7 Day / 6 Night Botswana’s Giants and Jokers – A Family Safari Tale

In Botswana, the magic of safari belongs to everyone, especially the young explorers who see it all for the first time.

Along the lush banks of the Chobe River, young explorers watch wide-eyed as elephants wade through the shallows, trunks raised like periscopes.

Every game drive becomes a treasure hunt, every footprint a clue in nature’s grand puzzle.

Then, in the vast openness of the Makgadikgadi, the magic shifts: meerkats pop up from their burrows at sunrise, curious and comical, welcoming families into their sunlit world.

From the thunder of hooves to the stillness of the pans, Botswana’s wild spaces offer unforgettable moments for curious young minds.

At Chobe Safari Lodge, families settle into a boutique riverside retreat on the banks of the Chobe River, where elephants parade along the water’s edge and boat cruises reveal hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife.

With family suites, sleeper couches, and a rim-flow pool, it’s a safe and inspiring base for young adventurers.

Then the landscape shifts. At Meno A Kwena, perched above the Boteti River on the edge of the Makgadikgadi, the desert comes alive.

Here, children wake to meerkats standing sentry at sunrise, track footprints in the sand, and listen to stories under star-filled skies.

The camp’s rustic charm and immersive activities, from cultural walks to floating hides, make it a place of wonder and connection.

Together, these two lodges offer a safari circuit rich in contrast and perfect for families: river and desert, elephants and meerkats, comfort and curiosity.

Location

Chobe Safari Lodge, bordering the Chobe National Park, and Meno A Kwena, bordering the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, offer excellent wildlife access but operate in public or community-managed areas, meaning sightings may be shared and activities are more regulated.

While off-roading and exclusive traversing aren’t permitted, wildlife sightings remain abundant and deeply immersive.

Areas included in this package: Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park, Botswana’s first and most biologically diverse park, stretches across 11,700 square kilometres of floodplains, woodlands, and savannas in the country’s far north.

Chobe is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa, over 50,000 strong.

These majestic herds are often seen along the Chobe River, especially during the dry season, where they gather in dramatic numbers to drink, bathe, and socialize.

The park is also home to lion, leopard, buffalo, antelope, and over 450 bird species, offering exceptional game viewing year-round.

From sunset cruises on the river to game drives across the Savuti Marsh, the park delivers a rich variety of safari experiences in one of Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas.

Areas included in this package: Makgadikgadi Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans are among the largest salt flats in the world, offering an unparalleled safari experience in one of Africa’s most remote landscapes.

The Pans are remnants of an ancient super lake that once covered much of Botswana, creating a scene of absolute isolation and beauty.

Stretching across a stark, shimmering horizon, these pans offer a surreal landscape where flamingos gather in seasonal waters, and meerkats stand watch on scorched salt layers.

During the dry season, the silence is profound.

In the rains, the desert transforms into a lush haven for migrating zebra, wildebeest and flamingos.

It’s a place of extremes, both hauntingly empty and unexpectedly alive.

Curated Experiences

Uncover the unique character of each camp and lodge and explore the experiences that set them apart.

Every property offers its own distinctive charm, from setting and style to activities and atmosphere.

Leveraging our extensive local expertise, we ensure you enjoy the very best each destination has to offer, tailored to your interests and travel style.

Day 1 – 4 | Chobe Safari Lodge, Kasane, Chobe

Arrive at Kasane Airport for your short transfer to Chobe Safari Lodge.

Guests at Chobe River Lodge can enjoy a rich variety of activities including river safaris, game drives, fishing, birdwatching, and day trips to Victoria Falls.

These experiences cater to both adventure seekers and families looking for immersive wildlife encounters.

River-Based activities include morning and sunset boat cruises to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife and guided fishing trips catering to all levels.

Land-Based safaris include morning and afternoon game drives exploring Chobe National Park’s savannahs and woodlands.

Expect sightings of elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and more.

Wildlife & Nature Experiences: Enjoy exceptional birdwatching with over 450 recorded species, from African fish eagles and kingfishers to vibrant bee-eaters.

Photography safaris offer the chance to capture dramatic landscapes and close-up wildlife moments, whether from the deck of a boat or the seat of a safari vehicle.

Excursions & Cultural Highlights offer day trips to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in Zimbabwe, a visit to the local markets and cultural sites in Kasane Town or a short boat cruise to Namibia to meet the locals at an authentic Namibian village.

Day 4 – 7 | Meno A Kwena Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans

Transfer by light aircraft from Kasane to Maun International Airport where you will be collected and transferred for 1.5-2 hours to Meno A Kwena camp.

Perched above the Boteti River on the edge of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Meno A Kwena offers a safari experience rich in character, contrast, and connection.

Adults are drawn to its elevated river views, seasonal zebra migration, and floating hide, perfect for quiet observation and dramatic photography.

Children, meanwhile, delight in tracking footprints in the sand, meeting meerkats at sunrise, and listening to San Bushmen stories under star-filled skies.

With cultural walks, guided game drives, and a rustic camp atmosphere that invites curiosity, Meno A Kwena is a place where families unplug, explore, and share the magic of Botswana’s wild heart.

Day 7 | Departure

After a final morning game experience and leisurely breakfast, you will transfer back to Maun Airport by road where your onward journey begins, whether heading home or continuing your travels.

