If you’re considering a small group tour in Africa and want something that strikes the right balance between adventure, value, and genuine insight, Drifters Tours is a top choice. These aren’t your typical sightseeing trips, but off-the-beaten-path journeys led by some of the best guides in the business. What we love about Drifters is the variety of experiences on offer. Whether you’re keen to camp under the stars or prefer the comfort of a hot shower and a soft bed, there’s a Drifters adventure to suit.
The best part? We’ve experienced them ourselves so we’re speaking (or rather, writing) from first-hand knowledge.
Here’s everything you need to know to find the Drifters tour style that’s right for you.
Drifters have been running small group safaris across Africa since 1983, and there's a reason they've withstood the test of time while so many others have come and gone. They offer excellent value, well-designed itineraries, and a style of travel that feels authentic without being over the top. If you want to see Africa properly, not just skim through it, this is a fantastic place to start.
One of the biggest draws of Drifters adventures is the vehicles, which we think are perfect for Africa small group tours. Drifters use custom-built safari trucks and 4x4s that have been fine-tuned over decades. Every detail is designed for life on the road, from forward-facing recliner seats with big windows for optimal wildlife spotting to built-in masterchef kitchens and secure lockers. Before each trip, the trucks are fully serviced and resupplied, so things run smoothly from day one.
Drifters also own and operate all their own infrastructure, from vehicles and boats to canoes, tents, and adventure gear. It means every element of the trip is handled in-house, with no outsourcing or surprises. Add to that excellent logistics and backup support across all areas of operation, and you’ve got a level of reliability that’s hard to beat.
“From the moment you meet your crew and see the truck, and gear, you know you’re in the hands of an outfitter who truly knows what they’re doing.” – Rachel, Viva Expeditions’ Founder.
Custom-built for comfort, dust, and dirt roads, these trucks are made for real African travel.
Then there are the guides. Ask anyone who's been on a Drifters tour, and they will probably mention the guides even before the vehicles. As with all exceptional tour leaders, Drifters guides are not just drivers or information providers but hosts, problem solvers, bush cooks, and walking encyclopedias of wildlife, history, and culture.
As Tanya, our Africa Product Manager, said, “Drifters has long been respected in the industry for having some of the best guides in Africa. They know how to create a proper travel experience that goes beyond the brochure.”
Not just guides, but storytellers, problem solvers, and the heartbeat of every Drifters journey.
Another reason we like Drifters is the mix of people they attract. Due to the very authentic nature of their tours, they draw down-to-earth travellers who are curious, open-minded, and keen to get stuck in. It makes for instant good company on the road, no matter if you are travelling solo or with a friend.
As Rachel aptly put it after her trip, “I recently had the pleasure of experiencing one of Drifters' Pioneer style tours in Botswana. I loved the feeling of camping in such a wild and remote place. It felt like a true adventure, and I felt at one with nature, particularly when a herd of elephants passed right by our camp.”
Drifters Tours are not one-size-fits-all. You might be a rough-it-and-love-it type, or prefer a few creature comforts, or perhaps want something more curated and relaxed. Adventure seekers come in all styles and preferences, and there's a Drifters style that will work for you.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you figure out which kind of Drifters adventure suits your travel personality.
If you want to go deep into the wilderness, sleep under canvas, and feel like part of the action, Pioneer Tours are the most adventurous of the lot. You travel in a custom-built safari truck with up to 16 fellow travellers and two professional guides. These are fully immersive tours, so you'll help set up camp, cook meals together, and get stuck into life on the road.
Drifters tours open air ensuite Africa, home of the original open-air ensuite. All part of the adventure, 5-star views, zero plumbing!
This specific style is not about luxury, but about being part of something real. You’ll wake up to the sounds of nature, go hiking in remote landscapes, and fall asleep under star-filled skies. It is ideal for those who enjoy shared experiences and aren’t afraid of a little dust and effort along the way. As Rachel shared, having elephants stroll through camp in Botswana was unforgettable. On these hands-on tours, encounters like that are not uncommon.
Pioneer Tour delivers dusty boots, a camera full of animal shots, and the feeling that you truly lived your journey.
Explorer Tours are great for travellers who want to go off the beaten path but still sleep in a bed and have a proper bathroom at the end of each day. You get the same adventurous spirit as the Pioneer tours, with visits to national parks, local villages, and remote spots way, but with more comfort.
