The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is a paradise which is situated in the North West corner of the Chobe National Park. The reserve is approximately 125,000 hectares.  North of the Linyanti River, lies Namibia’s Caprivi strip.  Two thirds of the Savuti Channel is situated within the reserve.

The Linyanti is secluded and uncrowded and the strip of swampy river is reminiscent of the Okavango ’s permanent waterways with papyrus-lined lagoons, reed beds and towering canopy of trees.  The Linyanti Swamps covers an area of approximately 900 square kilometers, which the river follows and fill the area between the converging courses of the Kwando and Linyanti Rivers.  The Linyanti River (which is later named the Chobe River) forms a border between Botswana and Namibia.

On the Southern banks of the Linyanti River in Botswana, is the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.  The Marsh subsides here into lagoons and steadily flowing rivers with riverine forests of jackalberry and sausage trees leading to open grasslands and dry inland wooded areas.

This area is completely different from the Okavango Delta and should be included in every travelers stay.  This will give the visitor a more balanced experience of the country.

The last stretches of Africa’s Great Rift Valley divide the forests of the interior with the floodplains of the Linyanti and it is along this ridge as well as along the Savuti Channel, that the best wildlife is seen.

During times when the Okavango experiences exceptional flooding, the Selinda Spillway feeds water into the Linyanti River, linking the Chobe and Okavango systems.  When this happens, the Linyanti is identical to the Okavango Delta, with meandering waterways, papyrus beds and islands.

Wildlife:

The most popular feature in the Chobe National Park, is its elephant population.  This elephant population covers most of Northern Botswana, plus North Western Zimbabwe.  In Botswana, the current estimated population of elephant is around 120,000.  The elephants have been distinguished as being the largest elephant in body size of all living elephants, however their ivory is brittle and they have smaller tusks.

The Chobe elephant are migratory and so they move seasonally up to 200 kilometers from the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers during the dry season (May to October), to the pans in the South Eastern part of the park during the wet season (November to April).

During the dry winter months (May to October), the wildlife concentration in the Linyanti Game Reserve is high.  Elephant spend most their time along the rivers and waterholes.  Thousands of zebra also spend the dry winter months in the Linyanti area before migrating South to the Savuti in November in expectation of summer rain and good grazing.   Other plains game that can be spotted in the Linyanti area are giraffe, buffalo, tsessebe, impala, kudu, sable, roan antelopes, red lechwe and the aquatic sitatunga antelope.

Predators include lion, leopard, wild dog, hyena and cheetah.  The serval is a smaller carnivore that can sometimes be seen, and catches rodents and birds by silently pouncing on them.  Bat eared foxes can also be spotted.

Birdlife in the Chobe National Park is abundant.  Over 300 species have been recorded, with some including the white pelican, scarlet chested sunbird and tinkling cisticola.  Water birds including pelican are common.  Near the Linyanti airstrip, there is a colony of carmine bee-eaters nesting.

The Linyanti is characterized by a diversity of habitat that makes it a haven for wildlife.  Open grasslands and waterholes along the Savuti Channel and along the Linyanti River, with mature woodlands (mopane and leadwood forests) inland.

The Linyanti River weaves and meanders eastwards towards Chobe.  Along its course, pools and lagoons are formed and contain hippos, crocodiles and superb bird life.  The pools attract game from the dry lands due to the pools being the first  to hold permanent waters after the rainy season.  During sunset, several breeding herds of elephant gather by the pools along the Linyanti to drink, wallow and frolic in the mud holes.

Seasons:

The rainy season is during the summer months from November to April.  During this time the humidity and heat is high.  These conditions are conducive to mosquitoes breeding.

The dry season is between May to October.  During these months, the surface water subsides and the wildlife tend to congregate along the river.  The month of October is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures reaching late 30’s to high 40 degrees Celsius.

Unique features about the Linyanti:

*Amazing wake up calls from the abundant birdlife.
*Aquatic sitatunga antelopes (these animals have specially adapted hooves for marshlands and can submerge if frightened).
* Elephants and zebra in vast numbers.
* Bat eared foxes.
* Horned sable antelope.
* Wild dogs.

Accommodation:

There are lodges within the Linyanti Game Reserve which offer accommodation on an all inclusive basis.  These are luxury lodges and pre-booking is essential.

Lodges inside the Linyanti:

Kingspool

Duma Tau

Savuti Bush Camp

There are also public camping sites within the Chobe National Park for the more adventurous traveler. All the public camp sites have ablution facilities and running water (not guaranteed though – please check before travelling).  It is advisable to pre-book whether you would prefer to stay in a lodge or in a camp site.

Campsite within the Linyanti:

Linyanti Campsite

* Please note that reservations for public camping sites must be made with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Their contact details are as follows:
Maun office:

Tel:              (+267) 6861 265
Fax:  (+267) 6861 264

Gaborone office:

Tel:              (+267) 318 0774
Fax:  (+267) 318 0775

Campsites outside the Linyanti: (in the Kasane area)

Thebe River Safaris Camp Site

Buffalo Ridge Camp Site

Visitors must please remember that whilst in the parks, you are traveling in a wilderness area.  The roads may be very sandy in some parts and therefore a 4×4 vehicle is essential.  The roads may also be bumpy in parts so please adhere to the speed limits and drive slowly.

Please take note that there are no petrol/gas stations inside the parks, so you need to make sure you have the necessary amount of fuel/petrol with you for your trip.  There are also no shops in the park, therefore please make sure you have the food and drinks you need.  The closest petrol/gas station and shop will be in Kasane or in Maun.

It is advisable to carry additional water (both for drinking and cleaning), food, petrol, mosquito repellent, torches, extra wheels, tools, jacks and pumps.

Notes:

* When camping, please make sure you burn all litter that can be burnt.
* Litter that cannot be burnt, please take with you and deposit at the Wildlife Camp upon your exit, if possible.
* When having made a fire, please bury the ashes.
* The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is a private reserve, so night drives and off road driving is offered.
* Please camp only at designated campsites.
* Consideration for other peoples as well as for the environment should be of paramount concern.