 

In Botswana, the magic of safari belongs to everyone, especially the young explorers who see it all for the first time.

Along the lush banks of the Chobe River, young explorers watch wide-eyed as elephants wade through the shallows, trunks raised like periscopes.

Every game drive becomes a treasure hunt, every footprint a clue in nature’s grand puzzle.

Then, in the vast openness of the Makgadikgadi, the magic shifts: meerkats pop up from their burrows at sunrise, curious and comical, welcoming families into their sunlit world.

From the thunder of hooves to the stillness of the pans, Botswana’s wild spaces offer unforgettable moments for curious young minds.

At Chobe Safari Lodge, families settle into a boutique riverside retreat on the banks of the Chobe River, where elephants parade along the water’s edge and boat cruises reveal hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife.

With family suites, sleeper couches, and a rim-flow pool, it’s a safe and inspiring base for young adventurers.

Then the landscape shifts. At Meno A Kwena, perched above the Boteti River on the edge of the Makgadikgadi, the desert comes alive.

Here, children wake to meerkats standing sentry at sunrise, track footprints in the sand, and listen to stories under star-filled skies.

The camp’s rustic charm and immersive activities, from cultural walks to floating hides, make it a place of wonder and connection.

Together, these two lodges offer a safari circuit rich in contrast and perfect for families: river and desert, elephants and meerkats, comfort and curiosity.

Location

Chobe Safari Lodge, bordering the Chobe National Park, and Meno A Kwena, bordering the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, offer excellent wildlife access but operate in public or community-managed areas, meaning sightings may be shared and activities are more regulated.

While off-roading and exclusive traversing aren’t permitted, wildlife sightings remain abundant and deeply immersive.

Areas included in this package: Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park, Botswana’s first and most biologically diverse park, stretches across 11,700 square kilometres of floodplains, woodlands, and savannas in the country’s far north.

Chobe is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa, over 50,000 strong.

These majestic herds are often seen along the Chobe River, especially during the dry season, where they gather in dramatic numbers to drink, bathe, and socialize.

The park is also home to lion, leopard, buffalo, antelope, and over 450 bird species, offering exceptional game viewing year-round.

From sunset cruises on the river to game drives across the Savuti Marsh, the park delivers a rich variety of safari experiences in one of Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas.

Areas included in this package: Makgadikgadi Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans are among the largest salt flats in the world, offering an unparalleled safari experience in one of Africa’s most remote landscapes.

The Pans are remnants of an ancient super lake that once covered much of Botswana, creating a scene of absolute isolation and beauty.

Stretching across a stark, shimmering horizon, these pans offer a surreal landscape where flamingos gather in seasonal waters, and meerkats stand watch on scorched salt layers.

During the dry season, the silence is profound.

In the rains, the desert transforms into a lush haven for migrating zebra, wildebeest and flamingos.

It’s a place of extremes, both hauntingly empty and unexpectedly alive.

Curated Experiences

Uncover the unique character of each camp and lodge and explore the experiences that set them apart.

Every property offers its own distinctive charm, from setting and style to activities and atmosphere.

Leveraging our extensive local expertise, we ensure you enjoy the very best each destination has to offer, tailored to your interests and travel style.

Day 1 – 4 | Chobe Safari Lodge, Kasane, Chobe

Arrive at Kasane Airport for your short transfer to Chobe Safari Lodge.

Guests at Chobe River Lodge can enjoy a rich variety of activities including river safaris, game drives, fishing, birdwatching, and day trips to Victoria Falls.

These experiences cater to both adventure seekers and families looking for immersive wildlife encounters.

River-Based activities include morning and sunset boat cruises to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife and guided fishing trips catering to all levels.

Land-Based safaris include morning and afternoon game drives exploring Chobe National Park’s savannahs and woodlands.

Expect sightings of elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, and more.

Wildlife & Nature Experiences: Enjoy exceptional birdwatching with over 450 recorded species, from African fish eagles and kingfishers to vibrant bee-eaters.

Photography safaris offer the chance to capture dramatic landscapes and close-up wildlife moments, whether from the deck of a boat or the seat of a safari vehicle.

Excursions & Cultural Highlights offer day trips to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in Zimbabwe, a visit to the local markets and cultural sites in Kasane Town or a short boat cruise to Namibia to meet the locals at an authentic Namibian village.

Day 4 – 7 | Meno A Kwena Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans

Transfer by light aircraft from Kasane to Maun International Airport where you will be collected and transferred for 1.5-2 hours to Meno A Kwena camp.

Perched above the Boteti River on the edge of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Meno A Kwena offers a safari experience rich in character, contrast, and connection.

Adults are drawn to its elevated river views, seasonal zebra migration, and floating hide, perfect for quiet observation and dramatic photography.

Children, meanwhile, delight in tracking footprints in the sand, meeting meerkats at sunrise, and listening to San Bushmen stories under star-filled skies.

With cultural walks, guided game drives, and a rustic camp atmosphere that invites curiosity, Meno A Kwena is a place where families unplug, explore, and share the magic of Botswana’s wild heart.

Day 7 | Departure

After a final morning game experience and leisurely breakfast, you will transfer back to Maun Airport by road where your onward journey begins, whether heading home or continuing your travels.