and ends off with the Zambian side of
Victoria Falls. You’ll start your trip in Moremi Game Reserve where you will
track endangered wild dogs and be in the presence of Africa’s greatest
predators. You will challenge your fears by leaving the comfort of your private
game vehicle and embarking on a walking safari in the Selinda Reserve with
expert guides at your side. Your journey will end in Victoria Falls where you
will experience the majestic roar of the powerful Zambezi River from your lodge
set on an island only accessible by boat. Expect tiger fishing and white water
rafting on the Zambezi River, helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta and
Victoria Falls, and the general sense of adventure that is the trademark of
this wide ranging 10-day trip.
Day 1
Moremi Game
Reserve
Fly into Maun
After arriving in
Maun you’ll catch a charter flight to Sanctuary Chief’s Camp in the Moremi Game Reserve. Located on Chief’s Island, this iconic
lodge is consistently rated as one of the top safari camps in Botswana by Condé
Nast and Travel & Leisure. Your home for the next three nights has 12
secluded luxury bush pavilions that ensure privacy, each with a thatched roof,
a spacious seating area, indoor and outdoor showers, a private game-viewing
deck and a plunge pool from which you can enjoy sundowners while scoping out
the passing wildlife.
Day 2
Moremi Game
Reserve
Your first morning
in Botswana will start with an early wake-up call for your three-hour game
drive. Before departing with your expert and epxerienced guide you’ll be able
to tuck into a full English breakfast. Then your Delta adventure properly kicks
off. Moremi is celebrated for its big cats and wild dogs and that’s exactly
what you’ll be tracking down across the reserve. After a morning coffee on the
vast plains of the Okavango Delta, you’ll head back to the lodge for an
early lunch on the main deck under the trees. After lunch you have time to
relax before you set out on your mokoro safari. Skilled guides will lead you through the
tranquil waterways of the Okavango with the chance of encountering elephants,
hippos and crocodiles.
Day 3
Moremi Game
Reserve
Your second full
day at Chief’s Camp starts with a morning game drive (after breakfast of
course). On returning to camp you can decide to spend your day at leisure at
the swimming pool or get a taste of being back home with Chief’s Camp’s famous
wood-fired pizzas. After you will take a scenic helicopter flight over the delta to end off your last day in Moremi
Game Reserve. You access areas unreachable by vehicle or boat and the
unobstructed views allow for Instagram worthy photographic opportunities. In
the evening you can enjoy a private dinner on your terrace.
Day 4
Selinda Reserve
After breakfast
you transfer to Andrew Harper Grand Award recipient Zarafa Camp by charter flight. Prepare for three amazing
days at Botswana’s first Relais & Chateaux property, which is situated on
the far-eastern edge of the private 500 square mile Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana. Overlooking the
Zibadianja Lagoon, this intimate and environmentally-innovative camp has just
four tents and is capable of hosting a maximum of eight guests at a time. Each
of the spacious canvas-topped tents have a large bed, copper bathtub, and
veranda with private pool that offers sweeping vistas of the sprawling plain.
Days 5 and 6
Selinda Reserve
The next two days
in Selinda can be tailored to your liking. Morning and afternoon game drives
are available and, if you’d like to go beyond your conventional safari, you can
take to the Selinda plains on a walking safari with your professional tracker
and armed guide. Depending on the time of year, boat safaris are also available
on the lagoon. This will all take you that much closer to the diverse and
abundant wildlife Selinda is known for. Cheetah, wild dog, lion, and leopard
are the predators you’re likely to see in the area while elephant, lechwe,
buffalo, zebra, and giraffe are also common.
Day 7
Victoria Falls,
Zambia
Flight to Victoria
Falls and charter flight to Royal Chundu
Your time in
Botswana comes to an end but more adventure lies ahead. After breakfast you
will set off for your next bucket-list destination in Southern Africa -
Victoria Falls. A charter flight will take you from Zarafa Camp to Kasane
Airport, where a private transfer will escort you to Royal Chundu Zambezi
Island Lodge, an “essential” stop according to Robb Report. This next-level lodge
is located on a remote island in the Zambezi that can only be reached by boat
and has just four spacious villas on the entire island. It’s difficult to get
closer to the raw nature of the Zambezi, and very difficult to find a more
comfortable stay in Zambia. Each villa hosts a private deck overlooking river
rapids, a private swimming pool and the iconic riverfront bath.
Day 8
Victoria Falls
After breakfast
you can choose from a list of activities such as birding safaris, tiger fishing,
canoeing, a village tour, and a tour of Victoria Falls, the largest sheet of
falling water in the world. However you spend your day, be sure to end it with
the daily sundowner river cruise.
Day 9
Victoria Falls
If you are up for
more adventure on your last day in Africa you should consider adding white
water rafting on the Zambezi to your itinerary for the day. It’s recognized as
the best Grade 5 white water rafting in the world. After plummeting 360 feet
from the top of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River is transformed into a
turbulent 44 mile cauldron of exhilarating rapids. To end off your
unforgettable trip to Africa, take to the sky on a sunset helicopter flight
over Victoria Falls. Depending on the season of your travels you might also
consider swimming in Devil’s Pool for sunset high above the falls.
Day 10
Departure
End your Ker &
Downey Africa experience with an effortless check out of Royal Chundu
Zambezi Island Lodge. Your trip ends with a helicopter transfer from Royal
Chundu to Livingstone Airport for your onwards flight home.