Many safari tours have age restrictions on children. They strongly feel it is not safe for small children to be sitting in an open safari vehicle while viewing wildlife. Wild animals roam in close proximity to camps (which are not fenced) thus there is no doubt that this is a real risk to the children if they move about on their own. However, there are those camps that are child friendly. It is very important to choose tours and places that have taken children into account. The tours are planned around each family’s interest and budget.
Below is a sample itinerary for a family safari:
Young Explorers, Okavango Delta
The safari is conducted at Footsteps Camp, located in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Accommodations are in specially designed twin bedded, insect proof tents with double fly sheets with sewn-in floors. Each tent has its own bucket shower and bush toilet, and a daily laundry service is provided. The bush kitchen, run by our chef, who has many years experience working in the wilderness, will astound you. The high standard of bush cuisine, includes fresh fruits and vegetables, and selections of cheeses and South African wines as well as a stocked bar, soft drinks and bottled water … and of course plenty of ice!
Each family has the use of the private six-bedded camp, two professional guides, personal chef, waiter, housekeeper and mokoro guides. We are quite literally there to explore the bush at our leisure, while never losing sight of the fact that being in the wilderness is also about having fun. The safari includes:
* 3 nights fully inclusive accommodation
* An itinerary designed by a qualified Environmental Educator
* All activities including: game tracking in 4×4 safari vehicles, bird and animal identification, nature walks, night drives, mokoro excursions (seasonal) and possibly some fishing and boating
* All meals, snacks and selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
* Daily laundry service
Please note: Minimum age – seven years old, exceptions on application.
4 Days / 3 Nights Safari
DAY 1
Meet and greet assistance at Maun airport by a representative of Footsteps Camp who will show you to their plane. The flight is approximately 25 minutes and you will be amazed as the desert transforms to delta before your eyes. At the airstrip you are met by your guides and transfer in a 4×4 safari vehicle to camp.
Later in the afternoon it is time to begin your first lesson in bush craft and some rules regarding animal behavior and respect for all the inhabitants of the wilderness. We set out on a short walk, allowing you to become accustomed to some of the sights sounds and smells that make up the language of the African Bush.
DAY 2
The day begins before sunrise with coffee around the fire, and a light breakfast before heading out to see what the bush has in store for us. Following the water’s edge gives us the chance to examine some of the tracks left by overnight visitors, as well as identifying some of the multitude of animals, birds and insects that inhabit the forests. Following another delicious lunch prepared on charcoal, parents are left to a lazy afternoon napping or reading while their young cubs are watched over by their guides, recording the morning’s observations and discoveries in our Bush Journals, learning some traditional bush skills, such as basket weaving or carving the seed of the palm nut into a necklace for Mum! After no time at all, we are off out again, this time in the mokoro (dugout canoe) and if we are lucky we may spot the sitatunga, one of the world’s most unusual and secretive antelope, while your guides teach you some of the ways to survive in this vast wetland wilderness.
DAY 3
With the sunrise comes an introduction to driving large 4×4 vehicles, which are vital out here in the bush. Any idea how to change a tyre on a 4×4? While out and about we are sure to bump into some of the many species of large mammals that inhabit the Okavango Delta including wild dogs, elephants, lion, buffalo, cheetah, wildebeest and impala. Spending time quietly observing these mammals will give you an insight into the structure of their society and how we may understand them through their body language.
DAY 4
The morning is spent discussing your stay and your guides will ask you to identify several tracks, birds and animals, and to explain some of the skills that you might use to survive in the bush. After this informal bush evaluation you will then be awarded your Okavango Delta certificate making you an official member of a truly select group of bushrangers!! After farewells to the camp staff and your guides you transfer by light aircraft to Maun. Onward connections.
END OF TOUR ARRANGEMENTS!!!
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR THE APPLICABLE RATES
