Family Botswana Safari

A very important feature of our family Botswana safari is the limited group size, as nature expeditions are best experienced in intimate settings with fewer travelers. We further divide our group into two safari vehicles, with no more than seven passengers each, for even more personalized wildlife encounters.

An essential element of this safari is our use of a combination of two specialized vehicles during different parts of the trip, facilitating unmatched wildlife viewing opportunities. Sometimes we travel in open Land Cruisers that provide a comfortable and safe ride over the sometimes uneven terrain of Botswana’s desert and delta environs. We also use 4x4 Land Rovers, with a unique suspension system and an open-sided, tiered seating arrangement designed to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities and comfort. It is common to have a shade net over the vehicle to provide sun protection and cover during possible intermittent rains. This protective net comes off during the cooler summer months in Botswana to allow the sun to warm us on morning and afternoon drives.

Both types of vehicles have 10 cushioned passenger seats—one in front next to the driver, followed by three rows of three seats each—though we limit our capacity to seven travelers per vehicle each with a window seat on wildlife drives during our Family Botswana Safari, again for maximum comfort, viewing and photo opportunities. Vehicles have a mini fridge stocked with cold drinks, a small library with reference books and field guides, and ponchos for each traveler in case of rain. Each custom-built vehicle sports front bull bars and runner boards, as well as a full recovery kit, including spare tires and a high-lift jack. Vehicles are updated or replaced regularly and meticulously maintained to provide our guests with an outstanding safari experience.

• Trip price includes: 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.
  

• Internal air cost includes: All light aircraft flights within the itinerary (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Easy to Moderate
To participate in this trip, you must be able to walk unassisted at a steady pace for at least one mile over uneven terrain, climb steps to get into and out of our raised safari vehicles, and be able to tolerate daily outdoor excursions that may last 4-5 hours or even a full day at a time, sometimes in hot, windy and/or dusty conditions. Children must be able to sit still and be quiet while searching for or in the presence of wildlife. Wildlife drives pose a particular type of physical demand on the body, as they require long hours of sitting and take place over terrain that is often very rough and bumpy, including dirt roads with many ruts and potholes. Travelers with back or neck problems, or other health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions, should take this into consideration. While any walking safaris are considered optional, travelers must be able to walk unassisted to and from the vehicle to our camp accommodations, sometimes walking over uneven ground or on boardwalks. Please note, however, that in general, children 15 and under are not permitted to participate in general walking safaris, they will be able to explore close to camp and participate in the bushman walk. Days spent on safari are often long, as mornings typically start before daybreak and evening meals are served after sundown. Safari accommodations and vehicles are not climate-controlled and, depending on the season, temperatures can range from quite cold to extremely hot, so it is critical that travelers come prepared.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

We have designed this family safari for those guests whose African dreams include the most remote wildlife experience available and who don’t require over-the-top accommodations to accomplish that goal. On these trips, changes to the itinerary may occur in order to take advantage of conditions unique to the season. Depending upon availability, itineraries may run in a different order.

Age Limit on Family Botswana Safaris
We welcome children age 6 and older on our Family Botswana Safaris. However, while some 6-year-olds are well suited for our Botswana adventures, others may not be ready for the requirements of group travel. We believe it's best to consider this minimum age limit a guideline—you, as a parent or guardian, are best qualified to decide whether your child would enjoy the experience without compromising the comfort of others. We strongly encourage you to speak with one of our Adventure Specialists about the specific requirements of the trip so you can make an informed decision. We do not permit children younger than 6 on our scheduled departures due to safety regulations, physical limitations and concerns regarding group dynamics. Depending on the age of the child, children must be matched in rooms with adults for safety purposes and due to camp regulations in Botswana. Additionally, children under 13 years old are not generally able to participate in the traditional mokoro boat rides for safety reasons and children must be 16 years or older to participate in longer, optional safari walks. Alternative activities will be provided for children as appropriate.

Please plan to arrive in Maun, Botswana by 1:30 pm on Day 1 and you may depart Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe anytime after 1 pm on the final day.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as our staff is intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.