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9-Nights Family Botswana Safari

Africa
9-Nights Family Botswana Safari
Africa
Natural Habitat Adventures
Vacation Offer ID 1544661
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Overview

Natural Habitat Adventures

From Desert to Delta, an Exhilarating Adventure to Thrill Safari-Goers of All Ages

For families, there’s no topping the adventure of an African safari—and in Africa, it’s tough to top Botswana. Big game is abundant, and we get amazingly close to elephants, lions and much more from authentic tented safari camps deep in the bush and far from crowds. In a world of vanishing natural treasures, the chance for a family to experience Africa's wonders together is an unsurpassed gift. As you watch a cheetah sprint across the savanna or study the green glow of a hyena’s eyes at night, "wild life" takes on a whole new meaning! Our family-focused itinerary is designed for all generations, to maximize diversity of locations and experiences, and to keep young minds captivated. From the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert with its sprawling salt pans to the emerald marshes of the Okavango Delta and the thunder of Victoria Falls, our Botswana family safari unveils new thrills day by day.

Vacation Inclusions

  • Accommodations in luxury safari camps Services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s)
  • Local guides and camp staff
  • Premier open-sided 4-wheel drive Land Cruisers or Rovers
  • Private charted helicopter flight above the Kalahari Desert
  • All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day
  • Some alcoholic beverages
  • Some gratuities
  • Airport transfers on Day 1 and final day
  • All activities and entrance fees,
  • All taxes, permits and service fees

Featured Destinations

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

The town of Victoria Falls is a pleasant place, created for visitors. There are hiking routes and rental bicycles. There are also trinket shops, selling everything from cheap T-shirts to antique African musical instruments. Carvings of masks and animals are a tradition around the area (as is the bargaining required to purchase them for a reasonable price). The Victoria Falls Hotel, a short walk from the falls, still operates in full colonial splendor and should be seen even by those not staying there. Visit Crocodile Ranch and Craft Village - a fascinating glimpse into Zimbabwean culture. Visit Livingstone, just across the border in Zambia— more than just a tourist town and more character than Victoria Falls. Another appealing side trip is to Chobe National Park, in neighboring Botswana. Chobe is one of the finest game parks in the world.
Destination Guide
Khwai Private Wildlife Reserve
Kalahari Desert

Kalahari Desert

Don't dismiss the Kalahari Desert as just sand. Covering more than two-thirds of Botswana, this home of the San (also known as the Bushmen) and the Tswana herdsmen consists primarily of small scrub trees and tall grass crisscrossed by dry riverbeds, which fill during thunderstorms.

The Kalahari, or Kgalagadi as it is known in the local language, has a scattering of birds and animals, including ostrich, hyena, antelope, cheetah and the famous black-maned Kalahari lion. Safaris are available into Deception Valley and other popular parts of the Kalahari. Dqae Qare, a community-run Bushman tourism project 15 mi/24 km fron Ghanzi, showcases the culture and environment of the San people.

A highlight of a visit to the Kalahari is to go on a walk with members of the San community. Their language is full of clicks and their English heavily accented (their speech is amazing to hear), but as they share their intimate knowledge of the flora and fauna and humorous ways of adapting to, and surviving in, the harsh environment, they'll leave you with unforgettable memories.

There are no permanent tented campsites in the desert—everything, including water, must be carried in.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the place to experience a mobile safari, which can range from the remarkably luxurious to adventure camping. On a luxury mobile safari, expect a spacious tent with private bath and flush toilet, dining at a table laid with linen tablecloth, silverware and glassware, a gourmet chef assisted by trained waiters, fine wines and a substantial complement of staff, traveling with supplies in separate vehicles, setting up and dismantling camps when guests are not present. Meanwhile, visitors travel in spacious safari vehicles with the undivided attention of a professional guide, to return to a new setting, hot showers and a chilled sundowner.

Semi-participation safaris are less luxurious, as guests help out with a few of the tasks, such as attending the camp fire or preparing vegetables for the evening meal, but they still offer reasonable comfort, good food and the camaraderie of involvement.

Full participation safaris are for the adventurous—those happy to put up tents and prepare food, and who do not expect to be waited on. What they all offer is the privilege of a true wilderness experience.

Destination Guide
Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans

The barren landscape of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana attracts adventurous nature lovers. The salt pans, about 310 mi/500 km north of Gaborone, are among the largest in the world, covering 2,500 sq mi/6,500 sq km between Francistown and the Okavango Delta.

Bird-watchers interested in unusual habitats are the best candidates for a trip to Makgadikgadi. Game lovers might see zebra, springbok, gemsbok and other animals (primarily in February and March), but there are much better places in Botswana to watch animals. And, in reality, most of the birds seen there are the same species that can be viewed more conveniently in the Okavango Delta (though the flocks of flamingos and pelicans tend to be larger on the pans).

The main attraction of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is the atmosphere: The bleached landscape, the dead-flat terrain, the few bloated baobab trees and the multitude of mirages provide a kind of otherworldly experience. Quad biking (using four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicles) across the cracked and dried pans is a popular adventure activity, and most guides can arrange it.

Kubu Island is especially eerie, as the vistas of salt flats extend to the horizon. Large baobab trees dot the island, which at the north end looks much like a ship's prow. A circular stone wall and about 70 small stone cairns can be seen at the south end of the island. Some archaeologists believe this enclosure was used as an initiation site by 14th-century Zimbabwe peoples.

If you visit Kubu Island, which can only be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles, be very careful of the salt. When wet, it is so soft that it can literally swallow a vehicle down to the wheel wells in a few seconds.

Several typical Zimbabwe ruins are situated around the east and southern edges of the salt pan. Consumption of the salt on the pan is not advisable because it can cause diarrhea.

Joining a professional mobile safari is the safest way to explore the pans, and there are plenty of camp sites.

Destination Guide

View Full Itinerary

Valid Date Ranges

June 2024
06/01/2024 01/05/2025 Call for pricing
March 2025
03/21/2025 01/05/2026 Call for pricing
Prices are land only, per person based on double occupancy and given in U.S. dollars. Airfare is additional. Deposit fee and Single Supplement fees apply. All itineraries are subject to change without notice; please inquire at the time of booking. Advertised rates vary by date of travel; please inquire for the best prices for your preferred travel dates. Inquire for a list of exclusions and physical fitness requirements based upon trip activity level. Private Customized Groups and Special Photo Departures and Themed Departures may be available; inquire for itinerary and details. Full terms and conditions apply. 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.