Africa

Linyanti Marshes, Selinda Reserve & Kwando River

Three large, private game reserves are located beside the Kwando and Linyanti Rivers in northern Botswana and all are home to huge animal populations. Concentrations of elephant and buffalo are very high in the dry season, whilst red lechwe, impala and sable antelope also congregate around the perenial river waters. Within the riverine forest and on the open plains wildebeest, giraffe, kudu and zebra are also common, whilst lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog are found throughout the region.

Similar to the exclusive reserves in the Okavango Delta there is a wide range of game activities offered from the camps and lodges here including bush walks, day & night game drives (with off-road driving) and boat trips.

Covering a total area of 1350 sq. km the Selinda Reserve is centered on the famous Selinda Spillway, which weaves its way east, linking the far reaches of the Okavango Delta in the south with the Linyanti water systems in the east forming a magnet for the wildlife of the region. There are just two small camps in this area enhancing the feeling of remoteness and solitude. Selinda Camp has nine tents on the banks of the Selinda Spillway, a unique seasonal waterway which links the Okavango Delta with the game-rich floodplains of the Linyanti Swamps, whilst Zarafa Camp on the eastern side of the reserve has just four luxury tents overlooking the Zibadianja lagoon. Those with an ever-keen sense of adventure can spend a few nights canoeing between the two camps, spending nights in fly camps (dome tents with bucket showers)  for an unforgettable bush experience. Under the eagle eye of your professional guide you follow the animal trails through the bush, before reaching your camp in the evening with the fires burning, the smell of dinner roasting on the open coals and a glass of chilled wine at the ready. The area is well known for elephant, buffalo, sable antelope, roan antelope and wild dog and cheetah, lion and leopard are occasionally seen. 

Kwando Reserve meanwhile lies to the north-west of Selinda and covers a total area of 2300 sq. km. The terrain consists of mopane woodland, open plains and riverine forest. Both Lagoon Camp, situated on the banks of the Kwando River in the north of the reserve, and Lebala Camp in more open grassland plains to the south, offer expert guiding in a region renowned for its big game.

Consisting of a total of 1250 sq. km the magical Linyanti Reserve is bordered to the north by the Linyanti River and to the east by the Chobe National Park. Two thirds of the Savuti Channel runs through the reserve. Boasting a variety of habitats including grassland, acacia and mopane forests, there are also numerous waterholes along the Savuti Channel which are excellent for game viewing. Large numbers of elephant enter the area during the winter months, whilst Savuti is also well known for its lions which have been featured in several wildlife documentaries.

Our preferred camps and lodges in these areas include:

Selinda Camp
Zarafa Camp
Kwando Lagoon Camp
Kwando Lebala Camp
King's Pool
Duma Tau
Savuti Camp

Savuti Safari Lodge