Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour of Africa. Featuring exhilarating game drives through grasslands, woodlands, and swamplands—plus distinctive safari lodges and tented camps that blend into the living landscape, this Africa vacation was designed for those who like to take a walk—or a nap—on the wild side. Game drives through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Serengeti National Parks—as well as the vast, volcanic Ngorongoro Crater—offer an opportunity for up-close views of the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo) as well as countless other majestic creatures. As you explore these mesmerizing parks, prepare to see zebra grazing, hippo bathing, elephants trumpeting and, if luck is on your side, cheetah sprinting. Marvel at Maasai Warriors jumping in celebration of life. There’s lots to fall in love with on this timeless Tanzania safari, including morning mimosas and sundowner drinks in the bush to quench your thirst for knowledge and adventure. A Small Group Discovery tour for the wild at heart!
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Designed from the ground up for a maximum of 24 guests in Africa, this Small Group Discovery tour has everything you need to explore with up-close-and-exclusive experiences that go beyond traditional tours.We’ve packed everything you need for an amazing adventure—from hand-selected safari lodges and tented camps to friendly Globus Tour Directors and expert Driver/Guides, and seamless transportation between destinations including intra-vacation flights. 4-wheel-drive safari vehicles are equipped with a pop-up roof for unfettered game viewing and photography. Plus, each vehicle is limited to just six guests, so you’ll always have a window seat on safari! This tour offers a great opportunity to witness the Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope—the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your GlobusGO mobile app!
Notes: The Great Migration is a natural event with herds typically in the Serengeti from late November to July. 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. 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.
Your Small Group Discovery tour begins!
Welcome to Arusha, gateway to your dream safari. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in
Day 2 ARUSHA–TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Ancient Baobabs Await
Drive to Tarangire National Park, where baobab and acacia trees dot the landscape. The Tarangire
River provides the park a permanent water source, which makes for year-round game viewing. This is highlighted by a large population of elephants. After lunch at your lodge embark on your first exciting game drive.
(B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT The Tarangire River is the life blood of its namesake national park, providing life-giving refuge for the largest elephant population in North Tanzania. During the dry season, a menagerie of animals in a myriad of shapes and sizes are drawn to this only permanent water supply where thirsty elephant, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and gazelle file in great numbers to the riverbanks, followed by hungry hunters like lion and leopard as well BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 3 TARANGIRE
Tantalizing Tarangire
Rise early for a morning game drive including an exclusive [LF] bush breakfast. Be sure to watch for giraffe, zebra, Cape buffalo, and much more. Free time at your lodge before an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE As part of your morning game drive, you’ll be treated to a classic safari tradition of the bush breakfast in Africa’s unmatched landscapes. Reminisce about Africa’s early explorers as you sip mimosas in pampered style in the heart of the wild BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4 TARANGIRE–LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Forest Foray & Views on Views
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and the alkaline Lake Manyara. The park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of baboon. Watch for these mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your afternoon game drive. Sundowner drinks are served at a scenic viewpoint.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE This evening, as the sun sets, savor a memorable happy hour in the bush with your small group to enjoy spectacular views over Lake Manyara! 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 BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5 LAKE MANYARA–KARATU–NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Through Farmlands to the Craters Edge
Free time this morning before a short drive to Karatu, where coffee farms dot the outer slopes of Ngorongoron Crater. Here, visit a [LF] local primary school followed by BBQ lunch at beautiful Gibb’s Farm. Continue to your lodge located on the rim of the crater.
(B,L,D)
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.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXLCUSIVE Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch amid the graceful landscapes of Tanzania’s Gibbs Farm. Here, healthy farm cuisine is prepared fresh daily with organic farm-to-table recipes using the farm’s fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are freshly picked from organic gardens, with meats sourced from local, sustainably-raised farms. Sure to satisfy the big appetites of your small group! BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6 NGORONGORO
Into Africa’s Eden
Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is technically a caldera—the world’s largest unflooded one, at 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, affording the opportunity to see lion, hyena, hippo, elephant, as well as the best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros. Enjoy an exclusive [LF] bush lunch served in the crater.
(B,L,D)
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 BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7 NGORONGORO–SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
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 followed by an afternoon game drive.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A WILD AFTERNOON Your afternoon game drive offers 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. With some luck you may even spot something much rarer, like a caracal, a beautiful cat with distinctive ears.
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 BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 8 SERENGETI
Serengeti Serendipity
Continue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, the Serengeti is great for game viewing year round. Tonight, join a [LF] farewell dinner in the bush featuring a traditional Maasai dance performance.
(B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE The Maasai people bring a history of rich culture tied to this wilderness known as the Cradle of Life. Your special farewell dinner in the bush includes a traditional Maasai dance performance celebrating their ancient culture woven amid the majestic wildlife and nature. The perfect ending to a spectacular safari small group adventure! BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 9 SERENGETI–ARUSHA
A Serengeti Send Off
Embark on a final game drive before flying back to Arusha, where a day room is reserved at the Mount Meru Hotel for your convenience. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm.
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Accommodations
Arusha
Tarangire National Park Area
Lake Manyara National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park
Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa First-Class
Arusha Tanzania
Designed to echo the traditional style of the colonial coffee farm, which originally stood on this site, Arusha Serena Hotel offers a range of tastefully presented cottage-styled rooms set amid extensive landscaped grounds.
Electricity is provided 24 hours a day.
Tarangire Sopa Lodge First-Class
Tarangire National Park Tanzania
Hidden among the kopjes, lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge, surrounded by ancient baobab trees. It is the home of the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive leopard. Over 400 bird species can be spotted here as well. With water constantly available in the area, the greenery is lush providing a wonderful contrast to the burnt ground.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge First-Class
Lake Manyara National Park Area Lake Manyara National Park Area Tanzania
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 Serena Safari Lodge First-Class
Ngorongoro Crater Rim Ngorongoro Conservation Area Tanzania
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.
Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp Superior First-Class
Serengeti National Park Serengeti National Park Tanzania
"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."
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.