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Linyanti Ebony
Linyanti Ebony
Linyanti Ebony
Linyanti Ebony

Linyanti Ebony: Our full report

Set within the private Chobe Enclave on the edge of the Linyanti Marshes, Linyanti Ebony is a small, intimate ...

... camp with comfortable but traditional tented accommodation. Although operated independently, it sits side by side with its slightly larger sibling, Linyanti Bush Camp, and the two can be combined to accommodate larger groups. Both camps benefit from the area's mix of wet and dry terrain, which attracts a variety of wildlife.

Both camps are owned by African Bush Camps, which is run by Beks and Sophia; passionate and knowledgeable professionals who have considerable experience of tourism in Zimbabwe and Botswana. In addition, Beks is one of the best safari guides in the industry, his Zimbabwean Professional Guides Licence linked to a wealth of experience. Their enthusiasm and knowledge is infectious, and you can expect to find it mirrored among the predominantly Botswanan staff at Linyanti Ebony.

Linyanti Ebony’s tented main area, which serves as a dining room, lounge, bar and meeting point, is very similar to that of Linyanti Bush Camp, with simple but comfortable furnishings designed to lend a traditional feel. Steps lead from a sunny wooden deck to a firepit surrounded by chairs, and a small swimming pool offers respite in the heat of the day.

While the four Meru-style tents at Linyanti Ebony are also very similar to those at Linyanti Bush Camp, Ebony’s tents are set up on wooden platforms and have a wooden porch, kitted out with a couple of chairs overlooking the marshes. Mesh windows serve to keep out insects while allowing a through breeze, while canvas flaps can be rolled down for protection against the elements should the need arise.

Inside each tent, neutral colours and sisal-mat flooring are offset by polished wooden furniture, including a sleigh-style bed flanked by bedside tables, a writing desk and a comfortable sofa. Thoughtful extras include a cooling fan, mosquito coils, insect spray and repellent, wildlife magazines, bathrobes, drinking water, and a tea/coffee station. Note there are no plug points in the tents (batteries can be charged in the main area). For families, Linyanti Ebony offers a family tent with a second, twin bedroom.

At the back of each tent, a wardrobe and a canvas partition help to screen the en-suite bathroom from the bedroom. Twin washbasins with overhanging mirror are largely open to the room, while behind the partition are a canvas rain-shower cubicle and a flush toilet. A laundry basket, fluffy towels and toiletries complete the picture.

Following heavy rains in 2008, the Linyanti River flooded onto the surrounding marshes, creating the reed- and grass-filled swamps that stretch out in front of the camp. It’s an open outlook, and while it’s not intrinsically beautiful, it’s just one among a variety of habitats here, attracting everything from colourful birds and hippos to lions and leopards and browsers such as sable, roan and kudu antelope.

Activities at Linyanti Ebony, as at Linyanti Bush Camp, make the most of this variety, and benefit from a similarly high level of guiding. The camp’s location in a private reserve means that they can offer both night drives and guided walks, which are not be permitted within the adjacent Chobe National Park (or any of Botswana’s national parks). With water levels permitting, there are also gentle excursions in a mokoro (a traditional dug-out canoe). A massive draw card here is a scenic helicopter flight, based on minimum 3 night stay, between April and November (1 flight per stay); additional scenic helicopter flights are available at an extra cost. Not many camps offer these and it really is a truly spectacular way to view the area and its wildlife.


Our view

Linyanti Ebony will suit those looking for a small, traditional tented camp combining comfort with adventure. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service warm, the activities varied and the guiding usually excellent. Note that while there’s wildlife here throughout the year, densities increase considerably between May and October (Botswana’s dry season), when game is attracted to the permanent waters of the Linyanti River.

Megan Green

Megan Green

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location
Kwando-Linyanti area, Botswana
Ideal length of stay
We recommend that guests spend three nights at Linyanti Ebony so that they can experience the range of activities.
Directions
Linyanti Ebony is reached by light aircraft into Saile airstrip (1 hour from Maun and 35 minutes from Kasane). From there, it about an hour’s drive to camp, depending on time spent game viewing on the way.
Accessible by

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
As at the larger Linyanti Bush Camp, meals at Linyanti Ebony are served as a buffet or set menu, with simple, wholesome and tasty food.

For breakfast you can expect a continental buffet augmented by the option of a full English breakfast to order.

Lunch usually comprises home-made bread, cold meats, cheeses and salad, followed by fresh fruit. Then there’s afternoon tea before the day’s second activity, featuring a selection of sweet and savoury snacks alongside hot or iced tea and coffee.

The day is rounded off by a three-course dinner, with guests coming together around a large table.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included
A good selection of drinks is included in the cost. Exotic or premium brands and champagne must be arranged in advance, and will be charged extra.

Special interests

Family holidays
Linyanti Ebony’s spacious family room is a good accommodation for Botswana family safari holidays, particularly with slightly older children. Combine this with the ‘Young Explorers’ programme to have a specialist family guide travel with you.
See ideas for Family holidays
Birdwatching
Noteworthy for species of raptors and owls, plenty of water birds and a range of land birds such as ground hornbill and colourful Acacia pied barbets. The camp also has great guides and a mix of wet and dry environments for birding.
See ideas for Birdwatching

Children

Attitude towards children
Like many of the African Bush Camps' properties Linyanti Ebony welcomes families. Note, however, that children under 16 years are not permitted on mokoro trips or walking safaris (though they can join nature walks around camp).
Property’s age restrictions
Children of all ages are welcome.
Special activities & services
There is a private deck attached to the well-appointed family room and the camp will happily arrange a private dinner for families there. An added bonus is that the camp does not require families to book a private vehicle. They also run a number of activities specifically for children, as part of their 'Ngwana Club'.
Equipment
No equipment for children is provided.
Generally recommended for children
We would recommend Linyanti Ebony for older children; the camp is too open, and potentially dangerous wildlife too plentiful, for us to recommend it for younger children.
Notes
The camp is unfenced and wildlife does occasionally pass through, so all children must be under constant parental supervision.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Linyanti Ebony

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Linyanti Ebony have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Sable antelope

67% success

Spotted Hyena

67% success

Leopard

33% success

Wild dog

33% success

Wildebeest

33% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Lion

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Roan antelope

0% success

Communications

Communications
There is no telephone or internet, though those with roaming may pick up a weak cellphone network from Namibia. In an emergency, radio contact can be made with the head office.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
A comprehensive first-aid kit is kept in camp, and both managers and guides are first-aid trained. In an emergency, guests can be airlifted to Maun. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Guests are escorted to their rooms after dark due to the presence of potentially dangerous wildlife. Whistles are provided in the rooms for use in the event of emergency.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in the common areas and outside each room. There’s also a firebreak around camp as a precaution against bush fires.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Fishing

    Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

    Helicopter

  • Mokoro

    Mokoro

  • Night drive

    Night drive

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Full Laundry Service - Included
Money
The camp does not offer any money-exchanging facilities and there are no safes in the rooms. Valuable items can be secured in the office safe.

Everything is pre-paid and included so no payments are required at the camps and there are no credit card facilities.

Other lodges in Kwando-Linyanti area

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