LinyantiThe Linyanti Reserve is owned by Wilderness Safaris, southern Africa's most luxurious operator. Located just to the west of the famous Savute marsh area of the Chobe National Park, the reserve is one of the best examples of Botswana's high end private reserves. The game viewing on offer is simply superb; all the predators are brilliantly visible and there are high concentrations of elephant and buffalo. Couple this with the fact that Linyanti is home to some of the most exclusive lodges in Africa and you have one of the continent's finest safari regions.
What differentiates the Linyanti Reserve from the neighbouring Chobe National Park is the fact that the reserve is private, open only to guests staying in one of the three camps available. The habitat is virtually identical to the majority of the Chobe National Park (the river section excluded), yet exclusivity is guaranteed.
Due to the fact the reserve is private; there are no limitations to the activities on offer. It is therefore possible to do game drives at day and at night, as well as walking safaris, boating (at Kings Pool and Duma Tau only), fishing and sleep outs in the reserve’s various hides. The two other private Linyanti reserves, Selinda and Kwando also have similar habitats yet the Wilderness camps here are more luxurious than their neighbours (Selinda’s Zarafa excluded!). It is the luxury of this reserve and the efficient operational skills of Wilderness Safaris that makes it so famous. The Linyanti: Accommodation choices
The flagship property of the Linyanti reserve is Kings Pool, an ultra luxurious and very famous camp that comes complete with private plunge pools and a la carte dinners. The quality of food and service here is exceptional but the quality of product is reflected in the price, at approximately $1,500pppn in high season! Savuti Camp on the other hand is better priced (at approximately $1,000pppn in high season) and is a small, six roomed authentic safari camp that takes a more relaxed approach to safari, and has subsequently gained the acceptance and recognition of serious safari fans. In our view Savuti is the best value camp in the reserve. Duma Tau is the third camp in the area, a ten roomed property that has the usual qualities of Wilderness Safaris camps and is located within the same good game area.
The Linyanti: Time of year to travel
As with the majority of Botswana’s big game areas, the Linyanti comes into its peak game viewing season from the 1st June with the very best months being late July, August, September, October and the beginning of November. The rains affect the game here hugely and the herds move out to better grazing when the first rains settle in. So while the early months of the year are superb for birds, the grass is high and makes game viewing difficult. It is not a good region for big game viewing outside peak season.
The Linyanti: Activities Game drives at day and night, as well as walking safaris are possible at all camps - while boating trips are possible from Duma Tau and Kings Pool, water levels depending. There are also a number of hides in the Linyanti which can be booked for an overnight sleep out in the bush.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Linyanti
With private plunge pools, four poster beds and some the best dining in the country, Kings Pool sets the standard for Botswana’s Premier Camps.
Linyanti
Without any doubt one of Botswana’s most difficult lodges to actually get a room in, Savuti Camp is one of Africa’s finest small camps.
Linyanti
Duma Tao Located under the shady covering of a forest of large mangosteen trees close to the source of the Savute Channel, Duma Tau overlooks a large hippo filled lagoon and offers some of the most diverse wildlife viewing in Botswana.
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