Botswana : Linyanti

The Linyanti Reserve is a 275,000 acre private reserve on Chobe's Western boundary. The region is the dry season (June through October) range of much of Chobe's wildlife, and huge concentrations of migratory species such as Zebra and Elephant can be seen. The Reserve has 3 main areas - the Linyanti River, the woodlands of the interior and the famous Savuti Channel. The Savuti Channel is a 'waterway' that connects the Linyanti River with the interior of the Chobe National Park at the Savuti Marsh. However the Savuti flowed intermittently at the best of times and dried up completely in 1980. Today the Savuti Channel is an open grassland that is ideal predator country - lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog are all found here. The area was made famous by the National Geography film 'Africa's Stolen River' followed by many other films by Derek and Beverly Joubert. About two thirds of the Channel is in the private reserve. The Linyanti region is shared between a very small number of private camps, ensuring that guests are able to view the abundant wildlife privately and exclusively. The private reserves of Selinda and Kwando are private concessions, which lie in a largely undiscovered area of riverine forest and vast flood plains and have large numbers and varieties of game, which can be seen either on foot, by boat or by 4WD vehicles.

Quick links:
Duma Tau	Savuti Camp
Kwando Lagoon Camp	Selinda Camp
Lebala Camp	Zibalianja Camp

Duma Tau
Duma Tau is a 10 roomed luxury tented camp, in the private 125 000 hectare Linyanti Wildlife Reserve which borders the western boundary of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. The camp is built on raised decks under a shady grove of mangosteen trees, overlooking a large hippo-filled lagoon on the Linyanti waterways. The source of the Savuti Channel is close to the camp and game drives along the Savuti are one of the highlights of the camp.
The rooms are spacious, raised off the ground and under thatch with canvas walls, allowing guests to enjoy the night sounds of Africa from the comfort of their rooms.
Activities are diverse and you can spend time on the water, on land and occasionally on foot. You can go on day and night game drives along the Savuti Channel and the banks of Linyanti River. There are many hides in the area where you can enjoy wildlife viewing close up and away from a vehicle. One of the best hides is right at the source of the Savuti and is an excellent game and bird viewing spot.
The area is famous for its Elephant concentrations in our winter months and for the great game viewing all year. Huge herds of elephant congregate in winter along the waterways and lagoons - and at the waterholes that are located along the Savuti Channel. During these dry months Sable and Roan traverse the flood plains. All the predators..... lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog feast on the plains game which is prolific in the area.

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boat	camp	elephant

arial view	pool	room

Kwando
Kwando is a private concession area situated in Northern Botswana in the heart of big game country. It encompasses a huge diversity of ecosystems including over 80 km of the Kwando River and supports a large variety and quantity of animals and birds. There are 2 camps in this part of the concession. Activities at both camps include morning and evening game drives in open 4-wheel drive vehicles, walking, fishing and provides skilled professional staff, wholesome food, fine wines and traditional warm hospitality.

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Kwando Lagoon Camp
The camp lies on the banks of the Kwando River shaded by tall and ancient African ebony and marula trees. There are 6 luxury tents overlooking the river with en suite bathrooms and tastefully furnished with hand made teak furniture. Guests are taken on sundowner boat cruises and fly fishing for tiger fish and bream.

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camp	setting	tent

Lebala Camp
Lebala Camp is situated 40km away and looks onto the Linyanti wetlands and across wide-open grasslands dotted with Illala palms. There are 8 luxury tents built on raised teak decks, with Victorian claw foot baths and open air showers. Each tent is secluded and has its own sun deck.

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bathroom	bedroom	tent

Savuti Camp
Savuti Camp is situated in the southern part of the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Northern Botswana. It is built along the Savuti Channel and can accommodate eight guests at a time. The Savuti Channel is a fantastic area for game, best known for its large number of predators and very good Elephant viewing. The channel stopped flowing in 1980 and what was a Hippo filled river is now wide open grassland, the perfect hunting ground for predators. Savuti Camp is a small and intimate tented camp in an isolated area, far from any crowds. If you are looking for a true bush experience, Savuti Camp should not be missed.
Accommodation is in five large comfortable tents with en suite bathrooms. There is a separate dining room and bar under reed and thatch, as well as a plunge pool (which elephants often drink out of during the dry season!). Three of the tented rooms have bathrooms inside and two of the rooms have open air bathrooms with two of the best bathroom views in Africa.
As Savuti Camp is within the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, activities are not limited to the rules and regulations of Chobe therefore it is possible to do day game drives, night drives and walks with an armed guide. There are also a number of elevated hides where guests can view animals quietly and safely away from vehicles. The highlight for many guest is to spend the late afternoon in the Leadwood log pile hide next to the waterhole in front of camp as the Elephants (90 – 100 per day) come down to drink.

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camp	in front of camp	cheetah kill

elephant approach	log pile hide	tent interior

Selinda Reserve

The Selinda Reserve is a private wildlife concession that links the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti Swamps along the Selinda spillway. There are two simple but exclusive camps at which to stay.

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game viewing	giraffe	lagoon

Selinda Camp
Situated on the banks of the Selinda Spillway over looking open floodplains and palm islands. The Selinda Camp is a small personal 12 bed camp under canvas. The tents are large airy Merus with fly sheets, shade net covers and en-suite facilities complete with hot and cold shower, hand basin and flush toilet. The thatched central dining area is a double-tier building comprised of a lounge, reading area and dining area. Excellent views of passing game can be had from the upstairs as it overlooks the Selinda Channel where hippo lazily gaze at the guests. Activities are conducted in 4x4 vehicles at dawn and in the late afternoon with qualified professional guides. Night game drives, walking safaris and canoeing are also activities that are offered.

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tent	tent interior	lion

Zibalianja Camp
Zibalianja Camp is set on a palm island near to the lagoon overlooking the flood plains. With a tented mess tent and open fire for evening sundowners. A small, intimate camp, there are only three tents to accommodate 6 guests. You will be taken out by a professional guide to view game on day and night drives or on a bush walk and will have the chance to see elephant, lion, kudu and wild dog amongst the multitude of game in the area. You may even have the chance to be involved in the monthly game counts.

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tent interior	sunset	tent

A speciality of Selinda is the 2 night, 3 day bush walk. You will walk up to 10 km per day at a leisurely pace in the morning and arrive at your comfortable fly camp, welcomed with an iced drink and the rest of the day to relax or go on an evening drive or walk. Covering 521sq miles, the Selinda Reserve is a private exclusive wildlife concession that links the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti Swamps along the Selinda Spillway. These small intimate camps provide excellent game-viewing and cater for a high level of comfort. The Selinda area is well known for its hippo-killing lions, cheetah, wild dog, and leopard. Excellent sightings of plains game such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, lechwe and elephant are also common.

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tent interior	tent	walking safari