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Young Explorers

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Exclusive use of Footsteps Camp
- Personal guides for all purposes
- Designed for families with children
- Inspirational and educational children's activities

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Overview

One 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.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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