Who we are

Howard is a professional safari guide based in Kenya. Born and raised near Sydney, Australia, Howard first set foot in Africa at the age of 17, on a family safari. He was smitten with the wildlife, landscapes, and people, and after finishing university he returned to Kenya to become a professional guide. Howard has been guiding since 1994, originally leading adventurous trips that circumnavigated Lake Victoria through Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has been a partner at The Original Ker & Downey Safaris since 2001.

While he thoroughly enjoys “just being out in the bush” while on safari, Howard takes particular interest in the behavior and ecology of large carnivores, the great apes, insects, and reptiles. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about these taxa, as well as the Amboseli and Mara-Serengeti ecosystems. Howard has spent a considerable amount of time in the field with biologists, and enjoys helping children explore and learn while on safari – nature’s ultimate classroom. Howard is also deeply involved with conservation efforts in Kenya’s remaining wildlife areas: he is a founder and member of the Board of Trustees of the Kenya Wildlife Trust.

Howard lives on the edge of Nairobi with Stephanie, a wildlife biologist and science writer, and their two young children, Ollie and Halina. Howard is an avid rugby player and fan, and when he isn’t on safari in Africa he enjoys traveling to wilderness areas and historical sites around the world. 

When a safari requires more than one vehicle, Howard works with additional top calibre guides and partners such as Alan Binks, Martin Seth-Smith, and Andreas Fox.

It takes a small army to organize and execute each safari, and our team takes great pride in their work. Wilfred Samoire manages the mobile camp and crew and Tom Maingi (aka Tom Cake) is the head chef. Waiters, kitchen helpers, tent stewards, drivers, and additional spotters round out an exceptional group of people catering to guests in our mobile camp in Kenya.