Two safari vehicles in the Serengeti — a group of travellers sharing the wildlife experience

Shared Safari, Better Value

Tanzania Safari Group Departures

The most affordable way to see Tanzania's wildlife: join a scheduled departure with fellow travellers. Fixed dates, transparent pricing, expert guides.

How group safaris work

The best safaris are shared

A Tanzania safari is inherently social. You sit around the same table, share the same sightings, watch the same sunrises over the Serengeti. The wildlife experience is more vivid when you have someone to share it with.

A group departure makes this accessible: instead of chartering a private vehicle, you share the costs with other travellers. The result is a safari that costs $1,200-2,500 per person for 4-10 days — including accommodation, park fees, meals, and a guide — instead of $3,000-6,000 for the same experience privately.

We have been running scheduled group departures since 1978. We know how to match compatible travellers, pace the itinerary for group dynamics, and create the conditions for extraordinary shared wildlife experiences.

Choosing your format

Group, private, or small group — which is right for you?

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Scheduled Group Safari

A pre-planned safari with fixed departure dates, shared between 4-12 travellers. You join an existing group; we handle the logistics. The most affordable way to experience Tanzania's parks.

Best for: Solo travellers, couples, friends who want company, budget-conscious groups

Typical cost: $180-350/person/day

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Private Safari

Your own vehicle, your own guide, your own pace. We design the itinerary around you. More expensive per person, but the flexibility and personalised attention are worth it for many travellers.

Best for: Families, anniversaries, special occasions, travellers with specific requirements

Typical cost: $350-800+/person/day

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Small Group Adventure

A curated group of 6-10 travellers with a focus on shared experience. Not just a shared vehicle — a social journey with like-minded people. Often includes a teaching element from the guide.

Best for: Photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, active seniors, repeat safari-goers

Typical cost: $250-450/person/day

Simple process

How a group departure works

1

Choose your departure date

We publish fixed departure dates 3-6 months in advance. Select a date that works for your schedule and check availability. Most departures need a minimum of 4 passengers to run.

2

We match you with your group

We combine individual bookings to create cohesive groups. Couples and friends who book together are never split. Solo travellers are matched with compatible companions of the same gender in shared accommodation.

3

We send your pre-departure guide

Once your group is confirmed, you receive our comprehensive pre-departure guide: packing list, visa information, medical advice, what to expect, and contact details for your guide.

4

You arrive — we take over

We meet you at Kilimanjaro Airport. From that moment, everything is arranged: transport, lodges, park fees, game drives, meals. You carry a daypack. Everything else is handled.

Departure itineraries

Scheduled group safari itineraries

4 Days

4-8 passengers

Northern Circuit Express

The essential Tanzania experience: Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. Perfect for those with limited time or a tight budget. Two full days of game driving.

Ngorongoro CraterTarangire National Park4-star lodges

From $1,200/person

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6 Days

4-10 passengers

Classic Northern Circuit

The definitive Tanzania safari: Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Tarangire. This is the itinerary that made Tanzania famous. Well-paced, comfortable, and comprehensive.

Ngorongoro CraterSerengeti National ParkCentral Serengeti camp

From $1,800/person

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7 Days

4-10 passengers

Serengeti & Migration

Six days of game driving including extended time in the Serengeti. Ideal for finding the Migration herds and enjoying the park without rushing. The most popular departure itinerary.

Full-day Serengeti game drivesMigration trackingSundowner at the crater rim

From $2,200/person

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10 Days

4-8 passengers

Northern Circuit Extended

The complete Northern Circuit with extra time in each park. Includes Lake Manyara and a rest day at a luxury Ngorongoro rim lodge. For those who want everything.

All five Northern Circuit parksCrater rim dinnerZanzibar beach extension option

From $3,200/person

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What is included

  • All park entry fees and Ngorongoro Crater fees
  • All accommodation (shared twin rooms — single supplement available)
  • All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • All game drives in a custom 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-top roof
  • A certified Tanzania guide for the duration
  • Airport transfers to and from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Bottled water during all game drives
  • All taxes and government levies

What is not included

  • International flights to/from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Visa fees (Tanzania tourist visa: $50-100 depending on nationality)
  • Travel insurance (required — we can recommend providers)
  • Tips for your guide (budget $20-30/day per person as a guideline)
  • Personal purchases (souvenirs, drinks beyond what is provided)
  • Premium alcoholic beverages at lodges
  • Any optional activities not on the itinerary
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (required if arriving from a yellow fever country)

Questions

Group Safari Departures — Frequently Asked

What is the minimum group size for a scheduled departure?
Most scheduled departures run with a minimum of 4 passengers and a maximum of 10. If we do not reach the minimum by 14 days before departure, we offer you the choice of moving to the next available date with space, upgrading to a private safari at a reduced supplement, or receiving a full refund. In practice, most departures run with 6-8 passengers — popular enough to run, intimate enough to feel personal.
Can I book as a solo traveller?
Yes — and solo travellers are among our most consistent guests. We never charge a forced single supplement for group departures if we can match you with a same-gender roommate. If you prefer single accommodation, a single supplement is available on all itineraries (typically $30-60/night depending on the lodge). Solo travellers often tell us the group safari format is ideal — you get the social experience without the commitment of planning with friends.
How are rooms allocated?
Twins are standard in group safaris: two people per room, each with their own bed. If you are travelling with a partner, friend, or family member, you share a room. Solo travellers are paired with a same-gender roommate unless a single supplement is requested. We never pair adults with children in shared accommodation.
What is the typical demographic of a group safari?
Group safaris attract a wide range of ages and nationalities. Our most common guests are solo travellers aged 45-70, couples whose friends are not available, and small groups of friends who want a guided experience without the logistics. The average age varies by departure — some skew younger (30s-40s), others skew more senior. We try to match compatible guests but cannot guarantee age demographics. If you have specific preferences, contact us before booking.
Can I customise a group departure?
The itineraries are fixed for group departures — this is how we keep costs low. However, you can arrive early or extend after the safari at your own cost (we can arrange this). If you want to modify the itinerary (add a rest day, skip a park, add Zanzibar), upgrading to a private safari is the better option. Group departures work best when you embrace the shared experience rather than trying to modify it.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Our cancellation policy is: 30+ days before departure — full refund minus processing fee. 15-29 days — 50% refund. 14 days or less — no refund (the lodge deposits are non-refundable at that point). We strongly recommend travel insurance with cancellation coverage at the time of booking. We have seen flights get cancelled, visas get rejected, and family emergencies occur — travel insurance is the financial protection that makes these situations manageable rather than catastrophic.
Is a Tanzania group safari safe?
Yes — Tanzania is a stable country with well-established tourism infrastructure. Our vehicles are maintained to high standards, our guides are trained in wildlife safety protocols, and all lodges are vetted for security. The group format adds an additional safety layer — you are never alone in an emergency. Tanzania's main safety consideration is the same as any safari destination: wildlife is wild, and following your guide's instructions is non-negotiable.
How do I get to Tanzania for a group safari?
International flights to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) are available via Doha (Qatar Airways), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), and Nairobi (Kenya Airways, Precision Air). We handle all in-country transport — your only flight to arrange is your international ticket to JRO. Airport transfers are included in all group departure packages. We send detailed flight and transfer instructions with the pre-departure guide.

Ready to join a group safari departure?

Tell us which itinerary interests you, your preferred dates, and how many travellers you are. We will check availability and get back to you within 24 hours.