Griffin & Howe After Hours with Tom Dames from The Original Ker & Downey Safaris

Description

Thursday October 8th, 6pm – 9pm

Join us for an exclusive After Hours event featuring Tom and Kimmy Dames, founders of ‘The Safari Vibe’ and long-standing figures in the world of African travel. Marking the 80th anniversary of The Original Ker & Downey Safaris – the oldest continually operating safari company in Africa – Tom will share the legendary history of this storied organization and how it pioneered the modern photographic safari.

As a third-generation member of Ker & Downey, Tom will offer an inside look at how the company operates today and why it remains the gold standard for luxury mobile camping under canvas. Interestingly, when Ernest Hemingway embarked on the African safari that inspired The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber (the basis for the 1946 film The Macomber Affair, which launched Ker & Downey’s very first commercial project) he traveled with his trusty Griffin & Howe rifle.

During the evening, Tom will also discuss what goes into planning a bespoke safari today, highlighting how he and Kimmy integrate traditional private guiding with new wilderness destinations.

About Tom Dames

Tom has been immersed in the safari industry since he could walk. His father, Derek Dames, is a highly respected safari pioneer who joined The Original Ker & Downey Safaris in 1981; the year Tom was born. Tom is proud to be the third generation of his family to guide with this legendary organization, which today operates as an elite partnership of private guides and is Kenya’s premier luxury mobile camping outfitter. With over 26 years of professional guiding experience, an Honors Degree in Zoology, and a passion for the outdoors, fly-fishing, and field sports, Tom brings an unmatched depth of local knowledge and a lifetime of appreciation for Africa’s wilderness.

About Kimmy Dames

Kimmy was born and raised on the Kenyan coast, where a love of nature and the ocean was a way of life. Her father was a legendary big-game fisherman whose name was synonymous with big fish and blue-water on the Indian Ocean. Growing up on white-sandy beaches of Watamu, and with Tsavo National Park practically on her doorstep, Kimmy developed a deep, lifelong appreciation for the diverse landscapes, rich wildlife, and traditions of East Africa; elements that deeply inspire every bespoke itinerary she helps design today.

$65 per person (plus applicable NJ sales tax). Drinks and appetizers are included.

Cancellation Policy: Must contact us to cancel 10 days prior to the event to receive a full refund, or 72 hours prior to receive a 50% refund (minus credit card processing fees and applicable NJ sales tax). Any cancellations made less than 72 hours before the event date cannot be refunded.