Botswana Offering families the opportunity to experience nature at its most pristine. Known for its pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife, this southern African country is a top destination for families looking for a safari – from gliding through the waters of the Okavango Delta to watching elephants roam freely in Chobe National Park. to standing in awe under the stars at the Makgadikgadi Basin.
Although Botswana is remote and beautiful, it requires a little extra planning (and a helping hand of course) CB! travel advisor Master hunting), the rewards are unmatched. Families will find enthusiastic guides who know how to charm young adventurers and find accommodations that blend comfort with wild excitement. Whether your children are eager to observe animals, learn about ancient traditions or explore the great outdoors, Botswana can provide you with unforgettable moments and create lifelong memories.
Here are the destinations and activities to make your Botswana family safari truly unforgettable.
Botswana Family Safari 101: Where to go, what to know and more
chobe national park
Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Covering 4,500 square miles and home to an estimated 120,000 elephants, this is a dream destination for families eager to see these legendary animals up close. But you can see more than just elephants here. The park is home to many giraffes, lions, zebras and antelopes, and if you’re lucky you can spot them on a game drive.
Family-friendly lodges like Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge offer connecting rooms, kid-focused safari programs and swimming pools to cool off after a day of exploring . The lodges also offer boat tours on the Chobe River, where kids can keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles and elephants that congregate on the river banks.
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Chobe Game Lodge is the country’s oldest five-star game lodge, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of date. Retaining all the features of a luxury hotel, the hotel has 40 rooms, each with air conditioning, and four suites, ideal for families and with private plunge pools. At the same time, Chobe Safari Lodge, which has been operating for more than 60 years, also has 16 suites specially provided for families.
The small town of Kasane is an important entrance into the national park. From here, you can enter Zambia or Zimbabwe to visit nearby attractions such as Victoria Falls, and many safari lodges will help arrange trips to the falls for a bit of added adventure.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you’ll explore the wetlands instead of the usual game drives MokoroIt is a traditional canoe guided by an experienced pole bearer, just like the gondoliers in Venice. During this quiet journey, children can see elephants bathing, hippos wallowing, and colorful birds such as kingfishers and African ospreys making dramatic dives and appearing alongside wriggling fish.
Many lodges in the area offer larger tents for families and activities designed specifically for children, including nature walks and educational yet fun classes about the local ecosystem. Children can learn how to identify animal tracks, discover the importance of protecting water resources, and hear stories about the Delta and its wildlife from local guides. For those older, fishing excursions and guided bush walks offer a first-hand way to experience the wilderness.
Two notable options include Okavango Camp, located on a remote island in the heart of the delta, and Gunn Camp, overlooking Chief Island and adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. Camp Okavango has a dedicated children’s area with games and books, while Gunn’s Camp offers a more authentic tent experience.
The town of Maun is considered the gateway to the Delta and is often the starting point for safaris and tours Mokoro travel. While in town, explore the lively market, where locals sell crafts, jewelry and fresh produce, and visit the Nhabe Museum. Although small, it highlights the history, culture, and wildlife of the area and provides you with background information about the Delta landscape.
Kalahari Desert
Yes, the African-themed indoor waterpark chains popping up across the U.S. are named after the Kalahari Desert, but it’s the authentic experience that appeals to kids more than tacky slides or wave pools. One of the highlights was walking with the San Bushmen, one of the oldest cultures in the world. These expert trackers share stories of their heritage while teaching families how to find water in the desert, identify edible and medicinal plants, and track animals using nearly invisible signs like footprints or disturbed grass.
The Kalahari is also home to unique wildlife, including black-maned lions, adorable meerkats and eland, which are majestic antelopes with long, straight horns. You can see these constellations on a game drive during your visit to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, or they will amaze everyone in the family on a nighttime adventure under the vast desert sky.
If you stay during the rainy season (November to April), you’ll see the desert transform into a lush landscape that attracts herds of zebra and wildebeest.
For families looking for an immersive experience in the Kalahari region, Tau Pan Camp offers thatched-roof accommodation designed specifically for families, as well as special activities for children and private safaris just for your crew.
Makgadiga Dipans National Park
The Makgadikgadi Basin creates an otherworldly landscape that will make your family feel like they have stepped onto another planet. They are one of the largest salt flats on Earth, formed when an ancient super lake dried up thousands of years ago and are now a shimmering white ocean that stretches endlessly to the horizon.
But that’s only in the winter. When the rains arrive between late fall and early spring, the transformation is startling, transforming the flatlands into lush wetlands that attract thousands of migratory birds, including pink and white flamingos. During the dry season, families can ride quad bikes across vast, open terrain and sleep under the stars. Here, the Zu’/hoasi Bushmen also share their own survival stories and skills, adding another layer of wonder.
Located on the edge of the salt pans, Camp Kalahari offers 12 tents for an authentic, family-friendly African experience. Each tent has an ensuite bathroom with hot and cold running water, and the campground also has a swimming pool, quad biking, horseback riding and other activities the kids will enjoy.
tsodilo mountain
Tsodilo Mountain is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the “Louvre of the Desert.” These ancient rock formations rise out of the flat Kalahari landscape and contain more than 4,500 prehistoric rock paintings created by the San and other early inhabitants. They date back thousands of years and depict scenes of everyday life, hunting and spiritual rituals.
Your guide takes you on a trail that winds through the hills, stopping at key locations where the rock art comes to life through narrative. The hills themselves are considered sacred and are sometimes called the Mountains of the Gods, with each hill symbolizing men, women, children and the spirit world.
When looking for accommodation in the area, consider accommodation along the Okavango River, such as Xaro Lodge. While cozy, the lodge does offer a spacious family room with two bedrooms and stunning views. The cabin allows the kids to enjoy boating, fishing and bird watching, and there’s no better place for sunset than the deck overlooking the river.
Gaborone
As the capital and largest city of Botswana, Gaborone offers a glimpse into the country’s urban life. While it may not rival Botswana’s beautiful natural landscape, it has its own charm and some worthwhile attractions, such as the National Museum and Art Gallery, which showcase the country’s traditional crafts, arts and crafts.
Just outside town is the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, which offers a range of family-friendly hiking trails, guided tours and even cheetah interactions. The Gaborone Wildlife Sanctuary is located within the city limits. Although it is one of the smallest protected areas in the country, it offers families the opportunity to see antelopes, warthogs and monkeys just steps away from city life.
For accommodation, Gaborone offers several family-friendly options, such as the Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino, which has a swimming pool, on-site restaurant, and spacious rooms, and the Peermont Mondior Hotel, which has family suites.
Botswana Family Safari Travel Tips
get there
Arriving in Botswana usually involves flying into one of its main international airports, which are located in Gaborone, Maun and Kasane. Kasane offers easy access to Chobe National Park and Maun is the main gateway to the Okavango Delta. Most international flights pass through major African hubs such as Johannesburg South Africa.
Travel from these airports to remote lodges and camps is often done using light aircraft or charter flights. You need to plan ahead, and it’s important to use a travel advisor who understands the complexities of small plane travel.
weather
Botswana has two main seasons: the dry season and the wet season. May to October is the dry season, with sunny days and cool nights. Meanwhile, the rainy season from November to April can make some roads impassable, but it’s still a magical time as the area transforms from desert to lush landscape.
Vaccination
Routine vaccinations such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are usually required, and typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines are often recommended. Preventing malaria is crucial, especially when visiting areas such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park during the rainy season. Talk to your doctor about what vaccines and medical precautions you need. Be sure to bring insect repellent.
Related links:
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Editor’s note: This article is accurate at the time of publication. We recommend checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided, or for any actions taken as a result of the information provided.
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