Overview
Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of Africa. Discover the dreamy scenes of mystical mountains, savanna grasslands, and endless plains, but for the adventure seeker, it’s where the wild things are. The “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo await you on this ultimate safari through East Africa. Featuring unique lodges and tented camps, read more custom-made 4-wheel-drive safari vehicles, and exclusive meals in the bush, this Kenya and Tanzania tour promises larger than life experiences and countless memories. You’ll savor the unique terrain and wildlife at seven renowned national parks, reserves, and conservancies, including the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the vast, volcanic Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Beyond sightings of the “Big 5,” be on the lookout for cheetah, wildebeest, crocodile, hippo, and rhino. On the tamer side, you’ll also enjoy a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary as well as the endearing experience of interacting with local children at a primary school in Karatu. A Small Group Discovery tour to go wild for!
Small Group Discovery
4 - 4.5 Star
Premium
5-99 Years
24
Fully Guided
QB
Itinerary
Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins!
Welcome to Nairobi, gateway to your dream safari. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
To the Foot of Mount Kenya
Drive north out of the city to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The conservancy is home to the last two northern white rhinos and over 165 critically endangered black rhinos. After lunch and some time to settle in, embark on a game drive to begin your search for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. End the day with an exclusive welcome barbeque dinner in the bush.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT: A guest favorite, Sweetwaters Serena Camp is in the heart of the conservancy with magnificent views of Mount Kenya. Globus guests are always given tents directly in front of the floodlit waterhole where wildlife comes to drink day and night, improving the opportunity to see fascinating wildlife directly from your private verandah!
LOCAL FAVORITE - A WILD WELCOME: Join your traveling companions for a special welcome dinner in the bush overlooking the Ewaso Ng'iro River. Share stories of the day over food and drink and learn what adventures lie ahead.
Safari Sensation
Rise early for a morning game drive with beautiful Mount Kenya as the backdrop. Beyond the “Big 5,” you may spot cheetah, zebra, gazelle, and more. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare wild dogs. After some down time and lunch, visit the Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary then set out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner at camp concludes your first full day on safari!
LOCAL FAVORITE - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Learn more about the plight of chimpanzees and the great work being done for their welfare during a visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary offers a long-term home to orphaned and abused chimpanzees—a moving example of wildlife conservation for future generations. For the welfare of the chimps who call the sanctuary home, our small group visits are broken into groups of six, also affording a more personal visit for our guests.
Natural Highs
Leave Ol Pejeta and journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa. Stop at the dramatic Nyahururu Falls and then on to Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive and a chance to see giraffe, impala, flamingo, striped hyena, and a variety of birdlife along the water's edge. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to the largest euphorbia forest in Africa, an important pollination and food source for bees and black rhinos, yet toxic to many animals.
Jewel of Kenya
This morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's most famous game area. “The Mara,” as it is called by locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game.
When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrive, typically from August to early November, their population grows by almost 2 million - a bountiful food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. Your visit contributes to Wildlife Conservation Network's Lion Recovery Fund, aimed at recovering the lion population in Africa after more than half have been lost over the past 25 years.
After lunch at your lodge, set out on an afternoon game drive. Each night, enjoy a dinner experience showcasing the fresh, locally grown produce from the onsite garden.
Magical Mara
Rise early for a morning game drive including an exclusive bush breakfast. Be sure to watch for elephant, rhino, giraffe, topi, hyena, and much more. Return to the camp and relax prior to your afternoon game drive.
LOCAL FAVORITE - BREAKFAST IN THE BUSH: As part of your morning game drive, you'll be treated to this time-honored safari experience in Africa's unmatched landscapes, reminiscent of Africa's early explorers. Sip mimosas as you savor this memorable experience in the wild.
In the Shadows of “Kili”
This morning, choose to join an early morning game drive or opt to rest at the lodge. After breakfast, fly to Amboseli National Park, known for spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro or “Kili” as the locals call it, the highest mountain in Africa. After lunch at the lodge, embark on an afternoon game drive.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SAFARI LODGE: Spend leisure time at the lodge exploring the grounds on a guided nature walk or participate in eco-tourism activities by planting an indigenous tree to improve the dry area. Cooking classes, language lessons, massage services, and a free-form pool enrich your experience.
Adventure in Amboseli
Morning and afternoon game drives are included today. Amboseli affords you a terrific opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You may spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more. Visit a Maasai village to learn more about their way of life and stop for sundowner drinks prior to returning to your lodge for dinner.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - RICH IN CULTURE: Neutral tones are encouraged for safari expeditions but the village visits provide spectacular visions of vibrantly beaded necklaces and red clothing traditional to the Maasai culture, symbolizing strength and courage, as well as serving to ward off predators from afar.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SUNDOWNER DRINKS: This evening, as the sun sets with “Kili” as the backdrop, savor a memorable happy hour in the bush! The origin of the tradition dates to British colonialism in Africa in the 18th century and was born out of necessity rather than enjoyment. Containing quinine-infused tonic and gin, colonizers drank it to ward off malaria. As the British Empire expanded into Africa, the popularity of gin and tonic spread with it. Today, Sundowners mark the transition from day to night.
