Kiri Camp family room
Splash Camp family unit
Mobile Family Setup
Family Safaris
... an endless landscape of education and fun
Is a Family Safari suitable?
The answer is absolutely yes!
Family safaris in Botswana are definitely suitable, though they require thoughtful planning. Many camps set minimum ages (typically 6-12 years) due to open vehicles and unfenced properties, but several lodges and mobile operators specifically cater to families with flexible schedules and child-friendly activities.
The best family experiences include Chobe riverfront boat safaris, Makgadikgadi quad biking and meerkat encounters, and private mobile safaris offering maximum flexibility. Private vehicles allow families to adjust game drive lengths, accommodate nap times, and move at children’s pace. Activities like bush walks focused on tracking and insects often engage kids more than long game drives.
Consider your children’s ages and temperaments carefully. Early morning starts, patient wildlife viewing, and remote locations with limited medical facilities can be challenging. However, with experienced family-oriented operators and realistic expectations, Botswana’s wildlife experiences create magical memories for children when properly planned.
However, they are your children, and I think you consider all the above in your daily lives already…. so why not on safari.
and remember … ADULTS CAN HAVE FUN TOO!
Here are some great Family Safari Suggestions
What's the accommodation like for families on a safari?
Family accommodation in the Okavango Delta and the rest of Botswana wildlife areas is perfectly accessible. Many camps do cater mostly to couples seeking romantic wilderness experiences, however, most properties have now adapted to welcome families, offering interconnecting tents or dedicated family suites with separate children’s sleeping areas.
Camps on permanent islands typically provide better infrastructure for families than remote water camps accessible only by boat, but that doesn’t make a huge difference. Some operators offer private family units with plunge pools and verandas where parents can relax while children play safely. The challenge remains that most Delta camps maintain unfenced boundaries and open designs, requiring constant supervision of younger children, hower this is now routine and families regularly travel very safely.
Mobile family safaris can work particularly well here, allowing exclusive use of camp facilities and flexible schedules suited to children’s needs. Private guides can tailor mokoro excursions (depending on the camps individual requirements), walking safaris, and game drives to engage different age groups.
Below are some examples of family rooms or units
Are there any restrictions?
Obviously safety has to be a priority, and in such a remote area, the camp needs to run fluidly without too much interruption. So what you will find is that many camps do have a minimum age for children to be allowed in the lodge…. commonly this is either 6 years old or 12 years old depending on the lodge…. But some allow kids of all ages, so you can speak to us about that.
Also many camps do have a policy of the family needing to hire a private vehicle for children under the age of 12… there are some exceptions but not many.
Here is a general list of activities available for children, with some average restricted ages.
Game Drives and Night Drives: Allowable for all kids welcomed into camp. However, as above, you will probably need to hire private activities for this.
Walking Safaris: This can be at the managers discretion, especially is its privately done, but an average minimum age is 16.
Boating Trips: Should be OK for all ages for children accepted into the lodge
Mokoro: Minimum age can be 12 plus
Quad Biking in the Makgadikgadi: Children under 12 must ride with an adult
There are of course other activities on offer which are more specialised, and in the more specified regions of Botswana… we can discuss this with you
Top Tips
- As a parent, don’t stress… you are in good hands and our Family Safaris are designed so that the parents also enjoy themselves.
- Whilst on an activity, bring a shoulder bag with all that you and your children need.
- Talk to your guide, here is there to help you and to make sure all is safe and sound.
- Don’t worry about animals, they are perfectly safe….. even the big ones.
- On a Mobile Tented Safari, depending on the age of the children, its probably better for at least one parent to share with the kids so that they don’t get spooked at night.
- At night give each child a torch…. its dark and they can be a bit independent.
- Drink plenty of water to keep cool… it can get hot here.
- Get them dirty…. there is nothing wrong with elephant poo..!
Contact us about your family safari
Contact us now to have an informal chat about the options for your family.
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