Andreas Fox was born and raised in Kenya, into a family of keen naturalists. Together they have criss-crossed the country on camping and bird watching expeditions, many done as part of the National Museums and the East African Wildlife Society’s research projects. While an innate interest in wildlife and the natural world developed, Andreas did not quite realise its true extent until he left to study law at University in the United Kingdom.
After his honours degree, he took time out to volunteer on wildlife research projects in South Africa. He became a qualified ‘Level 1’ member with the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) and eventually found employment as a research assistant and conservation officer in the Greater Kruger National Park. Aiming to study and report on the behaviour and health of the major predator and mega-herbivore populations on private reserves, the project partnered with Universities across the world and reputable organisations such as the Endangered Wildlife Trust and SANParks.
Andreas was channeling his passion and continued to develop his guiding and research skills, becoming the project’s manager and eventually coordinator for all of Global Vision International’s wildlife projects in South Africa. Having mentored numerous volunteers through their own guiding qualifications, Andreas inevitably ventured into specialist guide training. Attaining the highest general guiding qualification, FGASA Level 3, with a specialism in the Savanna Biome and Savanna birding, Andreas went on to instructing students for Ecotraining, the most established guide training company in Southern Africa. Over the same period, he honed his walking safari and rifle handling skills on courses and wilderness trails in northern Kruger and the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana. As a fully qualified trails guide, Andreas now instructs budding walking guides to safely approach potentially dangerous animals across sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2014, Andreas founded Mbweha Training and Trails as a means to bring quality guide training and safaris to East Africa. Two years later, Andreas was honoured to accept an invitation to join Ker & Downey Safaris, the world’s oldest safari company, as an associate. In 2018, Andreas became a fully fledged partner. Combining Ker & Downey’s unparalleled experience running the finest luxury safaris in East Africa with his knowledge and walking experience in particular, Andreas aims to create unique experiential guided experiences.
While not instructing, Andreas guides private safaris that he has either created himself or in partnership with some Africa’s most renowned private guides. These itineraries have ranged from luxury fly-camping in afro-montane moorlands to multi-day wilderness walking trails, specialist photographic lodge-based safaris and even three-week 4×4 overland trips from South Africa to Kenya.
As partner of Ker & Downey Safaris, Andreas has access to the best luxury mobile camping equipment on the market. These camps can be set up to take advantage of seasonal wildlife concentrations, genuine cultural exposure or astonishing landscapes – all with total privacy and exclusivity in mind.
Having developed great relationships with some of the region’s best lodges and their guiding teams as well as an intimate knowledge of the reserves in which they are situated, Andreas also has a handpicked selection of luxury options available for the discerning guest.
No guide can know everything and must constantly be learning, from nature, colleagues, guests and a world of resources. Andreas’ curiosity, diverse experience, deep understanding of animal behaviour and involvement in a variety of conservation initiatives comes out in each safari and in his writing. He has had numerous safari and conservation-based articles published in Kenya’s widest-read newspaper, the Sunday Nation.
With diverse interests, a love of meeting new people and sharing insights into the natural world, Andreas welcomes you to join him on safari. Feel free to get in touch at any time.
