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linyanti wilderness area |
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botswana destinations and game reserves |
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At the extreme northern parts of Botswana lie some of the most splendid, wild and secluded destinations the country has to offer.
Situated between the Chobe National Park to the east and the Okavango Delta to the south, the wilderness areas of Selinda, Kwando and Linyanti offer exceptional wildlife viewing in an area that rivals the beauty of the Okavango and Chobe combined.
The Linyanti is renowned for its predators and large concentrations of game, particularly elephant and buffalo which move down to the Linyanti River at the start of our winter months (May/June) and only retrace their steps inland once the main rains arrive (late-November/December). Sable and Roan Antelope occur, as well as Lion, Leopard and Wild Dog. The marshes are home to Red Lechwe, Sitatunga, Hippo, Crocodiles and wonderful birdlife. Moving along the fringes of the waterways, guests can see Kudu, Zebra, Buffalo, Waterbuck and Impala. The region's key feature is the Linyanti River and marshes, which are complemented by the contrasting dry woodlands inland. Massive lagoons and steadily flowing rivers abound with papyrus and phragmites. The heavily forested riverine fringes blend into dry countryside further inland, away from the river. There are many varied habitats within the Linyanti; marshes, waterways, riverine forests, dry woodlands and open grasslands.
The Linyanti Reserve is a 275,000 acre private reserve west of the Chobe National Park. This area is very different from the Okavango Delta and should be included in every Botswana itinerary to allow travellers a varied and balanced experience of the country. This private reserve is an enormous area shared between only a few camps. This allows for exclusive game viewing. |
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The Linyanti Swamps attract aquatic species such as red lechwe, as well as the very shy sitatunga. Other interesting antelope found here are the endangered roan antelope and the beautiful sable antelope resident here all year round. The Linyanti Swamp draws large herds of elephant, zebra and wildebeest to the waters. Plains game includes eland, giraffe, Cape buffalo, impala, hippo, warthog, waterbuck and Burchell's zebra. And as always, resident troops of baboon and vervet monkey are also seen and heard regularly.
The large concentration of mammals in the Linyanti area ensures that predators are in abundance - the list includes prides of lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and the smaller carnivores like African wild cat, black-backed and side-striped jackal. The endangered African wild dog has found a safe home in this remote area. Some of the nocturnal species include serval, spring hare, (large spotted) genet, aardwolf, lesser bushbaby and the rarely seen pangolin. |
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| Linyanti is an outstanding birding destination all year round! Most species found in the Okavango are found here too. The area is also home to kori bustard and ostrich - two of the heavy weights. Other bird species include various owls such as the African scops owl and the Verreaux's giant eagle owl. Some of the unique bird species found in the Linyanti's water regions are African skimmer, Hartlaub's babbler, slaty egret, wattled crane and Allen's gallinule. The mopane woodland species include Bradfield's hornbill, racket-tailed roller, Bennett's woodpecker, white-breasted cuckoo-shrike, Arnott's chat and swallow-tailed bee-eater. |
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| The Linyanti is mostly made up of private cocessions, with tented camp and lodges in some of the beautiful parts of the Linyanti. Access to these areas is via prebooked arrangements with the lodges. Most guests fly in to small airstrips by light aircraft. There is one public campsite accessible to self drive travelers - strictly 4x4 access only. |
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| All bookings must be made through the Botswana Wildlife or Botswana Tourism's office in Gaborone, and it has to be prebooked. The lodges and camps must also be prebooked directly. Some camping safaris visit this part of Botswana, and the operators can be contacted directly for bookings. |
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| See what other travelers have to say about the Linyanti |
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Adrian Walsch, USA |
05 May 2011
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| The large herds of wildlife was spectacular! And the isolation of the Linyanti area is really something I didn't excpect. It felt like we were taken back in time when Africa was still wild and unexplored. I will recommend this to anyone that has visited Africa before and want to experience something new and unique. We had a relaxing time, but our fair share of adventure and excitement...read full review |
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Letaka Safaris is based in Maun, Botswana offering authentic mobile safaris on both scheduled departures as well as private and tailor-made safaris throughout the year. We give guests comfortable tented accommodation along with the best guides in the business, meaning that the guests can focus on the exceptional safari experience on offer.
We also offer specialised photographic and birding safaris to southern Africa's wilderness areas. |
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