Botswana Family Safari with Teenagers

Welcome to Africa! Your adventure begins at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. You'll have a welcome meeting at 2 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and the other families who will be joining you for your adventure. After, you’ll start exploring this thundering curtain of water – about 1708 m (5600 ft) wide, falling 108 m (354 m) into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray can rise up to an incredible 400 m (1312 ft) and the Falls become an impressive, raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the Falls is unobstructed by spray, and you can see little islets in the river below. If you arrive early, don’t hesitate to get out and start exploring on your own! You can choose from a range of activities and excursions, including whitewater rafting, canoeing and helicopter flights.

Have breakfast and pack up camp, then travel to Chobe National Park. Botswana's first national park, Chobe is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants, which can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts wallowing hippos, cheetahs and lions in search of a drink, crocodiles lying in the sun by the water's edge and a variety of birdlife like the white-backed night heron, vibrant Schalow's turaco and the western banded snake eagle. Later, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River – a relaxing way to spend the afternoon with the family.

Head out on an exciting game drive through Chobe National Park. You might spot cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffalo, lions and antelopes. Then, hit the road and make your way to Nata, where you'll spend the evening at Elephant Sands Lodge. A natural waterhole right in front of the lodge is a popular spot for the local elephants, who frequently come for a drink. Watch these incredible creatures whilst they drink only a couple of meters away from you – a moment you and the kids are sure to remember. Keep an eye out for the other wildlife that roams this unfenced 16,000 ha private conservancy, including buffalo, lions, giraffes, wild dogs, hyena, steenbok, leopards and kudu.

Get ready for another long travelling day on the road to Maun, the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems – the Okavango Delta. This 16,000-sq-km maze of wetlands is made up of meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats. Tonight, you'll stay at a campsite on the outskirts of Maun. Get some rest as camp tonight – tomorrow morning, you’re heading into the Delta for a full day of cruising and exploring.

Cruise around the waterways of the Okavango Delta by mokoro – a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers'. With some luck, you might spot some of the Delta's rare wildlife including hippos, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, buffalo and an abundance of birdlife (there are more than 560 recorded bird species here!). Spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness. In this remote spot, facilities aren't available – this means digging a bush toilet and going without a shower (all part of the Okavango experience). At night, fall asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African wilderness.

Wake up early and head out for a sunrise walk. Along the way, keep an eye out for elephants and maybe even some Cape buffalo, if the timing is right. These rather noble-looking creatures are more dangerous than they look, and their horns make for a kind of bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Return to camp for breakfast, then enjoy free time for the rest of the day. You might like to take the opportunity to relax at camp, or you could take another mokoro trip to soak up more of the delightful river atmosphere.

After breakfast, take a mokoro back to the poling station. Then, continue to Maun, where you’ll have a free day at the campsite. There’s the option to go on a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, where you'll get a bird's-eye view of the shimmering waterways and lush landscapes – a captivating perspective of one of the world's most unique ecosystems.

Embrace another early morning start as you hit the road to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, this former hunting area has now been turned into a conservation project. Built to protect Botswana's only remaining populations of both black and white rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which can be seen around the many natural waterholes. Your visit to this project supports local communities and contributes to the protection of the white rhinoceros. Later, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they’re at their most active.

Leaving Botswana behind, cross the border into South Africa and arrive at Marakele National Park in the afternoon. This national park has diverse terrain, making it easy to spot a variety of wildlife – you might see gemsbok, mongoose, African wild cats, black-backed jackals, warthogs, a range of birdlife and maybe even a black-maned lion, if you’re lucky. If time allows, you’ll go on an afternoon game drive in the park before settling into camp for your final night in the wilderness.

After breakfast, drive to Johannesburg. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon, bringing you to the end of your trip. If you'd like to extend your stay in Johannesburg, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.