Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is nestled in the most northern region of Botswana, bordering the Caprivi strip of Namibia. The private concession is considered the remotest area in Botswana. As such, the camps located upon it are the most exclusive.

While not officially a part of Chobe National Park, many of its wildlife spend the winter months in the Linyanti area, ensuring that there are great wildlife sightings throughout the year.

But despite its rich game life of elephants, zebra, wild dogs and predators like lion, Linyanti remains one of Botswana’s undiscovered gems. Wherever you choose to stay in Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, know that you will be met with unparalleled beauty.

The Unique Experience

Even more diverse than the Linyanti area’s wildlife population is its various landscapes. Open grasslands and waterholes line the banks of the Savuti Channel while inland there are spectacular mature woodlands of towering mopane trees and lead-wood forests, both home to massive herds of elephants during the winter months.

All of these areas are accessible to their guests and travellers can rest assured that their safari experience will be as authentic as possible. Accessible only by light aircraft, the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve’s status as a private concession means that guests will not experience ‘bush traffic’ like that in national parks.

Instead, Linyanti Reserve promises uninterrupted big game viewing without the crowds, as it should be. Whether guests choose to experience the area’s wildlife by game drive or by boat cruise on the Chobe River, know that you will not be disappointed, as the Linyanti Concession is one of Botswana’s most densely populated areas when it comes to game.

Not only are Linyanti Reserve’s landscapes beautiful, but they are also ideally located to open up an even larger world of safari adventures for their guests. Lying adjacent to Linyanti is the Selinda Concession, a smaller reserve comprised of predominantly floodplains. Elephants, along with numerous predators, call Selinda their home and the concession is a fine addition to any Botswana itinerary. A boat cruise, or even a fishing trip on the Selinda Spillway comes highly recommended! Even more exciting is Linyanti’s close proximity to the Okavango Delta.  Although often thought of as similar experiences, the two areas could not be more different and a safari itinerary including both of them is the perfect way to experience the vast diversity of Botswana’s natural world.

Accommodation

The reserve offers a variety of different accommodation options to suit all tastes, each one promising utter exclusivity within the reserve. One such lodging is Saile Camp. With just 4 meru-style tents, the camp is private as well as comfortable. While Saile is small in size, it’s big on its offerings. Its location in the LInynati Marshes promises year-round game viewing, with species the likes of lion, leopard, sable and other plains game all being frequently spotted on game drives and bush walks. The marshes are also highly sought after for their elephant and buffalo population during the winter months. For families, Linyanti Ebony Camp offers accommodation in eight spacious tents on raised wooden decks. The camp strikes the perfect balance between luxury accommodation and a down-to-earth safari experience. With no cell-phone or internet coverage, Ebony Camp prides itself on its ‘digital detox’. It also offers a plethora of safari activities, from mokoro trips to helicopter flips, through which to experience the area’s rich game and birdlife. Ebony’s sister camp, Linyanti Bush Camp offers year-round safari thrills, all within an exclusive and comfortable tented camp on the Linyanti marshes. Everything from mokoro tours, to guided nature walks and night drives are offered by Bush Camp and guests can take comfort in knowing that they will take comfort in one of 6 six luxury tents. The camp even comes complete with a swimming pool and its own library.