Big Safari Adventures for Little Explorers at Mashatu

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, September 12, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / At Mashatu Game Reserve, the 42,000 hectare privately owned game reserve in eastern Botswana, younger travellers are encouraged to experience the African bush by following tracks, discovering wildlife, learning from experienced rangers and exploring the wilderness through hands-on activities.

From tracking spoor and identifying animal calls to discovering insects, bush skills and the smaller wonders of the wilderness, the Kids@ Mashatu Programme gives young travellers their own way into the African bush.

Designed for children aged 4–12, the Kids@ Mashatu Programme combines exploration, learning and play through a range of age-appropriate experiences. Activities are tailored according to each child’s age, interests and confidence, and vary according to the season, camp schedule, group size and length of stay.

For families, there is also reassurance in the depth of experience within the Mashatu team. Staff have an average tenure of 14 years, with some members of the team guiding at Mashatu for an impressive 45 years. This experience provides families with a knowledgeable and familiar team to introduce younger travellers to the African bush.

For children, a safari can be found in the details: a footprint in the sand becomes a mystery to solve, a bird call becomes a challenge to identify, and a beetle is worth stopping to investigate.

Through Bush Discovery Walks and Micro Safaris, children explore the areas around camp and lodge paths with a ranger, learning to identify trees, birds, nests, insects and reptiles, while practising basic tracking and recognising animal prints, spoor and other signs of wildlife.

Ranger Games and Animal Trivia bring wildlife learning to life through interactive activities including animal-call challenges, “Who Am I?”, dung detective and survival-skill quizzes.

For budding trackers, Spoor Tracks and Bush Crafts introduce children to animal footprints and other signs in the sand, with the opportunity to create plaster casts of selected tracks to take home. Children can also learn outdoor survival tips and plant use, as well as take part in target practice using safe, handmade slingshot tools.

Bush Bumble Drives offer younger children who may not yet be ready for a full game drive the opportunity to experience the reserve at a gentler pace. These shorter drives focus on birds, insects, tracks, plants and nearby animal behaviour.

Creative experiences also introduce elements of Botswana’s culture and early bush skills, with activities including making clay figures, stone-inspired tools and nature-based crafts using seeds, leaves and feathers.

The Kids@ Mashatu Programme is available at Kolokolo Safari Home, Mashatu Lodge and Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu, subject to availability and must be pre-booked before arrival. Families are encouraged to let their Kaelo Destinations reservationist know in advance if their children would like to participate, allowing the team to plan suitable activities wherever possible.

With the December and January school holidays approaching, families looking to experience Botswana together can begin planning their safari now. Mashatu’s Pay Stay and Extended Stay offers provide an opportunity for guests to extend their stay and spend more time exploring the reserve.