Skip to content
Leopard in Botswana on safari with Beagle Expeditions
Poolside luxury at Luanwga Safari House, Robin Pope Safaris
Warm and earthy interiors at Tswalu Tarkuni in South Africa
Walking safari in Tsavo, Kenya with Tropical Ice
Small Group

Private Adventures

& African Safari Tours

Icon

Exclusive Expeditions

About Small Group Safari Tours

  • The Classic Safari Company offers privately guided small group African safari tours tailored for families, friends, and special-interest groups such as photographers and birders, with all logistics handled end-to-end.
  • Tour styles include air safaris, horseback safaris, walking expeditions, expeditionary cruising, women-only journeys, and wildlife and conservation experiences, all with low guest-to-guide ratios.
  • Destinations span Africa’s finest wilderness areas, including Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and beyond, with itineraries ranging from set departures to fully bespoke adventures.

What Are Small Group African Safari Tours?

Small group African safari tours are privately guided expeditions in which an intimate number of travellers explore Africa’s wilderness together, with itineraries and logistics curated specifically for their group. Classic Safari Company offers a range of exceptional experiences for private groups, giving families, close friends, and special-interest travellers exclusive access to extraordinary landscapes, with all logistics, levels of service, and itinerary details taken care of.

What Types of Small Group Safari Experiences Are Available?

Classic Safari Company offers six distinct small group safari experience types, each designed to suit different travel styles and interests.

Air Safaris

See what would take weeks or even months by road in just a few days while embracing the thrill of adventure and the romance of the open skies. There is no better way to appreciate the vast emptiness of a desert, the abundance of a jungle, or the sweeping lagoons of coastal wilderness than from the air. Air safaris open up a world of opportunity and render the impossible not just possible, but mind blowing.

Journeys for Women

We have a selection of small group African safari tours specifically designed by women, for women. The collection presents the opportunity for like-minded, adventurous, and curious women to venture to some of the most inspirational, exotic, and exploratory destinations on the planet with the companionship and security of a small group, and the knowledge and expertise of the best specialist guides. Our African safari small group tours exclusive to women are the ultimate collection for any independent female adventurer who is passionate about travel and discovering the hidden gems of our spectacular planet.

Horseback Safaris

If you are a keen equestrian, a hobbyist horse lover, or an adventurous thrill seeker, talk to us about our horse-riding small group African safari tours and adventures. In Africa you might find yourself cantering through the pristine waters of Botswana’s Okavango Delta or riding amongst the migration with thousands of wildebeest that annually traverse Kenya’s Maasai Mara. All our rides are small group adventures with low guest to guide ratios and limited availability.

Hikes & Expeditions

The best way to experience wildlife is to get right amongst it for numerous days at a time. These expeditionary style African safari small group tours will take you deep into the wilderness, often on two feet, four legs or by paddle power.

Expeditionary Cruising

Some of the world’s most unique natural wonders are only accessible by boat, so Classic Safari Company has handpicked a collection of cruises to get you there. Experience the Galapagos where animals reign supreme, sail through the iodine waters and lush rainforest of the Amazon, and travel on vessels renowned for their comfort, crewed by expert guides who will deepen your understanding of these remarkable places.

Wildlife & Conservation

The wild world is not just defined by destination but also by the abundance and wonder of nature hiding within its biospheres. Through private wildlife and conservation experiences, you will embark on a journey that inspires natural curiosity. All wildlife and conservation African safari small group tours are kept purposefully small for guests who desire an exclusive, immersive encounter with nature.

What Itineraries Are Available for Small Group African Safaris?

Classic Safari Company offers a curated selection of set departure and inspiration itineraries across Africa’s finest wilderness destinations, all with low guest-to-guide ratios and limited availability.

Kenya: Great Walk of Africa

Set Departure | Kenya Mobile Hiking Safari

This is Africa’s definitive walking safari. Hiking for multiple days along two of the most beautiful rivers on the continent, which are home to the biggest elephant herds in Africa, it is no wonder this trip has been described as the greatest African bush experience on the continent.

Botswana: Northern Highlights

Set Departure | Botswana Mobile Camping Safari

A mobile safari is reminiscent of the expeditions undertaken by the early explorers. Each safari is led by a professional guide accompanied by a small convoy of camp staff and the equipment necessary for a self-contained journey through the wilderness. This allows access to remote wilderness areas within Botswana’s national parks and reserves, far beyond the reach of a morning game drive out of a lodge.

South Luangwa Zambia Walking Safari

Walking Safari | On Foot in Zambia

Unfolding in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, a walking safari offers a unique experience in one of the richest wildlife areas in the world. Hiking expeditions take you between two camps, accessible only by foot, following well-worn elephant and hippo trails. With pulses racing you will discover the inner workings of the African bush in a way you could never imagine from a vehicle.

