George Laing with Meerkats, Kalahari, Botswana

Botswana Family Safari

From deltas to deserts packed with game drives, mokoro explorations and quad bike adventures…

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

9 Days

Prices Start from

$6,824pp (ex. flights)

This family holiday to Botswana perfectly showcases the culture, wildlife and diverse landscapes of northern Botswana, from the Okavango Deltas labyrinth of islands and waterways to the elephant herds of Chobe, and the vast salt pans of the Kalahari.

Spend two nights onboard a houseboat, drifting through the wildlife rich landscapes of the Chobe National Park spotting wildlife from the deck, fishing and exploring smaller tributaries. On to the floodplains of the Okavango Delta for game drives, bush walks and mokoro explorations before ending amidst the otherworldly landscapes of the Makgadikgadi pans where traditional game viewing is switched for lunar landscapes, meerkat meets and quad bike adventures.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Chobe Princess boat, elephant herd, Chobe National Park, Botswana 1

Elephant River Safari

Cruise through Chobe National Park, gliding through floodplains, swamps and woodland spotting herds of elephants from the water.

Children with Kalahari bushmen, Botswana 2

Desert Widsom

Join the San Bushmen of the Kalahari – track and forage with them, master fire making skills and experience a simpler existence.

Lechwes from mokoro, Camp Okavango, Okavango Delta 3

Land and Water

Explore on land and water, taking game drives, bush walks and exploring in canoes and glass bottom mokoros.

Quad biking across Makgadikgadi pans, Kalahari, Botswana 4

Space & Silence

Quad bike across the Makgadikgadi salt pans before camping under immense skies – escape the normal routine and re-connect as a family.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Johannesburg - Kasane - Chobe National Park

  • Day 2

    Chobe National Park

  • Day 3

    Chobe National Park - Kasane - Okavango Delta

  • Days 4-5

    Okavango Delta

  • Day 6

    Okavango Delta - Makadi - Kalahari

  • Days 7-8

    Kalahari

  • Day 9

    Kalahari - Makadi - Maun

Day 1

Johannesburg - Kasane - Chobe National Park

Arrive into Kasane and transfer to Chobe National Park to board the Chobe Princess.

Day 2

Chobe National Park

Cruise the River Chobe, spotting wildlife, fishing and heading ashore to explore.

Day 3

Chobe National Park - Kasane - Okavango Delta

Transfer to the airport and fly to the Okavango Delta.

Days 4-5

Okavango Delta

Spend the next two days exploring the landscapes of the delta on foot, game drives and by mokoro.

Day 6

Okavango Delta - Makadi - Kalahari

Fly to Makadi and transfer overland to your accommodation on the Makgadikgadi  pans.

Days 7-8

Kalahari

Explore the Kalahari – meet meerkats, walk with the San bushmen and spend a magical night under the stars.

Day 9

Kalahari - Makadi - Maun

Transfer to the airport for flights to Maun for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Canoe fishing, Family safari package, Botswana
Canoe fishing, Botswana

Shared Experiences

Rather than staying in a fixed camp in the Okavango Delta, embark on a private mobile camping safari. Tailored to suit your budget and families wishes, sleep beneath star filled skies and wake to the distant sounds of hippo grunting. This exciting experience allows access to remote parts of the Okavango Delta, spending days exploring on foot, 4×4 or boat with your incredible guides. This adventure will take your family beyond the realms of a morning game drive and into the heart of the natural world.

Giraffes and elephants, Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park

Time Together

Chobe National Park is home to a vast elephant population and a two or three night cruise river cruise is a lovely way to both start your family holiday, and the perfect way to ease the family into the wildlife of Botswana. Join other like-minded people, or charter your very own villa on water and glide through floodplains, swamps, and woodland, surrounded by the abundant wildlife that inhabits Chobe. Relax on deck while the children spot different species, explore the shore, take a tender boat safari, or try your hand at fishing.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Camp Kalahari £££££

  • Botswana
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Located on Hyena Island at the edge of an ancient super lake and adjacent to the Makgadikgadi National Park, is the classically quaint, Camp Kalahari. Accommodation consists of ten classic safari tents of which one is a family unit. Main camp facilities include a thatched library, lounge, dining area and a swimming pool which has a deck with thatched shady comfortable seating.

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Kanana Camp £££££

  • Botswana
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Kanana is a hidden jewel set on the Xudum River in the southwest Okavango. This truly authentic little camp is one of our favourites and the area is a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony and knobthorn, and is home to a myriad of birds, plants and animals.

View Property

A note on price

This trip is based on a family of four with two children over the age of 12.

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchase through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From $6,824 Per person

When to travel

Botswana in January

A hot time of year, with thunderstorms periodically clearing the air. The peak of the wet season brings lush grass and the chance to spot newborn animals and birds.

Botswana in February

It remains hot and wet throughout the country, with the Central Kalahari turning into lush grasslands. Fruit sweetens and many different species scour the trees for a tasty meal.

Botswana in March

The high temperatures continue but the rains start to abate as the rainy season draws to a close.

Botswana in April

Temperatures start to drop, and days become drier. Antelope are breeding at this time, and are visible trying to flaunt themselves to their respective females.

Botswana in May

The start of the dry season. A good time of year to travel with pleasant temperatures, before the peak season.

Botswana in June

The winter brings warm days but chillier nights, so it is worth bringing a jacket. There is very little rainfall now, so wildlife is easier to spot around watering holes.

Botswana in July

The driest and coolest month across the country, with almost no rainfall at all. The waters of the Okavango rise as the rains finally filter down from the mountains of Angola. The aridity means that there are fewer mosquitoes at this time of year.

Botswana in August

Temperatures rise again, meaning less chilly nights and hot days, still with very little rainfall. A great time to spot wildlife in the Okavango delta as the waters reach peak levels.

Botswana in September

Continued rising temperatures and clear blue skies make for hot days and pleasantly warm evenings. Much of the country becomes dry and dusty as it has now been many months since any significant rains. Wildlife can be spotted easily around receding watering holes.

Botswana in October

The hottest month with some temperatures close to 40C, and the first signs of rain approaching. Water levels fall in the Okavango delta, causing catfish to migrate upstream, feeding on smaller fish along the way.

Botswana in November

The heat continues, as the rainy season begins. Greenery starts to return to the plains, and it is possible to spot some newborns.

Botswana in December

The rains return in full swing, with regular thunderstorms providing some relief from the heat. Grass carpets many of the landscapes, providing plenty of food for the young.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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