National Parks

Selinda Reserve in Botswana

Selinda Reserve is a pristine wildlife concession in Botswana, for those folks who want to veer way off the beaten track.

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Everything you need to know about Selinda Reserve

The Selinda Reserve in Botswana is one of those fascinating African destinations that seem to appeal to true adventurers. The most popular wildlife hotspots vary from one year to the next – normally a variation of much-loved stopovers like the Okavango Delta and Kruger National Park in South Africa. But then you get those outlying destinations that pop up on the radar of holidaying pioneers – travellers who prefer something a little different. Folks who want to veer way off the beaten track.

Where is the reserve located?

The Selinda Spillway, located in the northern reaches of Botswana, links the Okavango Delta to the west to the Linyanti Swamps to the east. Along its course, which can flow in two different directions depending on where the water levels are highest, are the game-rich floodplains of the Selinda Reserve, one of the country’s most pristine wildlife concessions.

What can you expect of the terrain?

Situated within 320 000 acres of wild and breath-taking landscape, Selinda is one of three concessions in this area that are privately owned. It also has the distinction of having a group of passionate conservationists at the helm. It is their mission to showcase the undisturbed and captivating beauty of Botswana. As such, what once was a prime hunting spot is now a stunning example of the varied and game-rich landscape that held sway in pre-industrial times.

About the reserve

What type of wildlife will we see?

Given its distinct location upstream from Savute and west of Chobe, Selinda has all of the wildlife viewing that those areas are famous for, with the added perk of fewer crowds. Only 18 guests are permitted on the reserve at a time, allowing for unrestricted and exhilarating viewings of the region’s elephants, cheetah, wild dogs, and prides of lion, hyena, jackal, and leopard. It is also one of few places in the world where huge herds of elephant and buffalo roam free and where there are still parcels of land where no person has ever set foot in living memory.

Top experiences to enjoy at Selinda Reserve

This reserve is the best place to be if you really like to get off the game viewing vehicle and into the veld, where you can smell the aromas of the bush and follow in the tracks of the animals you came to see. Away from the incessant flashing of far-removed cameras, and into the environment that makes this region of Botswana so special.

Sure, you can go on a game drive, but you can also go on guided walking safaris and canoe trips that get you into the wetland environment where you can sidle up to animals unobtrusively for a truly epic wildlife experience. Or, if you really want to get into it, you can take part in a 4-day, 3-night adventure exploration trek along the Selinda Spillway that combines canoeing and walking and will allow you to discover the wonders of the waterway like explorers of old. We know. It’s exactly as incredible as it sounds.

When to visit

The best time to visit the northern reaches of Botswana is from May to September, during the dry winter season, when temperatures are moderate. However, if you can stand a little heat, the summer months offer a very authentic sweaty-yet-satisfying African experience. It’s all up to your personal comfort level. As for accommodation, since the reserve is a private concession, only a limited number of visitors can be accommodated at any given time. To minimise their footprint in this pristine private concession, the proprietors of Selinda Reserve rebuilt the camp according to sustainability principles in 2007. As such, the camp is beautifully appointed, and quite private, offering a less crowded, more restful Botswana experience.