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African Group Safaris & Tours
Signing up to an African safari group tour is one of the most popular ways to go on safari. Having an expert plan the nitty-gritty of your safari package for you saves time and hassle. It means all you have to do is read up on African wildlife and hop on a plane. A small group tour can be a great way to see Africa. Special interest group trips, such as bird watching, conservation or big cats, are recommended. A special interest trip will put you in a group with like-minded people, and the guide will be an expert. Before jumping into a group safari though, there are a few things to consider.
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5-Day Exclusive Kruger & Private Game Reserve Experience
$1,670 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)LuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Nelspruit (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.8/5 – 95 Reviews
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4-Day Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro
$1,428 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented Bush CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Januz Safaris
4.9/5 – 28 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
6-Day Iconic Budget Kenya Classic Safari on Landcruiser
$902 to $1,155 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Lenchada Safaris
4.9/5 – 731 Reviews
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7-Day Masai Mara Lake Nakuru Amboseli Kenya Budget Tour
$800 to $1,045 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.3/5 – 77 Reviews
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Best Seller
4-Day Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari - Shared Jeep Tour
$660 to $836 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Wild Race Africa
4.6/5 – 69 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Masai Mara Budget Group Joining Safari
$352 to $572 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Karibu Safaris In Kenya
4.8/5 – 1351 Reviews
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13-Day Grand Tour Zimbabwe in Pop-Roof Game Viewer + Chef
$6,454 pp (USD)
Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping
You Visit: Harare (Start), Mana Pools NP, Chitake Springs (Mana Pools NP), Marongora (Town), Chizarira NP, Hwange NP, Victoria Falls (End)
Mana Pools Tourism Services
5.0/5 – 31 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Masai Mara-Naivasha-Nakuru-Amboseli Budget Tour
$770 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Top Cream Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 56 Reviews
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5-Day Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Masai Safari
$1,375 to $1,540 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Madukha Tours and Safaris
4.7/5 – 27 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Mid-Range Lodge Group Tour
$1,485 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented Bush CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Suricata Safaris
5.0/5 – 1945 Reviews
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3-Day Essence of the Kruger Safari
$657 pp (USD)
South Africa: Shared tour (max 13 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Greater Kruger, Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route), Johannesburg (End)
Explore Kruger Park
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
12-Day Wildlife and Conservation Experience in Zimbabwe
$14,900 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesZimbabwe: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Tented Camp & Guest HouseYou Visit: Victoria Falls (Start), Hwange NP, Victoria Falls town (Victoria Falls), Mana Pools NP, Harare Airport (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 149 Reviews
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6-Day Let's Go Masai Mara Nakuru and Amboseli in a Group
$880 to $1,100 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Jungleroam Safaris
4.9/5 – 18 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day 3 Nights Masai Mara Only
$528 to $880 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Jocky Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 1309 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
5-Day Wander Rush Group Safari
$1,529 to $2,197 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesKenya: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Mufasa Tours and Travels
4.9/5 – 385 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Mara Chui Resort Joining Group
$495 to $748 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Axis Africa Expedition & Safaris
4.9/5 – 1090 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Mara River Crossing Migration Safari
$3,357 to $3,520 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Northern Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Arusha (End)
Benson Safaris Tanzania
4.8/5 – 219 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara 4 X 4 Land Cruiser Group Joining Safari
$371 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
African Vulture Safaris
4.9/5 – 46 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
4-Day Kruger Park Safari with Wild Wings
$904 to $958 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesSouth Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle)
Mid-range You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)
Wild Wings Safaris
5.0/5 – 206 Reviews
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19-Day Wildebeest Safari - the Western Circuit
$4,519 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesZambia: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Lusaka (Start), Kafue NP, Mongu (City), Liuwa Plain NP, Ngonye Falls (Highlight), Livingstone (City), Mosi-oa-Tunya NP, Lusaka (End)
Zamsato
4.9/5 – 28 Reviews
6 Questions About Group Safari Tours
Answered by
Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler is a travel writer, photographer and author of many guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Bradt, including guides to Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania. Over the past 25 years he has traveled widely in Africa and spends considerable time there each year on group safaris.› More about Stuart
6 Questions About Group Safari Tours
Why should I choose an African group safari?
