When you want to head out with your family for some quality time you need to focus on how you want to make the most of the holidays ahead. Different families have different preferences and choices and therefore you need to focus on how you want to provide your loved ones with the best holiday experiences. A safari trip is a great way to get out in the wild and explore nature with your family and kids. This also provides you with an opportunity to break your routine and discover more about the planet you live on.
Africa has always been the mecca for safari enthusiasts, wildlife and bird life lovers. While South Africa and Kenya are among the top family safari destinations in the world, you can always look for other destinations like Botswana that offer you a lot more. Over the years, Botswana has emerged as one of the leading safari destinations in the world. Hence, you can head for a safari in Botswana that would help you create some of the most memorable moments of your life.
One of the key highlights, when you visit Botswana, is the Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. This delta is home to a large number of animals, predators and birds that thrive on it. Here you can find some of the most endangered species on the planet like the white rhinoceros, African wild dog, lion, and cheetah. Also, you can visit various game reserves that are government-owned and that can offer you experiences which are very similar to that of national parks in Botswana.
If you are heading to Botswana you can head out to these 4 family-friendly national parks in the country.
Chobe National Park
Considered one of the premier national parks in Botswana, Chobe National Park attracts plenty of family tourists from around the world. Being Botswana’s first national park it also has a lot of diversity in terms of landscape and is a true wildlife paradise. If you are interested in seeing herds of elephants, Chobe National Park is the best place to visit across Africa. Believe it or not, Botswana has the densest population of elephants in the world and Chobe National Park has a majority of the numbers. Visiting this national park during the dry season from June to October is the best time to see more animals visiting the banks of the namesake river.
With plenty of affordable and luxury lodges, camps and accommodations, Chobe National Park ensures that you can enjoy some great views right from your porch. Here you can find African wild dogs, cape buffalo, civets, hippopotamus, crocodiles, giraffes, hyenas, lions, leopards, savanna elephants, puku, zebra and tsessebe. Chobe National Park is also home to more than 450 species of birds and makes an excellent place for birdwatching only if you bring the best binoculars for birdwatching. The national parks also include two wildlife areas: Savuti Marsh and the Chobe Riverfront. Both these areas are predator hotspots and ideal for some game-viewing experiences. Also, Chobe National Park is an ideal destination for boat safaris where you can go on mokoro rides and explore the Okavango Delta in the best way.
Nxai Pans National Park
While the Chobe National Park is among the most visited national parks in Botswana, the Nxai Pans National Park is the most well-kept secret of Botswana. Located on the northern side of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, this one can provide you with the best desert safari experience that you can get in Botswana. With scrubby vegetation, this is probably one of the best places where you can find giraffes, elephants, impalas, springboks, kudus and jackals. Also, there is a high probability that you can find hyenas, lions and cheetahs here looking for some food among the scanty vegetation.
The Baobab Loop is a 12-km circular route where most of the action happens because this is the main waterhole area therefore you will find many animals circling the area for water and predators waiting patiently for an easy kill. You can head for some 4X4 safari vehicles and explore the region and ensure that you can have the best game-viewing moments. Nxai Pans National Park is a great place for those who want to witness zebra migration in Botswana. Also, you can find plenty of bird species here that offer a great experience for bird enthusiasts.
Makgadikgadi National Park
Often many visitors are confused between the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Makgadikgadi National Park because of the similarity of names. However, in reality, both offer a unique and different experience. While the national park does have a few open salt-crusted flats but the fact is that there is more vegetation here than in the salt pans. This one is ideal for families looking for a peaceful time in Botswana. Also, this is the perfect place for Big Five sightings and you don’t have to wander far to search for them.
The highlight of this national park is the Boteti River which is a lifeline for many animals that depend on the national park. Here you can find vast herds of elephants, zebras, wildebeests and other herbivores like giraffes and springboks. The dry season begins in May and ends in October which also brings a lot of predatory activity. If you are looking for some fun activity time on an African safari with kids you can enjoy some quad-biking here.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park
When it comes to diversity Botswana can provide you with diverse landscapes and geographies that are hard to find elsewhere. This also leads to a diversity of animals and birds that you can find across Botswana. Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is one of its kind national parks that offers a unique desert safari experience. Here you will not be able to find most of those elephants, instead, you will find plenty of desert animals like the springbok, meerkats, antelopes, and other herbivores.
This is also a place for predatory action as you can find pride of black-manned lions, cheetahs and spotted hyenas looking for some share of food. The thorny and scanty vegetation makes it a great destination for a game-viewing experience and you can hop on to the 4X4 safari vehicles to catch some of the action. In terms of facilities and amenities, Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is not well equipped and therefore you will have to do with basic camping facilities.
Apart from these national parks, you can also explore various government-owned game reserves like Moremi Game Reserve which can provide you and your family with a memorable safari trip experience. These game reserves also have excellent accommodation, food and transport options allowing you to focus more on the safari experience rather than worrying about the arrangements.