Botswana Family Safaris

Yes, Botswana is a brilliant destination for a family safari, especially for older children and teens. With private camps, flexible activities, and a strong focus on conservation, it offers a safe and enriching way for families to explore Africa together. For those who want a more structured style of accommodation as opposed to a tented experience, there are some lovely guest house-style options available.

Children aged 8 and above tend to get the most out of a Botswana safari, especially in camps that offer walking or mokoro excursions. Some lodges have age minimums, so we’ll help tailor your trip to suit your family’s needs.

Yes, Botswana has a strong reputation for safe, well-run safaris. Camps and guides are highly experienced, and private vehicles or guides can be arranged to give your family more flexibility and peace of mind.

Absolutely. Many camps cater specifically to families, with family suites, child-friendly meals, and guides who are great with kids. Some even offer junior ranger programmes or nature-focused activities tailored for children.

Yes, many camps will happily tailor the pace of your safari. Shorter drives, private vehicles, or even a split schedule between parents and children can help keep younger ones engaged.

We recommend it. A private guide or vehicle gives you the flexibility to adjust timings, focus on your children’s interests, and create a more relaxed safari experience for everyone.

Several camps in Botswana are family-friendly, offering larger rooms or private villas. Chobe and the Khwai region have great options with activities suited to younger travellers. Some camps provide child-specific guides and tailored activities. For families with older children, private mobile safaris are excellent, giving flexibility and a real sense of adventure.

Family-focused camps design experiences that go beyond game drives. Kids might learn to track animals, identify bird calls, or cook over a fire with guides. Shorter drives, fishing, nature walks, and cultural visits keep things varied. For older children, mokoro rides or boat safaris can be thrilling. Camps are skilled at making safari fun and educational.

Most of Botswana falls within a malaria zone, especially the Okavango Delta and Chobe. Anti-malarial medication is recommended for visitors. However, the risk is lower during the dry winter months (May–October), when mosquitoes are less prevalent. For families who prefer a malaria-free safari, we might recommend South Africa instead, which offers excellent alternatives.

Bring light, neutral-coloured clothing, sun hats, sunscreen, and a fleece for cool evenings. Binoculars, books, and small games or drawing kits are great for downtime between activities.

Yes – some lodges offer guided bushcraft sessions, animal tracking, or child-focused talks about wildlife and conservation. It’s a great way to make learning fun and hands-on.

Definitely. Many camps have small pools or shaded lounge areas where kids can relax between activities. We’ll recommend options with a good balance of adventure and comfort. Ending your trip on the Zambezi River is also a really good way to incorporate a more affordable ‘downtime’ into an amazing experience.

Bush treasure hunts, sketching animals, storytelling around the campfire, and stargazing are just a few ideas. Some camps provide child-specific activity packs or guides trained to engage younger guests.

Yes. Private safari houses or larger family camps are perfect for grandparents, parents, and kids travelling together. We’ll help design a trip with the right pace and comfort for everyone.

Some camps allow teens aged 12+ on walking safaris, depending on fitness and safety. It’s a fantastic way to see the bush from a different perspective, guided by experienced trackers.

Some do. We can recommend properties that provide flexible mealtimes and babysitting or child-minding services so parents can enjoy a quiet sundowner or dinner while the kids rest.