Highlights
- Exclusive use of Footsteps Camp
- Personal guides for all purposes
- Designed for families with children
- Inspirational and educational children's activities
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireOne of a series of safari camps run by Ker & Downey Botswana, Young Explorers offers families with children of all ages to explore the Okavango Delta region together. Families who want to feel closer to nature at the expense of everyday treats such as running water and electricity will enjoy the emphasis on exploring the surrounding Okavango Delta area as the first African explorers did: by foot and under canvas.
Activities have been planned with the whole family in mind. Parents can relax in an African Tin Tub, by the campfire, in hammocks, or in their tents and look out at the incredible views the pans provide whilst expertly trained Young Explorers guides entertain the children with a multitude of activities suitable for all ages. Both educational and inspiring, a child’s day could be spent enjoying sundowners over Paul’s Pan, making bows and arrows, exploring the Delta, catching game, learning how to prepare and cook ‘a catch’ over an open fire, and fun quizzes aimed at testing their knowledge of the bush. Stargazing is always an option for those children who are able to stay awake long enough.
Walking as a family through the wetland wilderness is a highlight of this true safari experience. Passionate, professional, and fun personal guides join the family on their travels at dawn, dusk, and during the day, and share their knowledge of the nature to educate and inspire the children. Families can expect to bump into a range of game, including the Big Five, and prolific birdlife including African jacana, pygmy-geese, goliath heron and migrant waders. Game drives, fishing opportunities, and excursions by mokoro (a type of canoe commonly used in the Okavango Delta) are also available, which all cater to educate the children about the ecosystem and skills for survival developed by local people. A fun game guides like to play with the children is to see who can stalk up to a giraffe the closest.
This is an authentic safari camping experience based in Footsteps Camp, which is booked out exclusively for the family. A symbol of a bygone era of exploration is the Meru-style tent, which serves as guest accommodation. Three of these tents make up the Camp, which can home a maximum of six family members. Comfortable twin beds are included in each tent, whilst the en-suite facilities consist of hot-water-filled buckets for showers and porcelain flush toilets. However, the children won’t be spending much time in their tents.
True to its self-proclaimed ‘Bush Kitchen’, the Camp’s high tea is made from scratch for all appetites on an open fire and in a charcoal oven by excellent and friendly chefs, which can sometimes peak the curiosity of nearby game such as hyena, hippo, and even elephants. The camp’s location offers shade for children during the heat of the day and an amazing atmosphere for families gathered round the fire at night.
The minimum age is 7 but exceptions may be made on request. There are three twin tents in camp, so the maximum family size is a family of 6. One of the three tents can be converted to sleep three, but families of four or more will have to split across the tents. We usually plan this experience as a 4 day three night safari.
Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again
Godfrey R
reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana
on 25 September 2023
We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil
Philip R
reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach
on 01 September 2023
It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve
Stephen H
reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari
on 01 September 2023