Linyanti

Botswana's big game area

 

The Greater Linyanti Region encompasses the Linyanti, Selinda, Kwando and Chobe Enclave. Bordered by the Kwando and Linyanti Rivers the region now benefits from the flooded Selinda Spillway, which was dry for many years but is now a major attraction for wildlife and game viewing alike.

 

We consider the Greater Linyanti to be the larger region to the north of the Okavango Delta where it is much drier and less effected by the Delta floods.

 

This area is exceptionally wild and seemingly untouched by human habitation, thus game viewing here can be magnificent. There are no fences in the whole region and therefore the game is not restricted in its movement. This is where you will see the vast herds of buffalo and elephant backed up by a very healthy population of predators. Greater Linyanti is one of the best areas in Africa to witness wild dogs and den sites have been recorded now for many years.

 

Activities in the region are wide ranging and include the mainstay of incredible game drives which also allow for night drives and the ability to drive of road when following predators. More specialised activities include walking safaris, an amazing 45km Canoe Trail down the Selinda Spillway and spectacular horse riding at Motswiri.

 

In our opinion, we at Safari Lifestyles believe that these regions are some of the best in Botswana to visit.

Linyanti Reserves

 

Kwando Reserve

This reserve is simply a safari paradise. The reserve itself is vast and is made up Mopane forest and thicket to the west where literally thousands of elephant spend their day before trailing up to the northeast through areas of open plains and palm tree islands leading to the waters of the Kwando River. Huge herds of buffalo wander through and the predator interaction is second to none.

 

Wild Dogs have been denning habitually in the area thus giving the traveller pretty much unrivalled excitement and viewing opportunity. Do not be at all surprised if you find your self thundering through the bush in pursuit with these hunters who seemingly ignore your presence… if you really want to understand one of the great aspects of being on safari and how you can get so close to nature, then this experience is a must!

 

In this respect, perhaps what makes the area so special are the concession managers and their two Lodges, Lebala and Lagoon which have free reign in the region. Their guide and tracker policy coupled with limited seats on a vehicle is pretty much unique in Botswana, and their sheer enthusiasm for a wild game experience surely puts them close to the top when it comes to your adventure.

 

In this area it isn’t really about how many stars the lodges have (although you certainly won’t be disappointed), it’s more about being there…!

 

Selinda Reserve

Travelling down south from the Kwando River you will reach the Selinda reserve. The area itself is similar to the drier open regions of the Kwando reserve and shares its magnificent wildlife. This area however has the benefit of the Selinda spillway. The spillway was for many years dry but since 2009 the water has connected the two areas of the Linyanti River and the Okavango delta, the consequences for wildlife have been dramatic and numbers have increased accordingly.

 

The flowing spillway gives the region a different complexion to is near neighbours and provides the lodge owners with some unique activities. Motswiri camp offers walking safaris and specifically horse riding safaris with their permanent stables. Selinda Canoe Trails host a 45km canoe expedition up the Selinda Spillway itself camping en-route in fly-camps.

 

As it shares its area within the Greater Linyanti, the game viewing is equally as spectacular as its neighbours, testament to the fact is that the Selinda Camp and the opulent and exclusive Zarafa Camp, with their proximity to the spillway and the Zibalianja Lagoon, are under the banner of the Great Plains Conservation group, owned in part by the renowned filmmakers, Derek and Beverly Joubert.

 

Linyanti Reserve

Moving east of the Selinda area, The Linyanti reserve is the preserve of the mighty Wilderness Safaris, a company that specialises in high-class accommodation. The Linyanti River borders the reserve to the north and to the east by the Savute area of the Chobe National Park, again, it shares similar habitat to its other large Kwando and Selinda neighbours but its closer proximity to Savute does make a difference.

 

Like the Selinda spillway, the Savute channel was dry for many years and only served as a reminder of a water course that connected the Zibalianja Lagoon to the Savute Marsh, certainly living up to its reputation as the famed “stolen river”, but happily since 2008 however it has been flowing freely. Here again, the effect on wildlife has been to bring in species that were rarely seen such as hippo and water birds.

 

Chobe Enclave Community Concession

To the very north you have the small and relatively remote Chobe Enclave community concession. The area is edged between the now flooded Linyanti marsh and Chobe National Park. The Linyanti marsh and swamps here are pretty much the only source of water in the area outside of the rainy season and since 2009 has provided near permanent water allowing for great wildlife viewing.