Planning a Family Safari in Botswana
Plan your Botswana trip for the dry season between June and September to see wildlife congregate at waterholes. Focus your itinerary on the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, and always book your internal light-aircraft transfers at least 6 months in advance.
- Choose your safari style. Decide between mobile tented camping (more adventurous, lower cost) or permanent luxury lodges (higher cost, better amenities for kids). Check if lodges have minimum age requirements, as some strictly enforce 12+.
- Map your route by air. Botswana is vast with poor road infrastructure. Budget for light-aircraft transfers between camps. Flights take 30-50 minutes, whereas driving can take 8+ hours on sand tracks.
- Secure your permits and park fees. Ensure your tour operator has pre-paid all Chobe and Moremi Game Reserve entry fees. These fluctuate based on nationality and park status; confirm these are bundled in your package.
- Coordinate health requirements. Botswana is a malaria-risk area. Consult a travel clinic 8 weeks before departure to start malaria prophylaxis. Ensure your family's routine vaccinations are current.
- Is Botswana safe for children?
- Yes, but it is a wild environment. Keep children within eyesight at all times at the camp and follow all instructions from guides regarding wildlife.
- Do I need a private guide for the family?
- Yes. If traveling with children under 12, a private vehicle is often mandatory so you can return to camp early if the kids get tired.
- What is the best way to move between camps?
- Light aircraft (Cessna Caravans) are the standard. They are expensive but save days of travel time.