Sydney Downey
Encyclopedia
Sydney Downey was a British-Kenyan white hunter and safari pioneer. He learned the trade of guiding safari
hunts from an older generation of white hunters, including his early mentor Philip Percival
. Yet he is perhaps most well known for teaming up with Donald Ker
to create Ker and Downey Safaris Ltd., a company that was at the forefront of the move away from hunting and towards photographic safaris.
. He spent most of his early childhood in Argentina, leaving the country for England to attend secondary school. Upon graduating school he sailed to Kenya
, where he found a job working on a coffee plantation outside of Nairobi
.
. In the early days with the company, Downey worked with Philip Percival on several safaris as his "second hunter." Percival quickly became Donwey's mentor. Downey soon met Ronald Ker, another Kenyan hunter with whom he developed a rivalry. During the 1930s Ker and Downey were known for having opened up much of the Masai Mara
to hunting. However, both hunters took a break from their trade when World War II
broke out in 1939, joining the British effort in East Africa against the Italians.
, taking back the city of Addis Ababa
. It was at this time that Ker and Downey met again, during an "impromptu meeting of the East African Professional Hunters’ Association," in an Addis Ababa bar. During their meeting Ker pitched Downey on the idea of going into business together as soon as the war ended. Sure enough when the war ended the pair kept their promises and founded Ker and Downey Safaris. They hired some of the most well known East African hunters including Harry Selby
. In fact the company eventually became Ker, Downey and Selby Safaris, as Selby expanded the operation down in Botswana
. However the partnership with Selby did not last in the end. Ker and Downey had both been moving away from hunting safaris and towards photographic trips, since neither of them particularly enjoyed killing animals, instead preferring the chase. Downey eventually became just as well known for his conservationism as his hunting.
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
hunts from an older generation of white hunters, including his early mentor Philip Percival
Philip Percival
Philip Hope Percival was a renowned white hunter and early safari guide in colonial Kenya. During his career he guided Teddy Roosevelt, Baron Rothschild, and Ernest Hemingway on African hunts. In fact, Hemingway modeled the fictional hunter Robert Wilson, in his story "“The Short Happy Life of...
. Yet he is perhaps most well known for teaming up with Donald Ker
Donald Ker
Donald Ker was a famous Kenyan white hunter, safari guide and conservationist of British descent. As a young man he teamed up Sydney Downey to create Ker and Downey Ltd., one of the first guide companies to transition from hunting to photographic safaris...
to create Ker and Downey Safaris Ltd., a company that was at the forefront of the move away from hunting and towards photographic safaris.
Early Life
Downey was born to a British expatriot family ranching cattle in ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. He spent most of his early childhood in Argentina, leaving the country for England to attend secondary school. Upon graduating school he sailed to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, where he found a job working on a coffee plantation outside of Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
.
Hunting Life
Downey became a professional hunter in 1933 when he joined Leslie Tarlton’s SafarilandSafariland
Safariland, LLC is a division of BAE Systems, Inc. a subsidiary of the United Kingdom-based defense and aerospace company BAE Systems PLC. It is a major designer and manufacturer of equipment for sporting, military, law enforcement, investigation and public safety personnel.-History:The company was...
. In the early days with the company, Downey worked with Philip Percival on several safaris as his "second hunter." Percival quickly became Donwey's mentor. Downey soon met Ronald Ker, another Kenyan hunter with whom he developed a rivalry. During the 1930s Ker and Downey were known for having opened up much of the Masai Mara
Masai Mara
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large game reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania...
to hunting. However, both hunters took a break from their trade when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out in 1939, joining the British effort in East Africa against the Italians.
Ker and Downey Safaris
As the war in Africa was winding down the British successfully ousted the Italians from EthiopiaEthiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, taking back the city of Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
. It was at this time that Ker and Downey met again, during an "impromptu meeting of the East African Professional Hunters’ Association," in an Addis Ababa bar. During their meeting Ker pitched Downey on the idea of going into business together as soon as the war ended. Sure enough when the war ended the pair kept their promises and founded Ker and Downey Safaris. They hired some of the most well known East African hunters including Harry Selby
Harry Selby (hunter)
Harry Selby is a South African white hunter who made a name for himself in Kenya and then in Bechuanaland. Selby honed his hunting skills early in life while working for the Safariland safari company and under the tutelage of legendary hunter Philip Percival...
. In fact the company eventually became Ker, Downey and Selby Safaris, as Selby expanded the operation down in Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. However the partnership with Selby did not last in the end. Ker and Downey had both been moving away from hunting safaris and towards photographic trips, since neither of them particularly enjoyed killing animals, instead preferring the chase. Downey eventually became just as well known for his conservationism as his hunting.