National Parks

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Botswana

Linyanti is made up of large private concessions, which means lower visitor numbers and, in turn, a more authentic safari experience.

Ker & Downey® Africa > Destinations > Botswana > Parks > Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Botswana

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Everything you need to know about Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

The Linyanti region of Botswana is to Chobe and the Okavango Delta what Chicago is to Los Angeles and Las Vegas – a less bustling, more authentic destination where you can immerse yourself in the country’s essence in a quieter, more richly layered setting. This is mainly because Linyanti is made up of large private concessions, which means lower visitor numbers and, in turn, a more authentic safari experience.

The best known of these concessions, the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, has three main camps set along the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel that echoes the permanent waterways of the Okavango in look and feel, yet offers a completely novel setting for adventures of all kinds.

Where is the reserve located?

The reserve covers 1,250 km2 of rivers, open floodplains and dense forests to the west of Chobe National Park. If you want to get really specific about it, the coordinates are 19.3669° S, 23.0452° E. The reserve is bordered by the Linyanti river at the Namibian border in the north – the best way to get there is to fly into Maun and take a 40-minute charter flight to your lodge from there. Arriving this way will give you a bird’s eye view of the environment and you’ll be able to see the huge differences in terrain from one region to the next – providing valuable context as you learn more about the reserve and its wildlife.

What can you expect of the terrain?

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is one of those Botswana safari destinations that draws true adventurers, and with good reason. Here, you’ll experience pristine, bewildering terrain only the merest hint of cultivation from a human hand. The way things look here is the way it’s looked for millennia. Making your way through and along the floodplains, marshes, savannas and delicate channel-side ecosystems that make up this multi-faceted region, you’ll quickly understand why it home to such a dense and varied wildlife quotient.

About the reserve

What type of wildlife will we see?

Speaking of wildlife, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is the place to be if up-close-and-personal encounters with Africa’s most epic wildlife is your top reason for visiting Botswana (which, let’s face it, is more than likely!). Think hundreds of elephants, hippos, hyenas, and majestic lion prides jostling for their place under the sun, while vast flocks of water- and land birds circle overhead. The reserve is also a wonderful place to see the African wild dog in its natural environment – the species was almost driven to extinction and seeing them in vast numbers here is a heartening experience. Large herds of buffalo descend in the dry season, and thousands of zebras make their way here in winter before heading south. Throw in a few leopards, giraffes, and some eland and sable, and it’s easy to see why Linyanti is every photographer’s dream.

When to visit

If you like to get your hands dirty (and your feet wet) while you’re on safari, Linyanti has plenty of activity options that will appeal. Book a night drive to see the region’s nocturnal animals in their natural habitat or choose a daytime walking safari if you want to learn more about tracking animals and get a real feel for these untamed reaches of Botswana. Canoe safaris on the waterways are a great way to encounter the animals that prefer a watery habitat and will also give you some insight into how the native population gets around. Keen on fishing? Nothing beats casting a line in the midst of the African wild – we guarantee you that. Enjoy instruction from a native fisherman and test your mettle along the Botswana waterways.