Linyanti & Selinda Reserves
Camps & Lodges
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is bordered by the Linyanti River on the north and Chobe National Park in the east. More than half of the Savute Channel is included in the reserve. Between 1980 and 2008 the channel was dry and much of the area was open grassland, home to a wide variety of animals. During 2008, the Savute Channel flowed, creating a water source that rapidly filled with aquatic life, wide varieties of water birds and hippo. There are only a few small safari camps in this 275,000 acre reserve, giving you an exceptionally exclusive wilderness experience. Unlike the watery Delta, this area is grassland, woodlands and marsh areas along the Linyanti River. The dry winter months here bring large herds of elephants and zebra to the river.
Duma Tau Camp
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
This camp was built under the vast arms of a grove of Mangosteen trees overlooking a large hippo-filled lagoon on the Linyanti waterways. Just across the Linyanti River to the north is the Caprivi Strip in Namibia. The name Duma Tau means "roar of the lion" and you will certainly hear them here. Day and night game drives along the Savuti Channel provide spectacular wildlife viewing including all the predators - lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and African wild dog who prey on impala, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, lechwe and other plains game. Herds of elephants congregate near the water in the dry season. En-suite rooms are spacious, raised off the ground and under thatch with canvas walls. Each room has an additional shower outdoors with a view of the river.
Kings Pool Camp
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
This is where the King of Sweden first pitched his royal tent decades ago. Today this is a spectacularly luxurious camp overlooking the Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River. Each beautifully appointed and spacious suite has bedroom and lounge area, en-suite bath with two showers and hand basins and separate flush toilet. Open the door to your own wildlife viewing platform with private plunge pool, outdoor shower and sala with picturesque views. The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for bird lovers and a magnet for game in the dry season. Kings Pool features two hides where guests can view game up close and in perfect safety. During the heat of the afternoon, elephants
and others come to drink and cool off. One hide is underground giving a water level view of elephant feet and trunks which are almost within touching distance. The camp's double-decker pontoon boat cruises the Linyanti River offering guests an opportunity to view birds and game from the water. Day and night game drives are also offered.
Savuti Camp
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
This camp was built about ten miles downstream from the source of the Savute Channel which had not flowed since 1980. Then in 2008 the channel flowed again. Today this area has a high concentration of plains wildlife and the wide open grassland offers top notch game viewing in open 4x4 Land Rovers. The highlight of Savuti is the waterhole close to camp that attracts large numbers of animals. Afternoon tea on the shaded deck is show time. Large populations of elephant can be seen here, often in camp and once in a while when competition at the waterhole proves too much, they've been known to drink from the swimming pool. This seven-tent camp has an intimate feel and was designed to give each en-suite room a fantastic view of the channel. The entire camp is raised off the ground on wooden decks giving animals a free pass through while keeping guests safe.
Selinda Reserve
This 320,000-acre private wildlife reserve straddles both the Okavango Delta in the west and the Linyanti wetlands and savannahs in the east. The reserve is rich in game and famous for its low tourist density which offers a peaceful and private wildlife-viewing experience. There are still places in this reserve where no person has ever set foot before.
The Selinda Reserve follows the course of the Selinda Spillway as it connects the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti and Kwando river systems. The Selinda Spillway is a river that can flow in two directions, depending on where the water levels are the highest. In some years it flows in both directions with water pushing one way from the Linyanti waterways and another way from the waters of the Okavango Delta. It’s rare, but sometimes these water systems from opposite directions join together.
Selinda Camp
Selinda Reserve
Selinda Camp was completely rebuilt and re-opened in 2007. It sits on the banks of the eastern Selinda Spillway - a waterway that links Botswana's Okavango Delta to the Linyanti and Kwando marshes, rivers and floodplains. The nine spacious guest tents under thatch feature en-suite bathrooms, full sized stone baths, antique showers and dual vanity basins. Guests can enjoy day and night game drives in custom-built 4x4 Land Cruisers with experienced guides. The area is famous for elephant and lions, wild dogs and hippos, buffalo and giraffe. The hippo-killing lions of the Selinda are part of what has made this region famous by Dereck and Beverly Joubert in their National Geographic films and books from the Selinda area, (Ultimate Enemies, Hunting with the Moon, The African Diaries). The hunting of large prey by lions is legendary and a highlight, but random of course. Don't bank on it but always keep an eye out. Selinda Camp is owned by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers for National Geographic.
July, 2010 Update: A new family tent has been added with a large bedroom for children with a private deck and access to the en-suite facilities.
Selinda Canoe Trail
Selinda Reserve
The Selinda Canoe Trail replicates the safari experiences of old as you navigate along the Selinda Spillway over four days, camping for three nights along the banks of the river at the end of the day. Dome tents are furnished with a comfortable bedroll and quality linens. Meals are prepared on the fire by the cook to enhance the “old school” experience. Hot bucket showers are a nice way to end the day. The total distance of the canoe trail is only about 43 miles so this canoe experience is appealing to travelers of all ages. Days are spent paddling along in two-person canoes, stopping whenever there is something of interest along the banks. The area is a birding paradise and well known for elephant, buffalo, sable antelope, roan antelope, wild dog. You could very well come across cheetah, lion, leopard and variety of other species. This safari operates from May to October with experienced guides and camp crew.
