Botswana Family Safaris

A family holiday is more than just time away – it’s a chance to truly reconnect. And a Botswana family safari doesn’t just add a “wow” factor; it offers a whole new way for your family to see the world.

Botswana is built for this. It’s safe, welcoming, and teeming with life, from the famous elephants of Chobe to big cats waiting patiently in the sun. Don’t worry about shorter attention spans; the sheer drama and variety here keep children spellbound.

Imagine waking to the gentle splash of water in the Okavango Delta or watching the sun set over the stark, arid beauty of the Kalahari Desert. These are the moments safaris are made for.

Let’s start crafting that chapter now. Don’t put off the adventure for “when they’re older” – the memories you make today are the ones they’ll carry forever.

Why Should You Go on a Botswana Family Holiday?

Incredible Wildlife

Conservation has always been the core of Botswana’s tourism, with low environmental impact. This can be seen in the sheer number and diversity of wildlife, from lion prides and elephant herds to towering giraffes and hunting packs of wild dogs. On birdwatchers’ most sought-after lists are the elusive Pel’s fishing owl and the African skimmer.

Family-Friendly Accommodations

Accommodation is crucial on a family safari. Some lodges and reserves have a minimum age, but this varies from camp to camp; at others you’ll need to book a private game viewer if you have young children. Many accommodations have family rooms, such as two interconnected tents with an adjoining deck, for example.

Cultural Experiences

There are myriad opportunities to interact with local people during a Botswana safari. Lodges often offer community visits, and at many, especially in Makgadikgadi, you can go on nature walks with the San. It’s a phenomenal outdoor classroom for anyone.

What to Look for in a Family-Friendly Lodge

Many Botswana safari lodges offer engaging activities for children and even specialised kids’ programmes, as well as babysitting facilities ideal for travelling families. For your family vacation to Botswana, ask about:

• Spacious family suites: Rooms with interconnecting doors or the option for extra beds in the room.
• Safety: Secure boundaries, attentive staff, and controlled access to wildlife areas.
• Flexible mealtimes: Meals at lodges are often dictated by game drives, which are themselves dictated by what you see. Check if early dinners are an option, and if there are kid-friendly menus.
• Activities: Junior ranger programmes, boat cruises, and nature walks tailored for children in secure spaces.
• Travel times: Africa is vast and travel times between lodges can be long and tiresome for children. In Botswana, flips between lodges and reserves are often by small plane or helicopter, cutting travel time and increasing the excitement factor.
• Game drives: Some lodges offer shorter drives for children. At others, you can book private vehicles if you have children.

Best Destinations for a Botswana Family Safari

Okavango Delta

You’ll see elephants in the Okavango – Botswana has the highest number of them in the world – bathing and playing in the water and covering themselves in dust. There are also hippos, with their echoing grunts, and crocs, too. Antelope include red lechwe, which have splayed hooves for traction in marshy ground; they also have the unique ability to run and swim efficiently in water to escape predators.

Chobe National Park

Chobe is the elephant capital of the world. You can go on boat safaris on the Chobe River to see wildlife, especially water-loving animals like hippos and crocodiles, and birds like the fish eagle. For children, seeing the scale of real-life wildlife and learning about animal behaviour from knowledgeable guides builds a profound connection with the natural world.

Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve, the oldest protected reserve in the Okavango Delta, is loved for its incredible biodiversity, especially its population of predator species. You may see wild dogs, lions, and leopards. There is a diverse range of activities like game drives, mokoro rides (although these do have age restrictions), and bush walks.

Some of the most endangered African species call this reserve home, including white and black rhinos. The animals are often relaxed, creating immersive encounters and making it easier for children to observe and photograph wildlife.

Khwai

Khwai, which borders Moremi, is a predator hotspot and one of the best places to see lions and wild dogs. There are day and night game drives, as well as mokoro rides. The Khwai River is a permanent river so it’s a year-round safari destination.

From lagoons and flooded pans to expansive grasslands and dense forests, Khwai is one of the most striking areas of Botswana. Birding is also exceptional, with numerous raptor species like eagles, making it a great spot for young nature lovers. You can also visit the local village, and learn about community-based conservation efforts.

Kalahari

There aren’t as many animals here as there are in other areas of Botswana, but the Kalahari Desert is renowned for big cats and other predators. You may see an elusive aardvark, but for children the highlight is the habituated population of meerkats. They’re still wild, but you can get close to them – a wonderful safari experience for children.

Makgadikgadi and Nxai

Go for the clear nighttime stargazing (and marshmallow-toasting) by the campfire and sleep-outs under the stars, driving on quadbikes across the salt pans, walking with San and learning about their uses of the plants and animals, and riding on fat bikes.

5 Tips for a Botswana Family Safari

1. Family-Friendly Lodges

Choose lodges with family-friendly amenities like swimming pools and kids’ activities. There should also be features like family rooms and babysitting services.

2. Go on Shorter Game Drives

A private guide and 4×4 during a family safari allow for more flexibility in your schedule, so you can plan shorter game drives to keep children engaged. Bumbles, or shorter, less intense game drives, are often better.

3. What to Pack

The sun in Africa is harsh and a high SPF sunscreen is essential. Other essentials are insect repellents, books, games, or tablets to keep kids entertained during downtime at the lodge or on longer drives.

4. Plan Kid-Friendly Activities

Ask about activities designed for children, such as junior ranger programmes, nature walks, cooking or arts and crafts clubs. Rangers are often skilled at keeping kids engaged and entertained.

5. Go in the Dry Season

Travel during the dry season, which is from May to October, for optimal wildlife viewing. As vegetation is sparse and there are fewer waterholes, animals are far easier to spot.

Your Next Steps

A family safari isn’t just a trip; it’s a series of active, adventurous, and incredibly memorable moments that shape how your children see the world. Does that sound like the kind of chapter you’re ready to write?

Let’s start designing the journey. We can show you our favourite routes, or even better, let us craft a family holiday that feels like it was made just for you and your family.