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Best in Africa the Top Hotels & Top Countries THE LUXURY MAGAZINE FOR WORLD TRAVELERS BESPOKE SPECIAL EDITION KER & DOWNEY MAGAZINE BEST IN AFRICA THE TOP HOTELS & TOP COUNTRIES A Southern PARADISE Grootbos Luxury Lodge LIZ BIDEN & the ROYAL COLLECTION The Finer Things of South Africa 12 DAYS on WONDERS OF TANZANIA INSIDE: TANZANIA SOUTH AFRICA BOTSWANA NAMIBIA MORE BESPOKE Contents SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS ADVENTURE ITINERARY rest & RELAXatION Namibia: The Great Wonders of Tanzania Haven on the Bay Adventure The world of wildlife is no Grootbos Private Nature From sand to sea, Na- better than in Tanzania. Reserve is making quite mibia offers unforgettable Explore the “wonders” of a splash with its opportu- adventure in this remote this East African country nity for luxury travelers to corner of Southern Africa. through this amazing experience adventure and itinerary we have outlined relaxation from the same Pg. 44 for you. destination. Pg. 10 Pg. 50 WWW.KERDOWNEY.COM WWW.KERDOWNEY.COM SPECIAL EDITION // CONTENTS facebook.com/keranddowney Contents EXpert GUIDING HOTELS Well-Guided The Royal Portfolio “Flying along the stark Skeleton Coast Safari The talented Liz Biden or over the red dune sea of Sossusvlei can hardly Ker & Downey catches shares her story behind up with our favorite the creation of the ultra- be described in words...” Botswana guide, Doug luxurious Royal Portfolio. NAMIBIA: THE GREAT ADVENTURE / Page 44 Wright. Pg. 38 Pg. 8 THE TRAVELOGUE CREDITSCREDITS Special Africa Edition All pricing that has been notated in this Our World A comprehensive map of our destinations. pg.5 Executive Editor: Andrew Littmann magazine has been listed based on double Contributing Editors: Becky Bader, David Jones occupancy. Prices may vary depending on Writers: Katy Heerssen, Gary Walther, Scott Goetz the time of year as well as other variable Design: Andrew Littmann, Brittan Pittman factors. Letter from the President David Marek shares his thoughts on For future advertising consideration: why Africa is still a special place to visit time and time again pg.6 Contact Andrew Littmann - 281.371.2500 © 2012 Ker & Downey [email protected] *This magazine is a publication of Ker & Photography credits include: Downey. The views and opinions expressed Andy Anderson, Mike Meyers & Wilderness Safaris, in this magazine belong to contributors and Matemwe, Asilia Africa, David Marek, Thinkstock Photos, writers and may not reflect the views and Uncharted Africa, Zarafa Camp, Shinde, Dook, The Royal opinions of Ker & Downey. Portfolio, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve On the Cover: A quintessential image of the culture and beauty of Africa. This issue is entirely dedicated to the great continent of Africa and all its diversity. Talk to one of our Africa specialists or learn more about our unique journeys, luxury properties, or about Africa in general at www.kerdowney.com. FOR TRAVEL AGENTS: Reservations or questions can be handled by calling us at 800.423.4236. 4 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey WWW.KERDOWNEY.COM facebook.com/keranddowney SPECIAL EDITION // OUR WORLD Our World Bespoke Thinking The real heartbeat of Ker & Downey traveling lies in our dedication to creating hand-crafted journeys that will change your life. The experience you gain, the adventure you have, the people you meet - all of these are the benchmarks of a truly life-changing journey. So step into the world of Our Global Destinations Ker & Downey with boldness. With any of our excursions, mix and match a world of destinations East AFRica BRAZIL SOUTHERN AFRica and luxury properties for your very own, unique CHILE trip of a lifetime. KENYA BOTSWANA ECUADOR & RWANDA MAURITIUS THE GALAPAGOS SEYCHELLES MOZAMBIQUE PERU TANZANIA NAMIBIA UGANDA SOUTH AFRICA ASIA FeatURED IN THIS issUE ZAMBIA BHUTAN NORTH AFRica & ZIMBABWE THE MIDDLE East INDIA NEPAL SOUTHERN AFRica EGYPT LAOS BOTSWANA ISRAEL CAMBODIA NAMIBIA JORDAN THAILAND SOUTH AFRICA OMAN VIETNAM QATAR TURKEY East AFRica SOUTH PaciFIC MOROCCO TANZANIA UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND FRENCH POLYNESIA SOUTH AMERica ARGENTINA Ker & Downey | SPECIAL EDITION 5 WWW.KERDOWNEY.COM SPECIAL EDITION // LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT facebook.com/keranddowney Africa, Again & Again I recently spoke at a gathering of 25 safari participants, of which only two had ever been on safari previously. A familiar question always asked by first-timers came up and it is, “what is your favorite place in Africa to visit”? As someone who gets asked this question all the time, one would think I have a standard reply. But I don’t. I am as fascinated and perplexed by Africa today as I was when I took my first trip there in 1978. Listen to someone who has been to Africa two or three times speak and he or she will