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Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana
Family holidays in Botswana

Botswana family safari holidays

Best family safari holidays in Botswana

What was regarded unusual ten years ago, is now becoming more and more popular: at a suitable camp, family safari holidays in Botswana can provide you and your children with an outstanding wildlife experience. Consider booking a private guide to get the most out of your family safari holidays in Botswana!

It is true that a rather exclusive make up, a staid atmosphere and safety issues like game risks, high walkways and unguarded pools still make a lot of camps in Botswana not suitable for family safari holidays. That said, some smaller lodges and (mobile) safari camps are more flexible, e.g. concerning meal times and children's dietary requests, and so cater well to families with children.

Furthermore there are a couple of accommodation options that offer slightly separated family suites or that are booked on an exclusive-use basis.

Whichever option you choose, parents will often need to book a private vehicle and guide if they want to safari together with their children. This may sound like a rather inconvenient requirement - however, it can significantly enhance your family safari experience in Botswana. A private 4WD and your own guide will allow you to set your own schedule and adapt your safari to the age, interests and wishes of your children.

Savute Safari Lodge

With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.

Tau Pan Camp

Tau Pan is a good option for families with older children who have a keen interest in nature. Short walks are a great way of learning about the fauna and flora. The camp also offers a ‘family safari’, led by a private guide and tracker.

Machaba Camp

Machaba has two very spacious family tents and is a good option for a family safari in Botswana with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife.

Splash Camp

The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.


Shinde Camp

A family chalet, specialist family friendly guiding programme and a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's safari camps make Shinde a wonderful camp for your family safari to Botswana.

Kanana

Kanana has a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's camps, where it's unusual for families with children under 12 years not to have to book and pay for a private vehicle, although they may still choose to for greater flexibility.

Okuti

Okuti is part of the Young Explorers programme, offering families a specialist guide who has experience guiding children in the bush. It is also fenced and takes children aged 7+ making it a great family friendly safari camp.


Lagoon Camp

For those with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife, Lagoon Camp is a good option for a family holiday in Botswana. As well as having a family chalet, the camp offers a privately guided “family safari”.

Splash Camp

The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.


Private Mobile

The team behind the Botswana Private Mobile Safari has a lot of experience in family safaris. The owners have a young child of their own and with a minimum age of 6 this is a great option for family safaris.

Kanana

Kanana has a more relaxed child policy than most of Botswana's camps, where it's unusual for families with children under 12 years not to have to book and pay for a private vehicle, although they may still choose to for greater flexibility.


Muchenje Safari Lodge

For a family safari in Botswana, Muchenje is a fantastic option with guides who specialised in guiding children for years. The lodge has a family room with two single beds in a 'loft' area (albeit up a fairly steep stepladder).

Savute Safari Lodge

With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.

Pom Pom Camp

With a family chalet, consisting of two interlinked bedrooms with a shared bathroom, Pom Pom Camp is a good option on a family safari to Botswana.


Muchenje Safari Lodge

For a family safari in Botswana, Muchenje is a fantastic option with guides who specialised in guiding children for years. The lodge has a family room with two single beds in a 'loft' area (albeit up a fairly steep stepladder).

Savute Safari Lodge

With a swimming pool and a large family chalet with 2 ensuite bedrooms Savute Safari Lodge is a great stop on a family safari in Botswana.

Lagoon Camp

For those with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife, Lagoon Camp is a good option for a family holiday in Botswana. As well as having a family chalet, the camp offers a privately guided “family safari”.

Splash Camp

The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.


Camp Kalahari

Quadbiking across Botwana's Kalahari saltpans and a fascinating Bushman experience make for memorable family safari holidays at Camp Kalahari. Visiting the habituated families of meerkats here is another highlight for children and adults alike.

Linyanti Ebony

Linyanti Ebony’s spacious family room is a good accommodation for Botswana family safari holidays, particularly with slightly older children. Combine this with the ‘Young Explorers’ programme to have a specialist family guide travel with you.


Chitabe Lediba

The family chalets at Chitabe Lediba are two fully functioning standard chalets with their own ensuite bathrooms joined by a short corridor. This coupled with an informal atmosphere make the camp a fantastic option for a family safari in Botswana.

Splash Camp

The exclusive use Splash Enclave has its own private main area including a pool and no age restrictions making it a fantastic option for a family visiting Botswana.


Chitabe Lediba

The family chalets at Chitabe Lediba are two fully functioning standard chalets with their own ensuite bathrooms joined by a short corridor. This coupled with an informal atmosphere make the camp a fantastic option for a family safari in Botswana.

DumaTau

Duma Tau has two family units; each consisting of two en-suite rooms separated by an open deck. It would best suit families on safari in Botswana with children aged over 12; those with younger children have to book a private vehicle.


Machaba Camp

Machaba has two very spacious family tents and is a good option for a family safari in Botswana with older children who are enthusiastic about wildlife.

Family holidays elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Family holidays in other countries.


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Where to see wildlife species in Africa

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

82% SUCCESS

2,934 sightings from 3,600 observations

Where to see lion in Africa

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

1,875 sightings from 3,986 observations

Where to see leopard in Africa

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,008 sightings from 3,047 observations

Where to see cheetah in Africa

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

31% SUCCESS

840 sightings from 2,672 observations

Where to see wild dog in Africa

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,098 sightings from 3,799 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Africa

Brown Hyena

Brown Hyena

Parahyaena brunnea

This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.

17% SUCCESS

239 sightings from 1,448 observations

Where to see brown hyena in Africa

Meerkat

Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.

22% SUCCESS

85 sightings from 395 observations

Where to see meerkat in Africa

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,504 sightings from 3,850 observations

Where to see elephant in Africa

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,472 sightings from 2,982 observations

Where to see buffalo in Africa

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,374 sightings from 3,911 observations

Where to see giraffe in Africa

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,562 sightings from 2,875 observations

Where to see hippo in Africa

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

31% SUCCESS

607 sightings from 1,963 observations

Where to see black rhino in Africa

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

44% SUCCESS

476 sightings from 1,083 observations

Where to see white rhino in Africa

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,272 sightings from 1,823 observations

Where to see oryx in Africa

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,405 sightings from 2,877 observations

Where to see eland in Africa

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

23% SUCCESS

457 sightings from 1,958 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Africa

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

436 sightings from 1,952 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Africa

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

60 sightings from 316 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Africa

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

68% SUCCESS

2,383 sightings from 3,524 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Africa

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,684 sightings from 4,366 observations

Where to see zebra in Africa

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

52 sightings from 3,201 observations

Where to see pangolin in Africa

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

67 sightings from 3,205 observations

Where to see aardvark in Africa

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