A safari holiday isn’t for every family – it’s a huge investment and there are early starts and a lot of sitting while you play (big) cat and mouse, tracking the joys of nature across the plains. But for adventurous families with a love of the exceptional, the rewards can be huge and the memories eternal.
While some neighbouring countries have turned their natural assets into mass market attractions, with an uncomfortable number of vehicles vying for the best spot in parks, Botswana has done things differently. Here numbers are strictly limited, all properties are vetted for their eco credentials and locals are involved in every level of the safaris.
At the heart of it all is the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world, where floodwaters transform the Kalahari sands into a lush oasis teeming with life. It’s one of the best places on the continent to see the Big Five, and thanks to sustainable, locally-run safari company Wilderness, you can do so in unparalleled style.
Wilderness operates a selection of intimate, eco-friendly camps that blend seamlessly into their surroundings (the government decrees that all camps must be able to be dismantled if needed, meaning that no concrete is used in construction), providing guests with luxury without compromising on conservation. Whether you’re gliding through the channels in a mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe) or tracking big cats across the plains, these camps deliver an unforgettable adventure. Here’s our pick of three that promise something extraordinary.
Tucked away on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Wilderness Kwetsani offers a mix of water and land-based safaris. The lodge, built on stilts among fig and mangosteen trees, offers panoramic views of floodplains where red lechwe bound through the shallows and fish eagles patrol the skies.
Mokoro trips are a highlight — silent, intimate excursions that bring you eye-to-eye with frogs clinging to reeds and elephants wading through the water. When the waters recede, game drives become the main attraction, with regular sightings of lions and leopards hunting in the open grasslands. The camp itself is small and exclusive, with just five treehouse-style suites, making it perfect for families looking for a private safari experience.
If big cats and thrilling hunts are high on your wishlist, Wilderness Savuti is the place to be. Located in the Savuti Channel, one of Africa’s most famous predator hotspots, this camp is renowned for its legendary lion prides that have adapted to hunting elephants. Watching these apex predators in action is a heart-pounding spectacle you won’t forget.
The landscape here is different from the Delta — dry, rugged, and dotted with baobabs — but no less spectacular. Game drives reveal cheetahs sprinting across the open plains, hyenas lurking in the shadows and leopards draped languidly across ancient trees. The lodge itself offers five tented suites, each with a deck overlooking the channel where herds of elephants come to drink at sunset. It’s an adventurer’s dream, blending raw wilderness with understated luxury.
For those who want the best of both worlds, Wilderness Chitabe Lediba delivers in style. Situated in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve, this camp offers an incredibly diverse ecosystem, meaning you’re just as likely to spot wild dogs sprinting after an impala as you are to see a herd of elephants peacefully grazing.
The camp itself is intimate and family-friendly, with five spacious suites and a swimming pool for cooling off between game drives. What sets it apart is the guiding — expert trackers who not only find the animals but tell the stories behind them, from the family dynamics of a lion pride to the survival strategies of the elusive pangolin.
The verdict
A family safari in Botswana is not just about ticking off the Big Five — it’s about immersing yourself in an untamed world and instilling a respect for the natural world in your kids. Whether you’re drifting through the Delta at Kwetsani, following the lion prides of Savuti, or experiencing the rich biodiversity of Chitabe Lediba, these Wilderness camps offer a front-row seat to some of the greatest wildlife encounters on the planet. For families seeking an awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime adventure, this is as good as it gets.