Border Duties & Into Tanzania
This morning, enter Tanzania at the Namanga border. Enjoy lunch at Arusha's largest coffee plantation. Witness the colorful culture in the villages and diverse ecosystems en route to your lodge along the rim of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Check in and enjoy leisure time prior to dinner. Consider a visit to a local village for a market experience or a nature walk on the safari lodge property.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDERS: Lake Manyara National Park is a breathtaking safari haven, characterized by its expansive soda lake and diverse wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, elephants, and vibrant bird species amidst stunning landscapes of woodlands, forests, and grasslands. From large troops of forest baboons to trumpeting herds of elephants, the lake is also a sanctuary for thirsty buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras
From Forest Floor to Crater's Edge
Lake Manyara National Park is a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and alkaline Lake Manyara itself. The park is also home to the world's largest concentration of baboon and over 300 migratory birds including flamingoes, long-crested eagles, and grey-headed kingfishers. Watch for the mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your morning game drive.
After a BBQ lunch, journey to Karatu where you'll visit a local primary school. Continue to your lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, which is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
LOCAL FAVORITE - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Today, your small group is invited for a personal visit to a local primary school to meet the children and learn about the educational system in rural Tanzania.
Into Africa's Eden
Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest unflooded caldera, more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year-round. This is your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros, lion, Cape buffalo, hippo, elephants, and a variety of birds during this extraordinary experience. An exclusive bush lunch will be served in the crater. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Maasai dance performance.
LOCAL FAVORITE - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Because of the time it takes to descend into and ascend out of the crater, it's common to eat lunch in the crater. While standard safari fare is typically a cold box lunch, your small group is treated to an exclusive, freshly cooked bush BBQ lunch served under a grove of Acacia trees, while not missing a moment of wildlife viewing time.
LOCAL FAVORITE - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: The Maasai people bring a history of colorful culture tied to this wilderness known as the Cradle of Life. After dinner tonight, enjoy a traditional Maasai dance performance celebrating an ancient culture amid the majestic wildlife who find sanctuary here.
On the Endless Plains
Drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's largest and most famous park. The Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles. The name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning “endless plains.” Enjoy lunch at your tented camp before an afternoon game drive. You have the chance to see the big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. You may even spot a caracal, a rare, beautiful cat with distinctive ears and strong hind legs.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp provides a refined retreat within the spectacular natural landscapes of Serengeti National Park. With just 16 custom-made canvas tents, your small group enjoys all the comforts of home for a restful retreat after a day on safari. Each tent features two queen beds, free Wi-Fi to send your daily photos back home, and a private tented bathroom. Enjoy room service and sip your morning coffee or settle in at day's end on your outside private terrace to take in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding glades.
Serengeti Serendipity
Continue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, generally between late November and July, the Serengeti attracts visitors from around the world and is great for year-round game viewing. Tonight, join a farewell dinner in the bush to celebrate your safari adventure.
A Furry Farewell
Embark on one final game drive before flying back to Arusha, where a day room has been reserved at the Mount Meru Hotel for your use. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm.
Trip Inclusions
- 3 game drives in Ol Pejeta Conservancy with an exclusive BBQ dinner in the bush
- Guided visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- A game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
- 4 game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve with an exclusive breakfast in the bush
- 3 game drives in Amboseli National Park with Sundowners in the bush
- A game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
- Visit a local primary school in Tanzania
- A full day game drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area with an exclusive bush lunch inside the crater and a traditional Maasai dance performance
- 4 game drives in Serengeti National Park with a special farewell dinner in the bush
- Private 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle, limited to just 6 guests and equipped with a pop-up roof for unfettered game viewing
- Hand selected safari lodges and tented camps plus a day room in Arusha for late flight departures
- All internal flights!