“The simple answer is cost. A group safari invariably costs less than a private safari of the same quality. However, there are other reasons. If you’re the type of a traveler who likes to make new friends on holiday, a group safari is the obvious way to go. There are also many specialized or expert-led group safari trips available. These allow you to have experiences that you wouldn’t have on a private safari. For example, a safari led by a renowned elephant or big cat expert will bring knowledge and add depth to your safari. There are also group safaris based on specific activities, such as birding. A small-group safari tour can be ideal for the single traveler who’d rather not travel alone.”
1How is a group safari different from a private safari?
“As you might expect on a group safari, your schedule is largely fixed. Any minor changes are made at the request of the whole group. In most cases this isn’t likely to be much of a problem. What can be more problematic though is sorting out priorities when on a game drive. For example, if you’re a keen birder but the rest of your group is only interested in the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino). Or the whole group might be interested in seeing an elephant, but some want to stay longer while others are happy just taking a quick snapshot. Being on a group safari doesn’t mean that you’re going to spend 24 hours a day with the same people. Most likely you’ll only be together when on safari or traveling to and from a park. In the camp, you’ll be left to your own devices. The advantage of a private safari is that you’ll make all your own decisions on schedules and safari details. However, you’re going to pay much more for the pleasure.”
2What is the typical size of a group on a shared trip?
“On a budget safari there can be up to 10 people in the vehicle, which can detract from the wildlife-viewing experience. If you’ve signed up to a multicountry overland tour in a specially designed bus, you should check the max number of people they will fit into the bus. Note though, in many parks and reserves these kind of vehicles are banned. If you’re on a mid-range group safari, there will likely be between four and six people in the group. On a high-end safari, there isn’t much difference between a group safari and a private safari.”
3What happens if I sign-up for a group tour but it doesn't attract enough people?
“Every company will have its own terms and conditions. You should check these carefully before signing up. Reputable companies will try and make satisfactory alternative arrangements for you. This most likely means altering the route somewhat to be able to merge two small groups into one. Otherwise you’ll be given the options of paying a bit more for the tour operator to run the safari as advertised or canceling and getting a full reimbursement. Reimbursements don’t include any flights purchased. Or, alternative travel dates might be offered. Make sure you read the fine print and ask if anything is unclear or missing. Always choose your operator carefully. Reading recent reviews can be useful.”
4What type of vehicles can I expect?
“This depends on how much you pay for a safari. On a budget safari, you’ll most likely end up in a minibus with a pop-top roof. This isn’t ideal. In these vehicles, windows don’t always open fully. If the vehicle is full, not everyone will even get a window seat. This means that most of the time you’ll have to make do with standing and peering out of the open roof. This doesn’t give the best perspective of the animals, and it can still mean limited space for each safari-goer. At the opposite end, on a high-cost luxury group safari you’ll be in a long-wheel-base 4x4 customized for safaris. It will be an open-sided vehicle, and the number of people in the vehicle will be kept to a minimum. This means that whichever side of the vehicle an animal is, you will have a front-seat view. These vehicles often also have camera platforms or beanbags. They also have extra suspension, making for a generally smooth ride on the bumpy roads.”
5What should I consider when choosing an African group tour?
“Does the tour visit all the parks and reserves you want to visit? This is the first thing you should look at when considering a group safari. If you have dreams of seeing the Serengeti–Mara wildebeest migration, there’s no point booking a group safari that doesn’t visit the Serengeti or Masai Mara. Also make sure you’re in the right part of the park at the right time of year. Ensure the tour doesn’t visit too many parks and reserves. If it sounds rushed on paper, then it will be hectic when you hit the ground. Many group safaris try and cram in too much in too short a time. The result is that you spend more time traveling to and from parks than on safari. Another very important point is to check the type of vehicle used and how many other people will be in your group. The smaller the overall group size the better. Consider if you have a special interest that might not be compatible with a group tour. For example, if you’re a birdwatcher or a serious photographer, look for a specialist tour dedicated to your interest.”
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