Small GroupKenya
The Mara & Amboseli Circuit
From the Mara's migration plains to the shadow of Kilimanjaro in Amboseli — two of East Africa's defining landscapes in a single, well-paced journey.
From$8,900 pp
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Journeys · Small Group
Safari in good company. Properly small.
Kenya · Tanzania · Rwanda · Capped at 10 Guests · Fixed Departures
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From
$8,900 pp sharing
Group Size
Max. 10 Guests
Best Season
Year-Round
Journey Length
9–15 Days
Travel Style
Private Charter
Overview
The intimacy of a private safari. The ease of joining one.
Our small group journeys are built for travellers who want the quality of a bespoke safari without organising it alone. Each departure is capped at ten guests, travels by private bush charter and stays in the same flagship lodges our tailor-made clients use — the difference is a shared cost and a ready-made group of like-minded people to share a sundowner with.
Every departure is led by a dedicated Damon Quest safari host — someone who knows the route, the camps and every ranger by first name. You arrive; they handle everything else.
Why Small Group
What makes ten guests the right number.
The guest count is not a commercial choice. It is a considered one — shaped by what works in the bush, what is acceptable at a remote camp, and what makes the difference between a group and a crowd.
01
Exclusive vehicle per departure
Your group travels in its own dedicated 4×4 safari vehicle — no mixing with other guests, no compromises on pace or direction.
02
A dedicated safari host
One Damon Quest host travels with you door to door — managing logistics, handling the unexpected and enriching every game drive with depth of knowledge.
03
Private charter throughout
All inter-camp transfers travel by private light aircraft. No shared shuttles, no waiting on other operators' schedules.
04
Flagship lodges only
Every camp is handpicked for position, cuisine and service — the kind of properties that are booked a year in advance by independent travellers.
05
Like-minded company
We screen enquiries carefully. Every departure is shaped so guests share a similar pace, curiosity and appetite for the experience.
06
The price of quality, shared
A small group journey unlocks a standard of travel that most people associate only with fully private safaris — at a meaningfully lower cost per person.
What's Included
Everything that matters. Nothing that doesn't.
Included
- All accommodation on a full-board basis
- Private charter flights between destinations
- All game drives in a dedicated 4×4 vehicle
- Gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits (Rwanda/Uganda routes)
- Dedicated Damon Quest safari host throughout
- Local park and conservancy fees
- Emergency medical evacuation cover
- Pre-departure trip briefing and planning call
Not Included
- International flights to and from Nairobi or Kigali
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (we will recommend a provider)
- Personal spending, tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions not on the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages above house selection
Worth Noting
- Departures run with a minimum of 4 guests confirmed
- Single supplement applies for solo travellers
- Dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice
- All departures come with a written full-day itinerary
- Amendments possible up to 90 days prior
Featured Departures
Three routes. All flagship.
Small GroupTanzania
The Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Tarangire's baobab-filled landscape, the Serengeti's open plains and a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater — Tanzania at its most complete.
From$11,400 pp
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Small GroupMulti-Country
Gorillas, Plains & the Indian Ocean
Begin with gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, move to the Mara for the migration, and close with three nights on the Kenyan coast. The definitive East Africa journey.
From$18,700 pp
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Departure dates confirmed six months in advance. Enquire early — most departures are fully reserved within three months of opening.
Request a Full Departure Calendar →How It Works
From enquiry to the first game drive.
I
Choose a departure
Browse the routes above or contact us for a full departure calendar. Tell us which journey interests you and your preferred dates.
II
Reserve your place
A deposit secures your seats. We confirm your place in writing within 24 hours and introduce you to your dedicated safari host.
III
We handle the rest
Full pre-departure briefing, visa guidance, packing advice and a direct line to your host throughout the planning period.
IV
Arrive. Your journey begins.
Your host meets you at the airport. From that moment, every detail — transfers, check-ins, game drives, permits — is managed for you.
Traveller Voices
From guests who joined a departure.
★★★★★
"I was hesitant about joining a group departure — I'd always travelled independently. By day two, I couldn't imagine having done it any other way. The host knew when to give us space and when to add something special."
★★★★★
"Ten guests felt like four. We ended up sharing long dinners under canvas with people we'd have never met otherwise — and the wildlife was extraordinary. The private aircraft transfers made everything feel seamless."
★★★★★
"Our host had been on the route twenty times and still found things to show us that felt entirely fresh. The gorilla trekking permit alone was worth the journey — but the host turned it into something genuinely moving."
When to Go
Every month has something worth travelling for.
East Africa's calendar is layered — the Mara's migration peaks July to October, the Serengeti calving season runs January to March, and Rwanda's gorillas are accessible year-round. We design departures to make the most of each window.
Months
Highlight
Best Destination
Jan – Mar
Serengeti calving season — vast wildebeest herds and prolific predator activity on the short grass plains
Tanzania
Apr – Jun
Long rains bring lush landscapes and outstanding birdlife; fewer visitors on the ground and lower camp rates
Kenya · Rwanda
Jul – Oct
The Great Migration river crossings — the most dramatic wildlife spectacle in East Africa
Kenya · Tanzania
Nov – Dec
Short rains refresh the plains; excellent game viewing and genuinely uncrowded camps
Kenya · Tanzania · Rwanda
Questions
What travellers tend to ask.
Is a small group journey suitable for solo travellers?
Yes — solo guests are very welcome on all our departures. A single supplement applies for sole occupancy of a room. If you'd prefer to be paired with a same-gender roommate to avoid the supplement, let us know when enquiring and we will do our best to facilitate this.
How does the group dynamic work across different nationalities?
Our departures draw guests from the UK, North America, Australia and Europe. A shared interest in wildlife and a similar travel style matters far more than nationality. All journeys are conducted in English; your host will handle any language logistics on the ground.
What happens if a departure doesn't reach the minimum guest count?
Departures are confirmed at a minimum of four guests. In the rare event a departure does not reach that threshold, we will offer you a full refund, a transfer to the next available departure, or the option to convert to a private tailor-made journey at a supplementary cost.
Can I extend my small group journey with a tailor-made addition?
Absolutely. Many guests combine a group departure with a private extension — a beach stay in Zanzibar or Diani, an extra night at a specific lodge, or a different country entirely. Our team will design the extension to connect seamlessly with the group itinerary.
What fitness level is required?
Standard safari departures require only a comfortable level of mobility — game drives are conducted from a vehicle and lodge walks are entirely optional. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking involves a moderate to strenuous uphill hike of two to five hours. We will advise you on route-specific requirements when you enquire.
How do I pay and what is the cancellation policy?
A 30% deposit confirms your place on departure. The balance is due 90 days before travel. Cancellations made more than 90 days prior to departure receive a full refund of the deposit. Within 90 days, a graduated scale applies — full details are provided in your booking documentation.
Still have a question? Our team is based in Nairobi and responds within 24 hours.
Get in Touch →Also Consider
Other ways to travel with us.
Reserve Your Place
The next departure has a seat for you.
Spaces on small group journeys are limited by design. Enquire now and we'll send you a full departure calendar with availability.