have strong opinions about the places you have to go, or stay, or shop. But once Africa gets into your blood and you visit it many more times, the answer to the question becomes more complicated. Everyone has seen the Serengeti on the Discovery Channel and has been awed by the rugged beauty of the spectacle, but how about the Okavango Delta’s reputation as the predator capitol of the world? Or maybe you’ve been to South Africa’s Sabi Sands reserve and experienced the up-close encounters with leopards that this area is known for? Or Namibia and its Skeleton Coast, or Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, or hiked Uganda’s Impenetrable Forest, or maybe you’ve seen the Marine “Big 5” from South Africa’s coast… there’s so much to see and experience! We’ve highlighted some of the best in Africa in this issue of BESPOKE, but this is just a sample of what’s there. Africa simply gets under your skin. Take a trip with us to our Africa and let us design a journey especially for you and the way you like to travel. Whether your interests are wildlife and adventure, culture and philanthropy, cuisine, golfing, or a little of everything, it’s all there waiting for you. So go with us and form your own opinions about your favorite places in Africa. Trust me... just go! David Marek President KER & DOWNEY LIONEss A timeless image of Africa captured by Ker & Downey’s own president, David Marek, on his latest trip to Kenya. Philanthropy: Learn how to get involved with Ker & Downey’s philanthropy projects while traveling at www.kerdowney.com/philanthropy. FOR TRAVEL AGENTS: Reservations or questions can be handled by calling us at 800.423.4236. 6 SPECIAL EDITION | Ker & Downey WWW.KERDOWNEY.COM SPECIAL EDITION // WELL GUIDED SAFARI facebook.com/keranddowney Well-Guided Safari Ker & Downey catches up with Doug Wright, our long-standing favorite guide in Botswana. The safari business has evolved over the past half century just as all businesses have evolved. In the days of Hemingway, a safari was a several monthlong production with porters, cooks, gun-bearers, and trackers with the Professional Hunter heading up the whole affair. The job of the Professional Hunter in those days was not only to locate big game for his clients, but also to entertain and educate his clients on anything from the cherished ritual of manhood for young Masaai males to the annual flood cycle of the Okavango Delta. He old Chevy and the fact that he did not reach hospital for four days was an educator and a protector, the guru who knew the telltale impressed upon him the necessity to treat dangerous animals with signs that indicated when one could approach these elephants or the utmost respect. Doug still thinks the iodine bath administered to those lions on foot. At the end of the day, he could entertain with him by his mother upon reaching home hurt far worse than the lion stories of the bush around a campfire and a G and T. mauling. Today’s safari guide is much the same. He should be someone who Doug hunted professionally in Botswana until 1990 when he left the has spent a lifetime in the bush, knowing and understanding all business, deciding instead to concentrate on providing the best pho- things flora and fauna. Within hours of meeting his clients, a safari tographic and adventure safaris. Since then Doug has been General guide should be able to determine his clients’ fitness level in the Manager of Ker & Downey Botswana and Chairman of the Hotel case of trekking for gorillas or know when the clients prefer to do a and Tourism Association of Botswana, and he was also appointed to walking safari. He will have a wonderful ability to get children and a seat on the Tourism Board. teenagers involved and away from their smartphone. In short, to- day’s private safari guide is someone who will make this experience While a shareholder and director of Ker & Downey Botswana, Doug special for every member of the group regardless of age or gender. focused on the development of new adventure programs using the skills that served him so well as a professional hunter. The “Young One such safari guide is Doug Wright. Explorers” program was developed because Doug saw a need to introduce the increasing numbers of young American families going Doug was born in Maun, Botswana in 1941. His father came to on safari to some of the bushcraft he learned as a young boy. Chil- Botswana in 1918 to establish a business trading in a wide variety dren as young as seven learn to track and identify game, fish, pole of goods. Doug refers to his “University Education” in safari terms, a mokoro, safely shoot a pellet gun, build a fire, identify constella- beginning when he was sixteen and hunting lion. The lion in ques- tions, drive a Land Rover, and much more. tion charged, was fatally shot in the process, yet had plenty of life left to give Doug a severe mauling.
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