Budget level:
Mid-Range
Country
Botswana
When to Go
All Year
Duration
7 Nights
Safari Type
Lodge and Canvas
Location
Makgadikgadi Pans, Northern Botswana, Okavango Delta
Kids Min Age
All Ages
Safari Rating
Perfect for families of all sizes with children of all ages, this trip takes you to three incredible but vastly different regions of northern Botswana: The Chobe river, the Okavango Delta & the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans!
Itinerary in Brief
A safari created for families to experience the best Botswana has to offer. Its aimed not only at children’s enjoyment but their parents alike. With fantastic accommodation in three vastly different regions accepting children of all ages, this is the perfect Botswana family safari.
The safari starts from Kasane Airport in the north-east of Botswana, making it perfectly accessible from Victoria Falls or directly by flight from Johannesburg. From the airport you will head straight into Chobe National Park where the game viewing begins as you make you way to your accommodation for the next 2 nights. The lodge being situated within the park gives you a huge head start to game viewing by vehicle and maximises your time in the afternoons. Fantastic boating opportunities along the Chobe river in the afternoons come highly recommended as thousands of elephants and plains game gather to drink. After your time in Chobe a transfer drive will take you back to Kasane airport where a charter flight awaits to take you to the famous Khwai region of the Okavango Delta. Spend 3 nights in the Khwai Community Reserve in a family friendly lodge that offers accommodation in fixed structures as opposed to canvas tents for added peace of mind when travelling with small children. The Khwai community concession allows for off-road driving and night driving so your opportunity for wildlife viewing is enhanced greatly. You also have the option to take a daytrip drive into the Moremi Game Reserve for those wishing to cover more ground. The Khwai area is home to a very healthy population of predators including lions, leopards, wild dogs and hyenas. After your time in Khwai another charter flight will take you to your final accommodation on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Spend 2 nights here as you explore the fascinating Kalahari and salt pans habitat with a mix of exceptional activities including the must-do meerkat visit! This will be a sure hit with the kids and a great way to spend the final 2 nights on your safari in Botswana. From the Pans, another charter will have you landing at Maun airport for onward connections.
This Perfect Botswana Family Safari is aimed at families with children of all ages and ensures accommodation in safe lodges, yet still allows for maximum wildlife viewing and a wide range of activities.
Detailed itinerary
Nights 1 & 2: Chobe Game Lodge
Set along the banks of the famous Chobe river, this is the only lodge in this section of the park, which means they are they first out in the field and the last back as per the regulations.
Alike most of the accommodation in this region, Chobe Game lodge is more of a hotel style than the typical safari lodge. However, its advantage being that it’s the only lodge within this section of the park. A major selling point as the others are within the town of Kasane.
The lodge has 47 guest rooms all having the modern day luxurious you would expect to find in a major city hotel. There are also four deluxe rooms which have private plunge pools. The main communal areas and facilities are a swimming pool, gym, massage room, lounge, library, bar and dining area.
The wildlife viewing in Chobe is remarkable at all times of the year but is particularly dense with wildlife in the drier parts of the year. One downside of this region however, is that is can be very crowded during the peak safari season.
Nights 3-5: Khwai Bush Camp
Khwai Bush Camp comprises four standard chalets (with fireplace) and two family chalets, all en-suite. Watch the magic of Africa unfold from the sanctuary of your chalet’s cool, thatched interior or the veranda that overlooks the famed Moremi Game Reserve. Battery-charging facilities are available in each guest room as well as fans. The main lodge area also has charging points for your convenience. Enjoy languid afternoons at the sparkling poolside drinking in the serene floodplain surrounds. Share an aperitif around our lively fire circle before tucking into hearty, homespun fare at our family-style feasts.
Activities include guided walking safaris, bird watching, river activities, day and night game drives spotting Africa’s iconic wildlife species – lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, hippo and giraffe. All the activities led by our qualified and passionate guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you. A visit to our neighbouring Khwai village is a cultural highlight.
Nights 6 & 7: Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari is located on Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the vast salt pans and sports 11 funky Meru tents which are perfect for families, groups and couples. It is an ideal base for discovering the charms of the desert and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. All tents have en-suite bathrooms and open-air showers with plenty of hot and cold water available all through the day.
The main area includes a central library, living area and dining area. All being furnished with original African furniture and colonial antiques in keeping with an exploration theme. The camp, being so remote, is electricity free and camp is lit by paraffin lanterns at night, whilst camera batteries can be charged in the safari vehicles.
The activities on offer are sure the be the highlight of your stay. All year round you can have upclose encounters with habituated meerkats, join bushmen on walks through the desert, game drives & nights drives, two-hour horseback safaris. And during the dry season you have the option of quadbiking across the vast pans to the famous Kubu island!
When to go
| jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec | |
| Makgadikgadi Pans |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
| Northern Botswana | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Okavango Delta | | | | | | | | | | | | |
= Best
= Good
= Mixed
The Accommodation
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