- Breakfast daily, 12 lunches, 12 dinners
- Nairobi: Nairobi Serena Hotel (Superior First-Class):
Despite its central location, the Nairobi Serena hotel is a quiet sanctuary amid the bustle of one of Africa's most dynamic cities. The interior décor reflects an entirely pan-African theme featuring art and inspiration from Ethiopia, the Maghreb, West Africa and East Africa. Offering a wide range of dining experiences, The Nairobi Serena is renowned for its 'Mandhari' fine-dining restaurant, which is universally acknowledged as one of Kenya's finest. - Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Sweetwaters Serena Camp (Superior First-Class):
A sheltered oasis clustered around a waterhole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters Tented Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and safari luxury. - Lake Nakuru National Park Area: Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (First-Class):
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is cleverly laid out such that most rooms and sitting areas afford stunning views of Lake Nakuru. The Lodge incorporates natural landscaping with tall acacia trees, winding walkways and greens dotted with bird feeds. The Lodge is a natural haven for bird life and attracts over 50 species of birds. Electricity is provided 24 hours a day. - Maasai Mara National Reserve Area: Sarova Mara Camp (Superior First-Class):
Sarova Mara Camp is situated in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, offering a front seat to the rolling plains of East Africa. The camp offers an unparalleled plethora of activities and experiences from tented living to bird-watching to a unique insight into the Maasai culture at the adjoining Maasai village. The large grounds are beautifully laid out with exotic trees and indigenous shrubs. - Amboseli National Park Area: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (First-Class):
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, the glittering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge enjoys a uniquely privileged position at the heart of this world-famous national park. At the center of ""Maasailand"", the lodge's décor reflects the brilliant primary colors and iconic shapes representative of these legendary warriors. At the heart of the lodge, shaded by palm trees, is a free-form swimming pool; to either side of which stretch the rooms. Electricity is provided 24 hours a day. - Lake Manyara National Park: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (First-Class):
Standing high on the edge of a towering terracotta escarpment with panoramic views over the glittering alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of tranquility, wildlife discovery, and ornithological richness. - Ngorongoro Crater: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (First-Class):
Regularly voted one of the best hotels in the world, this unique lodge clings to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, the largest and most perfect volcanic crater on Earth. Long and low, the lodge is built from local river stone and camouflaged with indigenous vines. Designed to blend completely into the landscape, it is entirely invisible from the floor of the Crater 600 meters below. Hugging the contours of the jagged Crater rim, the lodge takes its inspiration from the so-called 'Cradle of Mankind', the prehistoric site of Olduvai Gorge, which lies close by. Linked by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its walls are decorated with stylized prehistoric cave paintings and lit by flaring torches. Electricity is provided 24 hours a day. - Serengeti National Park: Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp (Superior First-Class):
"Mbuzi Mawe Camp is nestled in a secluded acacia glade with sweeping views over the alternately lush and burning plains of Serengeti National Park. Carefully sited on one of the main annual migration corridors, the camp enjoys a ringside seat for one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth."
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- The Great Migration is a natural event with herds typically in the Maasai Mara from August to early November. Movements and river crossings of migrating herds can be challenging to predict year to year. When possible, we'll modify game viewing when advised of reported sightings. Since this safari includes Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, you're guaranteed to see the herds no matter when you visit. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.
- Some internal flights have a strict maximum guest weight limit of 265 lbs. / 120 kgs. Any guests weighing more than the limit may be required to purchase an additional seat. Globus Tour Operations must be advised of any guests weighing more than the limit prior to final payment to ensure space can be confirmed.
Operator
At Globus, we understand that your holiday is your treat – a gift from you to you. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination.
Globus includes all must-see national parks and game sites, with special VIP access that lets you skip to the front of the queue. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great safari experience. Savour the flavours of Africa through its regional cuisine. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast experience in game spotting & tracking. Read more
Globus' selection of lodges & camps provide a relaxing checkpoint to your safari experience. Read more
Get the best possible safari experience with Globus' range of custom-designed 4WD safari vehicles. Read more
Experience Africa like an insider with Local Favourites that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Trip Reviews (2)
Globus is a very reliable tour company and every step of the tour goes with the itinerary read more they advertised. The accommodations were all 5 star and they were fantastic. The local tour guides generally are good but because 17 tourists were separated into 4 groups and sitting in 4 4-wheel drive tour buses, the guide was not always staying with your group. The more time you spent actually was with our fellow travellers.
The local guide Robert in Tanzania was fantastic. He has obtained two degrees in medicine and law in England. He practices as an ER doctor and comes to work as a tourist guide once a month in high tour seasons. He transformed our tour beyond the leisure holiday to be like an interesting lecture about the local history and archaeology. In the future, I would still like to travel with Globus.
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Globus Small Group Discoveries (2026-27)
Enjoy front-row views of legendary sites more such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Tetons and Nagoya Castle. Skip the queues with VIP entry, and immerse yourself in stories that bring rich history and vibrant cultures to life. With nearly 100 years of expertise, hand-selected hotels, expert Tour Directors and worry-free travel, Globus delivers the ultimate touring experience – now with the added benefit of smaller groups for bigger discoveries. This is Touring. Beyond. Don’t just see the world. Tour it with Globus Small Group Discoveries.
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