Bigger is better? Not so fast. Collette’s Explorations small tours flip the popular saying on its head.

Explorations tours are specifically designed with small groups in mind—never adapted from larger itineraries. This allows for the curation of tours that foster deep cultural connections, provide free time to explore, and offer access to places that are often difficult for larger groups to reach. From off-the-beaten path journeys to a more nuanced understanding of popular landmarks, Explorations prioritizes meaningful experiences and authentic engagement.

Travelers will spend more time getting to know each destination on a deeper level, with an average stay of nearly three nights per location. And the camaraderie is simply unmatched. With small groups, guests get to know each other intimately, form lifelong bonds, and extract more meaning from their shared experiences. So, no, bigger isn’t always better, and Collette proves it every time.

What’s more coveted than a once-in-a-lifetime African safari?

On the African Safari: Kenya and Tanzia exploration, Collette leads intrepid guests on seven lively game drives for lucky glimpses of Africa’s “Big 5” (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo). Guests will also spend time at the famous farmhouse from Out of Africa and enjoy the singular experience of giraffes eating directly out of outstretched palms. Fun fact: They only sleep between 10 minutes to two hours per day. Kenya and Tanzania aren’t only known for their legendary wildlife, however; guests will also have the opportunity to connect with locals at a bead factory that employs and trains single mothers as jewelry artisans and visit native communities at Lake Eyasi.

This tour includes six handpicked accommodations, including a three-night stay on the legendary Serengeti, and 38 delicious meals. Animal lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those who are endlessly fascinated by other cultures will come away from this trip feeling awestruck and humbled.

The world’s most popular eco-destination, Costa Rica offers a glimpse into a barely touched nature that is the closest thing to heaven on earth.

The white sandy beaches, cerulean waters, breathtaking cloud forests, and exotic wildlife underscore the magnificent beauty of our precious planet. Collette invites guests to tap into the part of them that thrives on adventure and explore Arenal Volcano in all its towering wonder, then seek tranquility on a boat ride down the Peñas Blancas River as animals like sloths, river turtles, and crocodiles (!) go about their day. You may also encounter red-eyed tree frogs, ocelots, and the wondrous pink and blue Roseate Spoonbills—creatures that are a testament to nature’s creativity.

In San Jose, Costa Rica’s colorful capital, travelers will see a different side to this bountiful country, including a mix of modern and colonial architecture, incredible indigenous artwork displayed in fair trade galleries, and museums offering a look at pre-Colombian history, stunning works by Costa Rican artists, and reconstructed dinosaur skeletons.