Luxury for Less: Cape to Cairo

Ker & Downey is world re-knowned for its bespoke luxury travel adventures. Now, however, we are focusing on creating more affordable itineraries via our “Luxury for Less,” series. Built on the idea of Attainable elegance, the Ker & Downey “Luxury for Less” itineraries offer extraordinary leisure at a reasonable price.

Our Cape To Cairo itinerary begins with your arrival in Cape Town, South Africa where you board at Cape Cadogan: a luxury Victorian farmhouse declared a national monument in 1984. Patterned in soft creams and whites, the fashionable hotel is just a short distance away from Kloof Street, the Times Square of Cape Town. If the luxury hotel life isn’t appealing to you, Cape Cadogan offers 4 luxury apartments, each situated within walking distance of the hotel.

After Cape Town, you will have the option of traveling to the Lion Sand luxury lodges. The Lion Sand lodges are divided into two distinct, yet equally luxurious options: the family friendly River Lodge and the very exclusive Ivory Lodge. For the most discerning traveler Lion Sands also offers the owners private residence to small groups or families. Built in 1933, the home is a massive expression of Victorian grandeur on the South African plains. Each of the owners staff members, and every amenity in the home, is there for your private pleasure.

While at Lion Sands you will also have the journey to undertake a true South African safari. Led by the lodge’s team you will be led on a professional and holistic adventure that few others have the pleasure of enjoying. The Elderhostel, Adventures in Lifelong Learning program gives advice when planning a South-African safari.

After your sojourn in Cape Town, you will fly to Cairo to tour the land of the pharaohs. While there, you will stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence where you will enjoy unparalleled service and hospitality. The hotel’s premier location, overlooking the Great Pyramid of Giza and the ancient Zoological and Botanical Gardens, makes it the board of choice for weary travel adventurers.

While in Cairo you will have the opportunity to visit the Khan El Khalili Baazar. Frequently known as the Turkish Baazar, this open-air shopping center was built in 1832 and was central to the Spice Trade of the time. Notably, it was this trade in goods that was responsible for Cairo’s early wealth and forced European explorers to seek to find alternate routes to the Indies to break the Mamluks monopoly.

If you are looking for extraordinary travel at remarkable prices, Ker & Downey Luxury for Less itineraries may be just what you are looking for. Contact us to speak to one of our travel experts and plan your own bespoke adventure.

Luxury for Less: Wonders of the Okavango - Travel to Botswana

Ker & Downey is world re-knowned for its bespoke luxury travel adventures. Now, however, we are focusing on creating more affordable itineraries via our Luxury for Less series. Built on the idea of attainable elegance, the Ker & Downey, Luxury for Less itineraries offer extraordinary leisure at a reasonable price. Notably, our Wonders of the Okavango itinerary offers luxury travelers the opportunity to experience Botswana for a pittance.

Botswana is one of Africa’s most developed countries. As such, it offers curious travelers a “best of both worlds” scenario in that the country offers travelers the true African safari experience in the context of a developed nation.

On the first day of our, Wonders of the Okavang itinerary, travelers arrive in Maun, Botswana and whisked away to an awaiting light aircraft in which they are then flown across the Okavango Delta. After your aerial tour, you are taken to Kanana Camp, a pristine lodge in the inner reaches of the delta. In a buoyant recommendation on TripAdvisor, a user describes their trip to Botswana (and Kanana Camp) via Ker & Downey saying:

My husband and I have been to Botswana three times, always through Ker & Downey. Great company, everything worked like clockwork, people to meet our flights, etc. The fact that we rebooked with them twice after the initial trip should speak volumes. I don't know who you're working with there, but we had Jamie, and she gave us the BEST advice, really figured out "who we are" and what we'd enjoy and was spot-on. She convinced me to include 3 days at their more rustic "Footsteps Across the Delta" camp, and we're eternally grateful to her for that.

There, we primarily walked, and learned so much about the Delta, the animals, how to track, etc. Not as many animals encountered on foot, but much more intense and thrilling and personal an experience. This camp has been our "common denominator" on all three trips, we just love it! However, if you need en suite flush toilets to feel comfortable, Footsteps isn't for you!

We've stayed at both Shindi Camp and Kanana, both are wonderful. Although Shindi is perhaps a bit more "luxurious", you won't feel deprived at either! Even though the game viewing was probably superior at Shindi, it was certainly good at both and we found we prefer the atmosphere at Kanana, hard to explain why and this is a very personal, subjective thing anyhow. Shindi is more "polished" and the main dining/lounge structure is certainly spectacular (built into and around a huge tree, all polished mahogany or teak), but there was something very sweet about Kanana that defies explanation... perhaps it had to do with the staff all gathering at the entrance as our 4-wheel drive pulled up, to sing a welcome song to us.

