5-Day Family Safari in Botswana — A First-Time Self-Drive Itinerary

Arrive at Maun International Airport and meet your expedition guide for a 5-Day Family Self-Drive Safari in Botswana, briefing, and vehicle handover.

Collect your family-sized 4×4 (e.g., Toyota Fortuner or Hilux double-cab with child seats), fully equipped with insurance and an emergency kit. Drive approximately 2 hours to the Moremi South Gate, enjoying your first glimpses of Botswana’s floodplains along the way.

After settling into a family-friendly, full-board lodge or tented camp near Third Bridge, head out on a late-afternoon game drive to spot elephants, zebras, hippos, and perhaps lions returning to water at dusk. Dinner and an early night under canvas or in a family suite—rest up for the adventures ahead.

Rise early for a sunrise self-drive game drive along the sandy tracks of the Moremi Game Reserve, famous for its high concentration of wildlife on Kameri and Xakanaxa floodplains. Mid-morning, switch to a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) boat excursion through the Okavango Delta channels—children love the quiet glide and close-up views of waterbirds, reedbuck, and the occasional hippo.

Enjoy a shaded picnic lunch on a floodplain island, then return to camp for a siesta or splash in the family pool. Late afternoon, opt for a guided game drive with an experienced local guide to learn about animal tracking and Delta ecology—great for curious young minds wanting to touch spoor and learn bush skills. Evening full-board dinner around the campfire, swapping wildlife stories before bedtime.

After breakfast, depart Moremi and head northeast into the Khwai community concession—just under 1½ hours’ drive—where community-run camps support local schools and conservation efforts. Stop en route at a traditional village to meet residents, try local foods, and see craft demonstrations—kids can help pound sorghum or learn a local dance.

Arrive at your full-board lodge overlooking the floodplain, then embark on a guided afternoon game drive in the concession area to see predators like leopards and wild dogs in a less crowded setting. Dinner at the lodge’s family dining area, followed by stargazing around the fire—Khwai’s dark skies offer spectacular views.

Depart Khwai after breakfast for Kasane (approx. 3 hours), gateway to Chobe National Park—home to Africa’s largest elephant herds.

Check in at a full-board riverfront lodge, then board a private Chobe River cruise at sunset—hippos, crocodiles, and huge tusker bulls gathering at the water’s edge make for unforgettable family photo ops. Return for dinner, or choose an optional night drive (if available) to spot nocturnal species like bushbabies and civets. Overnight in a family suite with all meals included.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the river, then self-drive back to Maun (approx. 5 hours) via the Kazungula border route—scenic and rich, with possible stops to view seasonal Zambezi floods.

Alternatively, cross into Zimbabwe for a 1‑hour drive to Victoria Falls. Vehicle cross-border permits and insurance are arranged in advance, and border fees run around €38–40 per vehicle per country. Drop off your vehicle at Maun Airport or continue your journey—perhaps taking a helicopter flight over the Delta or heading onward to Namibia’s Caprivi Strip for a further self-drive chapter.