Beside the Kwando-Linyanti river system, four large private reserves (Kwando, Selinda, Linyanti and Chobe Enclave) protect high concentrations of wildlife. Like the exclusive safari reserves around the Okavango Delta, these offer more remote, private safaris than are possible in the busier national parks. Walking and night drives are both allowed, as well as off-road driving (which makes finding predators much easier).

We have split this Kwando-Linyanti region into four completely separate areas:

Selinda Reserve

This protects the Selinda Spillway which links the Okavango and Linyanti river systems. Wide, dry grasslands dotted with small palm-forest islands; it's a picturesque environment. When dry, we regard the Selinda Reserve as one of Botswana's best areas for predators. There are two newly-rebuilt, luxurious camps here: Selinda and Zarafa; a third camp, Motswiri, is simpler and only available for exclusive use.

Selinda Camp

Selinda Camp overlooks the game-rich floodplains near Zibadianja Lagoon. It was refurbished extensively, and to a very high standard, in 2007. (Read more about Selinda Camp... )

Zarafa Camp

Formerly known as Zibalianja, this camp was completely rebuilt and relocated to the edge of the Spillway. It is now very small and very exclusive; it's aiming to be one of Botswana's top camps. (Read more about Zarafa... )

Motswiri Camp

In the west of Selinda Reserve, Motswiri is closer to the Okavango than to the Kwando River. It's a tiny, simple safari camp taking a maximum of six guests, and available for exclusive use only. (Read more about Motswiri Camp... )

Kwando Reserve

North of Selinda, Kwando is another huge private reserve covering 2,300km². Most of its western side is dense mopane forest, but along the Kwando River is a band of lush riverine forest, interspersed with open plains. Kwando is a wild reserve and attracts lots of big game. There are two safari camps here:

Lagoon Camp

Lagoon Camp stands beside the Kwando River, to the north of the reserve, in thick riverine forest. It's an excellent small safari camp, run by an enthusiastic team. (Read more about Lagoon Camp... )

Lebala Camp

To the south of the reserve, Lebala is in a more open environment. The large tented rooms (newly built for 2008) stand beside amongst open grasslands and palm islands; great country for cheetahs and wild dogs. (Read more about Lebala Camp... )

Linyanti Reserve

The reserve covers 1,250km², within which three private camps operate. In the north, beside the Linyanti River, there are open floodplains beside the water, an adjacent band of riverine forest, and then dense (mostly mopane) forests stretch away south.

King's Pool

One of Botswana's most luxurious camps, with nine lavish thatched suites; all overlook a hippo-filled, ox-bow lagoon. (Read more about King's Pool... )

DumaTau

West of King's Pool, DumaTau stands near Zibadianja Lagoon, the source of the Savuti Channel. It has ten large, walk-in tents standing on wooden decks. (Read more about DumaTau... )

Savuti Camp

Away from the flowing rivers the camp overlooks a waterhole in the sandy bed of the usually-dry Savuti Channel, which attracts plenty of big game. (Read more about Savuti Camp... )

Chobe Enclave

Chobe Enclave stands north of Chobe National Park, on the edge of the Linyanti marshes, which have been largely dry for many years. In 2008, heavy summer rains in the catchments of the Kwando and Linyanti rivers, combined with shifting fault lines, caused the Linyanti River to flow into the marshes, and it looks like the water is there to stay for a while. This attracts large populations of game during the dry season. There's one small, private camp here which also arranges walking safaris:

Linyanti Bush Camp

Independently owned and run, Linyanti Bush Camp is an intimate small camp which prides itself on the high-quality of its guiding. (Read more about Linyanti Bush Camp... )

Linyanti Walking Safaris

Linyanti Walking Safaris is a mobile camp, managed by the team from Linyanti Bush Camp. It operates only during the dry season from the beginning of May to the end of October. All safaris last for three nights and the precise camp sites will be chosen according to the time of year, the interests of the guests and where the wildlife action is. (Read more about Linyanti Walking Safaris… )

Wildlife in the Kwando-Selinda-Linyanti-Chobe Enclave areas

There are no fences here, so the animals move freely between these reserves and the national parks. During the dry season, when concentrations of elephant and buffalo are very high, the permanent water of the Kwando-Linyanti riverfront is a big attraction. Near the water you'll also find plenty of red lechwe, impala and sometimes sable antelope. Meanwhile, in the riverine forest and on the plains, wildebeest, kudu, zebra, baboon, warthog, giraffe and tsessebe are common. Further from water, the highlights of the drier forests are herds of eland and roan antelope.

The predators are numerous: lion are everywhere, whilst leopard favour the wooded areas in more broken country and cheetah prefer open plains. Wild dogs range throughout these reserves, and in the last few years there have been several dens in these areas. The dogs are relatively easy to follow when hunting across the open plains found here.


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