Also, Kanana is a bit smaller and seems to be less booked up than Shindi -- we liked having only 4 to 8 other guests in camp with us, it just felt more congenial and personal. The food was comparable at both (very good). And they both had small pools for cooling off in the "siesta" time of the day, when no game activities are scheduled. Both camps have great water activities (pending time of year) as well as game drives. At Shindi it was possible to opt for a game walk, too.

What other camps are on your itinerary? We've stayed at most of the Ker and Downey camps, also some of the other camps that they cooperate with. Will you spend any time at Chobe park?

You will be in good hands with Ker and Downey, and you will fall in love with Botswana. We thought our first trip would be our "once in a lifetime", and find ourselves being drawn back again and again. (It's been 2 years since our last trip, and we're dreaming of returning).

After leaving Kanana Camp, you will head to Moremi Game Reserve where you will stay at the Okuti Camp. Of note, the Moremi Game Reserve is regarded as one of the world’s best locales for photographic expeditions. The reputation has been cultivated by years of diligent care and protection. Further, experienced game drivers accompany every traveler on their forays to ensure that the experience is professional and personal.

Ker & Downey Luxury for Less itineraries offer remarkable value for a remarkable price. Contact us, to speak to one of our travel experts and plan your own once in a lifetime luxury vacation.

Luxury for Less: Whispers of Africa: Luxury in the Bush

Ker & Downey is world re-knowned for its bespoke luxury travel adventures. Now, however, we are focusing on creating more affordable itineraries via our “Luxury for Less” series. Built on the idea of Attainable elegance, the Ker & Downey, “Luxury for Less,” itineraries offer extraordinary leisure at a reasonable price.

Today we focus on our, Whispers of Africa: Luxury in the Bush, itinerary. You will begin your journey with an overnight stay at #1 Melrose Blvd, a set of luxury apartments located in the heart of Johannesburg. The next morning, you will begin your journey by traveling to the game reserves at Madikwe Hills. Of note, a user from the popular travel website TripAdvisor wrote of his stay at Madikwe Hills saying:

We stayed 3 nights at Madikwe Hills in March this year. On arrival we were surprised to be upgraded to the honeymoon suite, which was magnificent. All accommodation here is of a very high standard. The rooms are huge - each with their own very comfortable lounge / sitting area with a fire, a huge bedroom (ours had a large four poster)looking out on to a private decked terrace with pool, and a large bathroom. Ours was entered via a flight of stairs and at the top was a large tub and a huge shower, all carved out of the rock. There was also an outside bath and shower on the terrace at the back of the bathroom overlooking the plains - very private and deeply romantic.

The two things that stood out about this place were the staff and the food. Both were superb. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful, and the rangers and guides were fabulous. This is one of the few lodges in this area of Madikwe where you go out with both a ranger and a tracker, so your chances of sightings are greater. During our stay we saw all but one of the big five and had the most jaw dropping encounters with lions. (It was scary, but then you can't come back from Africa without at least one near death experience story!) Our guide reliably informed us he had never seen anything like it before. Madikwe is less busy than Kruger, and the different lodges all work together and share information about sightings, increasing your likelihood of seeing what you've come to see.

The food at the lodge was fabulous, with all diets catered for - there was just too much of it and it sometimes felt a shame not to be able to eat everything put before you. Dinner was eaten around a communal table on the deck overlooking the water hole - a lovely setting.

On our last night here, we came back from the evening drive to be greeted with a candle lit room, rose petals leading up to our bath, which had been prepared with bubbles and flowers, with a complimentary bottle of champagne and a message 'Enjoy'. That just sums this place up - 5 star.

On your fifth day, your travel adventure takes you to Djuma Vuyatela, an exclusive and inviting lodge in the Sabi Sand area. Inkeeping with the African tradition of hospitality,  the term Vuyatela means, “come and visit again” and the lodge features a melting pot of modern South African cultures and design traditions. This is an important theme at Djuma Vuyatela as the lodge is built to reflect the local culture and styles. Most amazingly, if you so choose, after your morning game drive, you can accompany your guide to his nearby Shangaan village, where you will have the opportunity to interact with his family and learn about village life.

After leaving Djuma Vuyatele, adventurers can head to the Timbavati Private Game Reserve where they will lodge at the renowned Kings Camp. Kings camp is a luxury lodge built to give guests the opportunity to take advantage of the African wildlife in an unmistakably genuine fashion. Known for customizing any particular request, Kings Camp offers some of Africa’s rare sights and wonders to the adventurous traveler.

If you seek remarkable attention at a discrete price, Ker & Downey Luxury for Less itineraries provide just what you are looking for. Contact us to speak to one of our travel experts and plan your own luxury vacation of a lifetime.