Meerkats and Megafauna Safari

Families come to the Kalahari for the unbeatable wide open spaces, for quad biking and star gazing on the Makgadikgadi salt pans, intimate meerkat encounters, and to experience a remote wilderness of the sort most people can only imagine.

Travellers don’t come here for condensed, easy wildlife viewings and encounters. Stretching over most of Botswana and into Namibia and South Africa, expect large distances and a lot of open spaces.

With the expert guidance of the nomadic San-bushmen, however, expect viewings of the majestic black-maned Kalahari lion, packs of brown hyenas and a huge zebra and wildebeest migration.

Widely regarded as one of the best places in Africa to see elephants, Chobe National Park is a wildlife-lovers paradise.

The famous Big Five and other iconic animals – such as the rare African wild dog and cheetah – can all be found on a bespoke safari holiday in the park.

Although Chobe can be busy in peak times, the sheer range available here makes a visit worth your time. Game drives and river boat safaris are particularly popular, but for those looking to discover some of the astounding 450 recorded bird species here specialist birding safaris are also available.

Many families enjoy getting a taste of Setswana culture, from fishing trips to visits to local villages. And day trips to the extraordinary Victoria Falls can also be arranged from Chobe National Park.

Following your international flight, you will be flown to the magical off-the-grid Camp Kalahari to begin your adventure on the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

One of only three camps in a one-million acre private wildlife reserve, Camp Kalahari feels like a secluded retreat amongst the acacias and mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island. Here relaxation is paramount, and guests can relax with a book in the traditionally-built thatch library or cool off in the large pool.

The camp’s accommodations are designed to reflect the traditional safari experience with stylishly decorated canvas tents, ensuring comfort without compromising the essence of being in the wild.

From the private verandas, guests can witness stunning sunsets and gaze upon the seemingly endless horizons of the salt pans.

Chobe Game Lodge has the enviable position of being the only permanent lodge located within the famously abundant Chobe National Park.

Chobe Game Lodge can house up to 94 guests in total luxury, and accommodates families with 3 family suites and a family room. All rooms benefit from the camp’s situation with riverside views and private terraces where you can lap up the bush’s environment for yourself.

For those looking to get out on the river, the elevated river boardwalk is the perfect spot for sundowners, a private dining experience or simply children wanting to get closer to the game in a contained environment.

Those looking for a culture fix can spend time walking with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen, all while observing the unique desert wildlife, from the resident meerkats to the brown hyena and bat eared foxes. 

Cultural experiences with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen in the Makgadikgadi salt pans offer a rare glimpse into one of the world’s oldest surviving cultures.

Walk alongside these skilled hunter-gatherers as they share traditional survival techniques, from tracking wildlife to identifying medicinal plants. The Bushmen’s deep connection to the land and their storytelling bring Botswana’s ancient landscapes to life.

The lodge’s picturesque position on the Chobe River’s bank allows guests to witness Africa’s largest concentration of elephants as well as buffalo who come to drink, bathe and play in the waters.

The famous Big Five and other iconic animals – such as the rare African wild dog and cheetah – can all be found on a bespoke safari holiday in the park.

Venturing outside of the camp’s grounds, guests can partake in family-friendly 4×4 drives, led by Africa’s first all-female guiding team.