Instead of camping, you’ll stay in lodges or guesthouses—always clean, comfortable, and well located. There’s no need to help with cooking or chores, though you’re welcome to join in if you like. Group sizes are capped at 16, and the pace is relaxed, giving you time to soak it all in. It’s a popular style for those who want a real African journey without roughing it.
For those who want an easygoing trip with small groups and well-chosen stays, Traveller Tours is the most relaxed option. You travel in a comfortable Quantum or Land Cruiser with no more than eight guests, so the experience feels even more personal from the start.
Accommodation is a step up, the pace is still relaxed, and the activities are more about discovery than physical challenge. It is a perfect fit for couples, older travellers, or anyone who prefers their adventure with a little extra cushioning. There is no participation required and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and cultural highlights.
Traveller Tours are all about small groups, handpicked stays, and Africa at a gentler pace, with no set-up and no stress.
“For us at Viva, it all comes down to trust. We trust Drifters to deliver the kind of journey we’d take ourselves and recommend to friends. They know Africa inside out, and they know how to help travellers experience it in a way that feels honest, grounded and unforgettable.” – Rachel, Viva Expeditions
No matter which style of Drifters tour you choose, one thing stays consistent: this is Africa as it should be experienced. There’s an honesty to these tours; you’re not being whisked from lodge to lodge behind a pane of glass. You are out there, feeling the heat, swatting the flies, seeing the stars, and having conversations around the campfire with people who started as strangers and often end up as travel mates for life.
A typical day might start early, especially if you are heading out on a game drive. Morning light is often the best for wildlife viewing, anyway, and there is something special about watching the sun rise over the savannah. You’ll spend much of your time out and about spotting elephants, walking with guides, paddling down waterways, or winding through quiet villages that never make it into the glossy brochures.
There is usually a set rhythm to the days, with activities planned in the morning, travel or rest in the midday heat, and something special in the afternoon or evening. If you are on a camping tour, you’ll be part of camp life. That means helping chop veggies or wash dishes, but it also means learning to make dinner over a fire, and sitting out under a sky full of stars, listening to hyenas call in the distance.
If you’re on an accommodated tour, the rhythm is a little easier. You still have the excitement of the journey, but with the comfort of a bed, hot showers, and someone else doing the logistics behind the scenes. Either way, it’s a shared and very unique experience. You’re in it together, and that makes the memories more meaningful.
As Beke from our team puts it, “Drifters tours just feel different. There’s a level of trust between guide and group, a sense that you’re really part of the trip, not just watching it unfold from a distance. It’s what keeps people coming back."
“For those who crave deeper connection, wild landscapes, authentic encounters and the road less travelled — Drifters offers more than just a holiday. It’s an unforgettable journey through the heart of Africa, guided by passionate experts, shared with like-minded adventurers, and rooted in sustainability, exploration, and the spirit of true discovery.” – Ken Hill, Drifters CEO.
Let Us Help You Choose
Still not sure which tour is the best fit? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Our Africa team has first-hand experience with Drifters adventures and can talk you through the options based on what kind of trip you’re after, how much time you have, and what level of comfort feels right.
Tanya, our Africa Product Manager, has worked closely with Drifters for years and has seen how their approach delivers not just great value, but genuinely memorable journeys. Rachel and Beke have both travelled with Drifters and know what it feels like to be in the back of the truck, on a dusty road, heading somewhere unforgettable. Actually, Rachel used to drive expedition trucks in Africa, so she can provide even more insight than usual.
If we’ve tickled your interest, explore our handpicked selection of Drifters Tours, which includes some of the most popular small group trips through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and beyond.
Or, get in touch for a chat and we’ll guide you through it.
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Laura PattaraLaura Pattara has guided overland trips across Africa and now focuses her writing on the continent for Viva Expeditions. She once camped beneath a marula tree that an elephant tore apart during the night, yet somehow she still sleeps best in a tent. But make it glam! From sunrise balloon rides over the Serengeti to following the rhythms of wildlife migrations, Laura brings the wild heart of Africa to life with warmth, depth, and the occasional muddy boot. |
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Drifters Tours: Africa Safaris in Southern & East Africa using state-of-the-art vehicles and offering both camping and accommodated small group tours.
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Drifters Tours: Africa Safaris in Southern & East Africa using state-of-the-art vehicles and offering both camping and accommodated small group tours.
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