Mobile Camping Safari | Kenya

Ker & Downey

The original outfitters

Bush luxury at its best

In the ‘old’ days, to go on a Ker & Downey safari was to go out with the best, and to be with a Ker & Downey guide was to be in the care and company of the latest of a long heritage of great African naturalists. Nothing has really changed. Where other operators try to capture the magic of the traditional safari, Ker & Downey is the traditional safari, as perfectly outfitted today as it was sixty years ago.

It was among the legendary greats – like Finch Hatton, von Blixen, Hunter, Black and Anderson – that Donald Ker and Syd Downey had their grounding. They picked up codes of chivalry, courtesy, and professionalism and learned how to create luxury in the bush. They learned too, that while wildlife, great scenery and fine climate were all factors which drew clients to a safari, one vital element was needed to complete the magic – the professional guide who conducted it. No matter the destination they will take you to the best wildlife and cultural experiences on offer, and believe that having a personal, professional guide throughout the entire journey makes all the difference. On safari and pending your group size, there would be a guide for every 4 or 5 guests. The quality of personal attention is unsurpassed, the safari can be both organised and spontaneous.

A typical safari involves visiting the Maasai Mara staying in their mobile camp for four nights followed by a visit to a private game ranch on the Laikipia Plateau for a few nights. Whilst exploring the Laikipia ‘your safari camp’ is on the move getting ready for your next stay in either the Amboseli or one of Kenya’s parks in the far north such as Meru or Shaba for another three nights. Travel between all these destinations is by charter plane. This itinerary can also be taken in reverse.

Their mobile camps are always set up in private sites exclusively for you and while in camp you are looked after in the classic style of a traditional mobile safari – with everything planned and delivered just for you. Their camp crew have been trained over decades to provide the ultimate in personalised service for each exclusive group. The comfortable walk-in tents are equipped with solar lighting and flush toilets, while retaining the authentic touch so you truly feel you are sleeping under canvas each night in the African bush. This is the real Out of Africa experience, and so genuine is the feeling of being part of the glorious tradition of Safari.

A typical safari involves visiting the Maasai Mara staying in their mobile camp for four nights followed by a visit to a private game ranch on the Laikipia Plateau for a few nights. Whilst exploring the Laikipia ‘your safari camp’ is on the move getting ready for your next stay in either the Amboseli or one of Kenya’s parks in the far north such as Meru or Shaba for another three nights. Travel between all these destinations is by charter plane. This itinerary can also be taken in reverse. one vital element was needed to complete the magic – the professional guide who conducted it. No matter the destination they will take you to the best wildlife and cultural experiences on offer, and believe that having a personal, professional guide throughout the entire journey makes all the difference. On safari and pending your group size, there would be a guide for every 4 or 5 guests. The quality of personal attention is unsurpassed, the safari can be both organised and spontaneous.

12 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

DAYS 1-3 | AMBOSELI - CAMP 1 | 3 NIGHTS

After a good night’s sleep in a recommended Nairobi hotel, it is time to head on safari. Your guide will meet you and take you to the airport for the air charter to a private wildlife conservancy on the edge of Amboseli National Park. You will spend 3-nights here under canvas where great views of snow-capped Mt Kilimanjaro, intimate interactions with the local Maasai tribespeople and unrivalled elephant viewing characterise this superb area. No more than ten miles from camp, the immense presence of Mt Kilimanjaro adds a special dimension to everything that you will enjoy in the Amboseli. The concession in which the camp sits is in Maasai land, and you will come into regular contact with its traditional and proud people, where time amongst them and gaining insights into their way of life is a true highlight of the safari.

Your days will be spent exploring the region and discover large herds of plains game including Thompson’s gazelle, zebra and wildebeest, plus elephant, buffalo, giraffe and plenty of predators. Back in the community you might wish to participate in the ‘Masai Olympics’, whether it means challenging the Maasai to a foot race, a frisbee throw or a game of touch rugby, or just sit back and enjoy the spectacle. You will come away from this place astounded beyond words.

DAYS 4-6 | LAIKIPIA - RANCH | 3 NIGHTS

Farewell the camp crew and fly with your guide north around Mount Kenya to the vast Laikipia plateau, Kenya’s Northern Frontier district with a rich Samburu cultural heritage. You will stay in a property picked to match with the bush luxury essence of your camping safari. Your home for the next three nights might be a multi-generational family owned ranch or game sanctuary, an exquisite permanent luxury tented camp in the breathtaking Mathews Ranges, or one of Kenya’s finest family-owned lodges in the renowned private Lewa Conservancy. Hosted by the owners, you will be made to feel right at home and will gain incredible insight into the vitally important interrelationships in the region between culture and community, farming, and conservation.

Each day you will head out with your guide to find the endemic wildlife including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beissa oryx along with plentiful species such as elephant, wild dog and other predators. Aside from game viewing this is an adventurer’s paradise, as the activity options are vast – walking safaris, horse riding, camel trekking, mountain biking, authentic interaction with the Samburu tribe, help train tracker dogs to catch poachers, hike up Mount Kenya or take a scenic helicopter excursion to the far northern reaches of Kenya.

DAYS 7-10 | MAASAI MARA - CAMP 2 | 4 NIGHTS

Next, you’ll fly to Kenya’s most famous game reserve – the Masai Mara. The Mara’s rolling grassland with riverine forests are the northern extension of Tanzania’s famous Serengeti National Park. It has more permanent water, a higher rainfall, and more wildlife residents than anywhere in East Africa. It is home to the colourful Maasai peoples who live and graze their cattle on the fringes of the reserve. The vast herds of wildebeest that move back and forth from Tanzania supplement the resident herds that opt not to make the trek south. This is a wildlife spectacle unmatched in all of Africa and is a must for any visit to Kenya.

The Mara is especially noted for its predators with large prides of lions, their smaller cousins Serval and Genets cats and hyena all found here along with the elusive leopard and cheetah. You will also see plenty of Maasai giraffe, buffalo, zebra, topi, hartebeest and large herds of gazelle year-round. Hippos and crocodiles are found lying in secluded pools along the Mara River and its tributaries. The Mara is worth a visit any time of year and is one of the last places in Africa where you can still see the huge herds of game on every corner. Each day you can spend as much time as you like in the field, moving from adventure to adventure.

DAY 11 | END OF SAFARI

A final morning of game viewing and delicious camp cuisine will be enjoyed before you fly back to Nairobi in the afternoon. Your guide will transfer you either to your hotel accommodation or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for onward connections.

Please Note:

This is an indicative safari itinerary only and will be tailored around your interests, preferred number of nights and is also dictated by availability. Please contact us for further details of what to expect and for your very own tailormade adventure.

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Cozzi

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

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Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

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Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

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If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

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The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

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It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

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Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

Judith & Roger Williams

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