Young Explorers Family safari in Botswana

On arrival in Maun, you are met and transferred by light aircraft into the Okavango Delta to the Shinde private concession. At the Shinde airstrip you are met by the staff from Footsteps Camp and transferred via 4×4 vehicle to the camp for your three nights family safari.

Later in the afternoon it is time to begin your first lesson in bush craft and some rules regarding animal behaviour and respect for all the inhabitants of the wilderness. You 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.

You return to camp for a piping hot bucket shower under the stars followed by a tasty dinner. Around the campfire we discuss the lessons of the day and learn more about Botswana, the history of the country and its people. For those that can stay awake long enough you can examine some of the stars in the African night sky before heading to bed – ready for an early start the next day.

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. Following the water’s edge gives you 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 kids are watched over by the 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, you are off out again, this time in the mokoro (dugout canoe) and if you are lucky you 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.

In the evening it’s off to the bush kitchen to be astounded as you learn how the mouth-watering fare is produced on the fire and fresh bread and cakes in the amazing bush oven.

With the sunrise comes an introduction to driving large 4×4 vehicles, which is vital out here in the bush. Any idea how to change a tyre on a 4×4? While out on a game drive 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 you can understand them through their body language.

That afternoon while Dad’s snores echo around camp you may learn some of the rules and skills required in order to handle a rifle safely. This is an important tool in our world is not a toy, and should be respected at all times! Under your guide’s experienced and watchful eyes you can learn to shoot our pellet gun on our own bush range! Later, you may wish to try your angling skills Okavango style, either along the banks of lagoons and channels or, for the more adventurous from the mokoro! Here you will learn how to catch, handle and release a fish correctly ensuring you do it no harm, though you may wish to keep a couple for dinner!

The final dinner is a celebration, toasting new friends, reminiscing over unique experiences and lifelong memories. The grown ups would like to drift off to sleep with the ever-present chorus of the hippos and the tinkle of the reed frogs. But for the trainee bush rangers it is the perfect opportunity to head off with a spotlight to try and identify some of the many species that wake up as the sun sets!!

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, the Young Explorers!! After farewells to the camp staff and your guides you transfer by 4 x 4 vehicle back to the airstrip for your light aircraft transfer to Maun.