Botswana multi-generational Family Safari
CREATE YOUR OWN FAMILY LEGENDS
A Botswana multi-generational family safari is one long remembered. Big cats at dawn; elephants at the waterhole; sunset drinks on the river – your family will be talking about this holiday for years to come.
Botswana is a great destination for multi-generational family travel.
WHY BOTSWANA?
Botswana is a great destination for family travel. It’s a safe, stable and well-functioning country with a smooth-running safari economy. The climate is generally dry and sunny, the wildlife viewing is among the best in Africa and the malaria risk for children can be managed effectively.
You’ll have a choice of accommodation in all the major safari destinations: the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Moremi plus the Kalahari. Many lodges have family suites that sleep four or even five, and several of the smaller tented camps can be booked privately to give you complete freedom and independence. These private camps are fully serviced and come with their own chef as well as guide and vehicle.
A further advantage of a multi-generational safari to Botswana is that it makes such an easy combination with Victoria Falls, another great family destination. Choose between the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls and add adrenalin adventures, Zambezi cruises and friendly animal encounters to your list of family memories.
SOUNDS GREAT; WHEN DO I NEED TO BOOK?
That’s the most important thing with multi-generational travel: you need to book well in advance, especially if you plan to travel over school holidays and/or in Botswana’s high season. Getting three or four rooms at a lodge or booking an exclusive-use camp is not easy without a long lead-time, and the bigger the group, the more in advance you’ll need to book. If you plan to go to popular lodges over Botswana’s high season and during school holidays, you’ll need to start booking 18 months in advance.
BEST TIME FOR MULTI-GENERATIONAL SAFARI TO BOTSWANA?
Botswana’s Dry Season is generally seen as the best time for a family safari. The rains ease off at the end of May and it’s nearly completely dry until the end of October. This season is when the malaria risk is lowest and the game viewing is at its easiest and often most impressive – the Chobe River area is especially good in the Dry Season.
June, July and August are the most popular months for family safaris because temperatures are at their mildest (in fact, it’s literally freezing at night in some areas) while September and October, although hot, provide some of the year’s best game viewing.
WHERE DO I STAY?
There are safari operators in Botswana who specialise in multi-generational travel and even provide tailored family programmes and extra activities for younger children. Family accommodation is generally an inter-connected pair of tented suites, usually raised a few feet off the ground and under a thatched roof. These suites have a double or twin beds and their own bathroom as well as a shared lounge and outdoor viewing deck – perhaps with private plunge pool. You’ll find a similar range of safari-style accommodation on both sides of Victoria Falls with a range of larger hotels and guest houses on the Zimbabwean side.
Multi-generational safari accommodation in Botswana ranges from classic tented camps to luxurious houseboats.
• Camp Okuti – riverside lodge in Moremi with 2 family units & 10 suites – great game viewing.
• Ghoha Hills Savuti – 2 family rooms at a lodge overlooking the wild heart of the Chobe Park.
• Little Machaba – (sleeps 8) & Gomoti Private (sleeps 6) are tented camps in the Okavango Delta that can be exclusively booked for a multi-generational private safari.
• Dinaka – 5-sleeper family tent plus 7 suites with a private-reserve setting in the wildlife-rich Kalahari.
• Shinde Enclave – an exclusive ‘camp within a camp’ (sleeps 6) in a great Okavango Delta location.
• Chobe Princess – explore the legendary Chobe River on an exclusive-use river boat (sleeps up to 10).
Multi-generational accommodation at Victoria Falls can be set next to the Zambezi River or in safari country nearby.
• The Elephant Camp – 4 private suites at a luxurious camp visited almost daily by elephants.
• Victoria Falls River Lodge – 5 luxury family tents on the banks of the Zambezi River.
• Tongabezi – the famous Dog House & adjoining River Cottage are perfect for a family of 6.
• Victoria Falls Safari Suites – air-conditioned 2 & 3-bedroom suites close to Victoria Falls.
• Lokuthula Lodges – great value 2 & 3-bedroom split-level suites with free shuttle to Vic Falls.
• Ilala Lodge & Batonka – hotel-style accommodations close to Vic Falls & have inter-leading rooms.
