Final Up to date on Aug 27, 2024
Once I determined to take my young children on a safari, mainly each article on the web informed me that touring to Botswana with youngsters youthful than 6 years previous was unimaginable, however realistically they wanted to be 10 years previous to go on a safari. Even quite a few Fb teams with skilled vacationers claimed that it was a horrible thought and that my toddler and preschooler wouldn’t be allowed.
Let me let you know that each one this couldn’t be extra deceptive! Botswana with toddlers or young children is feasible and we had a blast. We met different households touring with youngsters of comparable ages and even a child.
What’s the minimal age for safari in Botswana?
There isn’t an age restrict! Nationwide parks don’t impose any age requirement. Just some lodges have age restrictions, however for each lodge that does, there are two that don’t.
Now, one can say “simply because you may it doesn’t imply it’s best to” and I agree. You understand your youngsters greatest and whereas we have been informed that we may discover the Okavango Delta one of the simplest ways to take action is on mokoro – dugout canoe. It strikes as a result of an individual stands behind you and makes use of a pole that pushes and steers you thru the winding Okavango.
Whereas superb, I didn’t see my youngsters sitting on a tiny mokoro for hours with out a lot motion, so we opted not to try this half. I do know somebody who did it with youngsters 3 and 6 and nobody stated they couldn’t board the boat.
It is advisable use your personal judgment on the kid’s consideration span, potential to remain quiet when requested across the animals, and their pursuits. The children have to have the capability to be in a 4WD or on a sport stroll for a few hours with out driving everyone insane. Some youngsters can do that when they’re 3 or 4 years previous, others could be a nightmare at that age.
My youngsters are mature for his or her ages and so they have been 2.5 and 4 years previous. As we did a number of totally different lodges round many international locations (right here’s our itinerary btw), we initially deliberate on doing only some sport drives and doubtlessly having the children keep at youngsters membership. Nonetheless, by the point we acquired to Botswana we realized that they have been superb at sport drives and did them each day for a number of hours.
Is it secure to take younger youngsters on safari in Botswana?
It’s completely secure to convey youngsters on a safari to Botswana, however at some camps it’s worthwhile to be conscious as they’re not fenced and animals wander in. It’s common for an elephant to immediately stroll out from the bushes or hyenas to roam at evening. Don’t let the children roam free with out supervision and you’ll be superb.
Do the Youngsters Want Malaria Drugs?
Anti-malaria drugs are simple to purchase, however everyone knows that they’ll make some individuals really feel uneasy, particularly youngsters. Thankfully, most areas in Botswana are malaria-free because it’s far-off from cities the place the danger of an infection is larger. Plus, when you journey in the course of the winter the water ranges will likely be low. With out standing water to breed in and the coolness of winter within the air, malaria-carrying mosquitos are within the dormant stage both approach.
The place to Go in Botswana with Youngsters
One subject that everybody rapidly realizes when making an attempt to e book a safari in Botswana is that in contrast to in different international locations – South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, you can’t e book many lodges by yourself. You want a selected tour operator that will help you e book lodges.
Formally you may e book them, however the lodges hardly ever reply until you’re an African safari supplier, which is bizarre.
You’ll be able to self-drive in Botswana, however the driving distances are lengthy and it’s common for the lodges, together with tenting spots, to be full months upfront so that you would possibly get stranded and compelled to camp outdoors of the lodge space which in Botswana isn’t the most secure choice.
Nonetheless, it’s worthwhile to keep in mind that relying on the tour operator some won’t take your youngsters when planning a safari. For instance, driving distances between locations in Botswana are lengthy and whereas it may be potential to remain simply 1 evening on the lodge, it doesn’t imply that it needs to be the case as you’ll all find yourself being aggravated.
I can solely say superior issues in regards to the Pure Choice safari operator. They’re understanding and know what they’re doing.
Botswana Itinerary with Small Kids
Probably the most advisable itinerary is to begin in Victoria Falls (or Kasane) and find yourself in Maun. For the persuade you’ll in all probability fly out and in of Victoria Falls internationally, so it’s simpler to get a flight again from Maun.
That approach, you may go to Chobe Nationwide Park, then drive by way of Nata, then try Makgadikgadi Pan.
In case your youngsters are over 6 years previous you may go to Okavango Delta on the finish. Alternatively, there may be an choice to do a day journey from Maun and organize babysitting for the kids youthful than 6 years previous.
Chobe Nationwide Park with Youngsters
Chobe Nationwide Park is essentially the most accessible place in Botswana with young children. Aside from one lodge that I do know doesn’t settle for any youngsters, 90% of lodges welcome youngsters of any age. We noticed a number of infants and fairly a a number of households within the park.
We stayed at Chobe Marina Lodge because it was top-of-the-line choices price-wise. The lodge was all-inclusive with all our meals included together with one exercise a day (river safari or sport drive). Naturally, you may e book a second exercise, however we have been solely there for 2 nights, so one a day was excellent.
Chobe did really feel busy, however undeniably we noticed an unbelievable quantity of animals up shut. Households aren’t required to e book a non-public automobile, which had some benefits by way of value, however we have been driving with different individuals so this posed totally different challenges. For instance, we had one terrible girl in our automobile who saved arguing with the motive force that we should change together with her as a result of she demanded to get a facet seat as a substitute of the children and saved complaining about how are the children allowed, though our youngsters weren’t doing something and really fell asleep for the trip again to the lodge.
I truly came upon later that Chobe Sport Lodge in Botswana was a barely extra family-friendly choice, because it was proper in the midst of the park and provided extra automobiles.
Which lodges in Botswana take toddlers and young children?
Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans
It’s a implausible place with many actions like horseriding, ATVs, and most significantly: excursions to see the pleasant meerkats. Between January and April, Africa’s second-largest migration as 50,000 zebra and wildebeest transfer by way of the realm.
Elephant Sands, Nata
It’s a real bucket record place with elephants wandering round and coming to the watering gap. It’s a must-stop in your itinerary, however make certain to e book upfront. They solely have 10 rooms so sure dates are sometimes booked half a yr earlier.
Different Essential Information About Touring to Botswana with Youngsters
Botswana’s rules require you to convey an authorized copy of the total authentic delivery certificates of the kid you’re touring with. In case your baby is underneath 18, don’t overlook it, as a result of they do verify it completely on the border and airport and gained’t allow you to in with out it.