Natural Habitat Adventures is rolling out updates to its 2018 Family Botswana Safari, offering more destinations, wildlife habitats and activities in a the 10-day safari.
Ben Bressler, founder and president of Natural Habitat Adventures, shares five new elements of this revamped Family Botswana Safari itinerary that’s designed for multi-generational explorers:
- A diverse new itinerary includes the Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls. Highlights include desert-adapted species in the Kalahari including the famous black-maned lions; large elephant herds in the Moremi Game Reserve along with frequent sightings of lion and leopard; hippo and crocodile in delta waterways; and plentiful plains game frequenting camp waterholes and lagoons.
- More activities for all ages (from a minimum age of six). Along with classic game drives, guests can opt for bush walks led by Kalahari Bushmen, excursions by boat and canoe, a chance to ride quad bikes across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, a helicopter ride over the Kalahari, a guided tour of Victoria Falls, and an overnight in elevated Skybeds under the stars.
- "Flightsee" over the Kalahari by helicopter. Guests fly between camps from the western to eastern side of the Kalahari, surveying the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans and looking down on roving wildlife. The group is divided among several helicopters, with just three passengers in each, so everyone gets a great view.
- Small camps on private reserves improve chances of wildlife viewing in close proximity: Meno a Kwena sits on the Boteti River with a view on Africa’s second largest wildebeest and zebra migration (occurring during these departures); Sable Alley overlooks a lagoon featuring lively wildlife activity including a resident hippo pod; and Camp Kalahari is surrounded by uniquely desert-adapted wildlife and a friendly resident colony of meerkats. In Victoria Falls, Ilala Lodge is the closest accommodation to the falls, within walking distance.
- Sleep under the stars in “Skybeds” in the Okavango Delta. Deep within the private Khwai Reserve, rustic-yet-comfortable Skybeds give adventurous visitors an opportunity to sleep in the open, safely elevated on three-story platforms above wildlife below. Skybeds overlook a waterhole that attracts elephant, lion, hyena, eland, zebra and kudu, plus smaller nocturnal creatures. Each lantern-lit Skybed includes a private, enclosed en suite flush toilet. This option is available at Sable Alley Camp.
Other highlights of this family safari include:
- Small groups: just 13 guests are divided into two smaller groups in two separate safari vehicles for wildlife drives
- Open side (“window”) seats for all in 4x4 vehicles used on game drives
- Chartered light aircraft between camps, maximizing time on safari while avoiding long drives on rough, dusty roads
- A top Expedition Leader with the group from start to finish
- Local camp guides eager to share personal experience and knowledge
- Four departures: June 8-17, June 30 - July 9, July 13 - July 22 and August 3-12
Rates are $10,495 per adult, double (single supplement $2,395) and $7,995 per child ages six to 12 sharing in a twin. The safari begins in Maun, Botswana, and concludes at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Rates include scheduled internal light aircraft flights and helicopter transfer, accommodations, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on final day, non-alcoholic drinks at camps and in vehicles, house alcoholic beverages in camps, laundry in camps, services of NHA Expedition Leader, local guides and lodge staff, some gratuities, all permits, entrance fees and taxes.
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