Botswana: Privately Guided Safari

Mobile Safari | Explorations in Nature

Beagle Expeditions is a small, family-run outfit offering exploratory mobile safaris through the wildest reaches of Botswana. With availability of only 100 days per year, their trips are exclusive and highly sought after. There are no set itineraries and the day’s activities are determined by weather, water, and wildlife movement, a rare way to travel in the modern world.

Kids on Safari

Inspiration Itinerary | Kenya’s Playground

Kenya offers a sensational family holiday. Imagine feeding a giraffe over breakfast, watching hippos wallow in the mud, and seeing lions in their natural habitat. Many safari camps offer two-bedroom family tents, and activities are tailored to all ages, including guided walks, cooking classes, and wildlife education programmes.

Botswana Mobile Exploration Safari

Mobile Safari | Exploring Botswana’s Wilderness

Roger Dugmore is one of the pioneers of African wilderness exploration, having guided safaris for over 30 years. His safaris follow the tradition of the original safari concept in authentic, remote wilderness areas. Perfect for families or groups of friends, his mobile safaris move to where the wildlife action is, underpinned by his extensive knowledge of Botswana’s most striking landscapes.

Remote Zambia

Inspiration Itinerary | Luangwa Valley Wilderness

Remove yourself completely from the fast pace of modern life over seven nights combining the northern and southern wilderness parks of the Luangwa Valley. Adjust your pace to the Luangwa River’s natural rhythm and enjoy a wide array of experiences, from walking safaris along hippo trails to indulging in freshly baked goods produced using local skills and techniques.

Kenyan Air Safari

Inspiration Itinerary | North to South by Plane

Kenya is famed for the Masai Mara, with its prolific game sprawled across vast open plains, and is home to one of nature’s greatest spectacles: the annual wildebeest migration. Flying over these landscapes is a highlight of any Kenya safari, with visits to Lewa and the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the north adding further diversity to the journey.

Zambia: Luangwa Walking Safari

Set Departure | Zambia’s Luangwa on Foot

The Robin Pope Safaris Mobile Walking Safari is widely regarded as the finest wilderness experience in Zambia, if not the entire African continent. The area is remote and wild, the terrain and habitats are varied, and the wildlife is unaccustomed to people, offering a rare and profound connection with the bush.

Botswana: Horse Riding Safari Exploration

Set Departure | Makgadikgadi Pans on Horseback

The remote and mysterious Makgadikgadi Pans are a place to feel gloriously free, and the most perfect ground for an exhilarating riding safari. Head out on horseback with the legendary David Foot to experience the Kalahari from the best seat in the house.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small-Group African Safari Tours

How Small is a ‘Small Group’ Safari?

Classic Safari Company’s small group tours are designed with low guest-to-guide ratios to ensure an intimate, personalised experience. The exact group size varies by tour style, but all departures are intentionally limited to preserve the quality of the wildlife encounter and the exclusivity of the experience.

Are Small-Group African Safari Tours Suitable for Families with Children?

Yes. Many of Classic Safari Company’s small group itineraries are well suited to families with children, particularly in Kenya and Botswana. Safari camps across these destinations offer family-specific accommodations such as two-bedroom tents, child-friendly activities, and guided wildlife education programmes. The Kids on Safari itinerary is designed specifically with families in mind.

What is the Difference Between a Set Departure & a Bespoke Itinerary?

A set departure is a pre-scheduled group journey with fixed dates, routes, and a small number of available places. A bespoke itinerary is designed from scratch around your group’s specific interests, travel window, and preferences. Classic Safari Company offers both options and can advise on which best suits your group.

Which African Destinations Are Covered by Small-Group Safari Tours?

Classic Safari Company’s small group tours cover a wide range of African destinations, including Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, and more. Each destination offers distinct wildlife, landscapes, and experiences, and the team can help identify which best matches your group’s interests.

Do You Offer Small-Group Safaris Designed Specifically for Women?

Yes. Classic Safari Company offers a dedicated range of Journeys for Women, which are small group safari tours designed by women, for women. These itineraries are crafted to provide like-minded female travellers with the companionship of a small group, the security of expert guides, and access to some of the most extraordinary destinations on the planet.

Let's Talk

Itineraries - Your next adventure

All our departures are unique, small group journeys with low guest to guide ratios.
They fill up quickly – enquire today!

CAN'T FIND DATES THAT WORK FOR YOU?

FOR TAILORMADE ADVENTURES CALL 1300 130 218 OR

Blog: Dispatches from exotic lands

Icon

begin your journey now

Take advantage of our highly personalised advice, inspiration and experience