Best places to stay in Linyanti; where to stay in Linyanti

Best Places To Stay On Safari In The Linyanti

For an exclusive experience in Botswana, Linyanti is the reserve to go fro. With all the same perks of the fantastic Chobe wildlife, but with access only for those staying at the three Wilderness Safaris owned lodges, this is a really remarkable place. There is a huge concentration of game and the lodge prides itself with supreme luxury. We believe Linyanti is of an unbeatable overall quality. Aside from the great concentration of mammals, including a high density of the extremely endangered wild dog, Linyanti is fantastic for bird enthusiasts. This is an incredible area to view carmine bee-eaters in the wet season. Thousands of these gregarious, brilliantly coloured birds can be seen nesting along the banks of the river and on the open plains.

What differentiates the Linyanti Reserve from the neighbouring Chobe National Park is the fact that the reserve is private, only open 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. Because the reserve is private, unlike in the national parks there are no restrictions on the activities that can be offered and animal sightings will be far more controlled and relaxed. Night drives, walking safaris, fishing, sleep outs in the reserves various hides, fly camping and boating (at Kings Pool and Duma Tau only) are all on offer for those who wish. These opportunities present once-in-a-life-time moments to view wildlife in a truly isolated and immersed experience that the national park cannot offer. Once you step out of the vehicle and embark upon an adventure where it is only you and nature, this is when you will truly understand the true magnificence of the wild.

There are a number of safari camps and lodges in Linyanti Reserve and below we have listed some of our favourites:

Kings Pool

Kings Pool has historically been one of the most luxurious camps in the Linyanti area. However, recent changes from Wilderness Safaris means that it will actually be a “classic camp” as opposed to it’s current “premier camp” status. The changes will be complete in June 2019. Don’t worry though, it is not going to completely lose its luxury! It will still be of high Wilderness standard, but the added frills like private plunge pools are being taken out and the whole lodge is being rebuilt to be as eco-friendly as possible. The location is magical, and the reserve is also well regarded as housing one of the highest predator concentrations anywhere meaning that the high prices guarantees great game viewing. In summary a fantastic camp, and one which we are excited to see when it re-opens.

Selinda

Selinda is part the Great Plains Conservation Group who have some other fantastic camps in the area and operate an incredible service. Although their camps are really luxurious, they are also extremely relaxed. You decide what you want to do - if you want to get up and go for a game drive at 0900 instead of 0530, you can. The area is brilliant, especially since the channels are filling up with water again making the game in the area fantastic. Huge herds of elephant push through in the dry months from May to October.

Selinda Canoe Trail

The Selinda Canoe trail is an authentic Africa adventure. Five nights and Four days, discovering the wonders of Selinda’s hidden waterways that are un-reachable by vehicles. It is a safari for those really wanting to get off the beaten track, with some of Africa’s best guides, for a once-in- a-lifetime expedition.

Selinda Explorers

There's a saying that small things come in little packages... Selinda Explorers Camp in no exception! With only 4 tents that transport you back to the bygone era of Livingstone and Selous, both of whom wandered right through the area in which the camp is situated. The area is a prime predator habitat, with fantastic lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. Good densities of giraffe, buffalo (in the dry season) and all the antelope – including even roan and sable and recently spotted eland – are possible sightings.

Zarafa Dhow Suites

Great Plains Conservation’s Zarafa Dhow suites is situated in the private 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve the Zarafa Dhow Suites cater exclusively for small, intimate groups of friends or family, who want to immerse themselves into one of Africa’s most classic safari experiences. In summary, one of the continent's most expensive lodges, but a truly superb one !

Duma Tau

Duma Tau has always been the perfect little camp to include in an itinerary if it suits your style. Being located between the Savuti Channel and the Linyani River and flood plains it benefits by great game movement from both sides. The camp itself is very special and has typical lively character to it and as a result it is one of the most sought after of their camps. Duma Tau is going through big changes as it is set to be rebuilt as a premier camp with private plunge pools and all the mod cons. It is closing after the 2019 season and re-opening in August 2020 so we are excited to report back on what has changed!

Savuti

Wilderness Safaris' Savuti Camp is one of the finest small camps in Botswana. Regarded by many as the best camp in the entire Linyanti region, Savuti is a seven-roomed camp with one of the best locations on a sweeping bend in the Savuti channel. For years the camp's famous log pile hide offered one of the best elephant interactions in Africa. Recent years have seen the channel running again and the elephant hide washed away, but Savuti still remains one of the best of Wilderness Safaris camps and this reserve one of the country's finest for predators. A beautiful small camp that remains one of our favourites.

Savuti Safari Lodge

Perched on the banks of the Savuti Channel within the Chobe National Park, Savuti Safari Lodge offers an excellent location from which to explore the nearby Savuti Marsh.

Zarafa

Great Plains Conservation’s Zarafa Camp is one of the country's super luxury lodges. With only four rooms, Zarafa is one of Botswana’s smallest camps and consequently offers one of the country’s most exclusive game viewing experiences. The camp's location in such a great game viewing area also makes Zarafa a very good combination with Mombo. In summary, one of the continent's most expensive lodges, but a truly superb one !