The Linyanti Swamps, fed mainly by the Kwando River, is a wetland and wildlife stepping stone between the Okavango Delta in the west and Chobe-Zambezi river system in the east. They lie at the centre of the Kalahari sand basin like great seasonal lakes, connected by the sinuous Selinda and Savute channels. Back in the 1850s, defying what he saw, explorer David Livingstone reckoned they could not flow in both directions – but he was wrong. Due to the deep sand substrate and subtle earthquake activity, the channels can and indeed do flow in one direction and then, seeming without reason, stop and reverse their flow. The contrast between the watery realm of riverine forest trees, reed-lined passages and hippo-filled pools, with the arid mopane savanna beyond, make for a fascinating safari trip. But Linyanti is also a vital migration stop-over for game between the larger waterways and the domain of some of the most thirsted-for Southern African safari lodges.
Botswana’s Untamed Safari Frontier Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
Linyanti Gallery
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve Itineraries
Lodges in Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
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Frequently asked Questions
If Chobe is all about elephants en masse and the Delta is a water-drenched labyrinth, Linyanti is the wild, untamed in-between. It’s remote, private and wonderfully unpredictable. With a channel that can ( famously) change the direction of flow (just to confuse David Livingstone), a patchwork of swamps and dry savanna, and fewer people to share it with — it’s safari with a twist.
Predators love it here! Wild dogs, lions, leopards and cheetahs are all regulars. Then there are the great herds: elephants, buffalo, zebra and migrating antelope striding through. Add in hippos, crocs and more birdlife than you can keep up with, and it’s a proper safari smorgasbord.
Yes, and that’s what makes it special. Because it’s made up of private concessions rather than national parks, you’re not bound by the usual rules. Bush walks at sunrise, night drives under star-splattered skies, even off-road detours to track a leopard — it’s all on the cards in Linyanti.
The winter (June to October) is the prime time for game viewing. Water sources shrink, animals gather, the drama kicks off, and sightings are out of this world. The Summer (November to April) brings lush landscapes and sensational birding.
This is exclusive safari country. Camps are small and intimate, typically featuring just a handful of tents, with a maximum-privacy, maximum-luxury ethos. You’ll still share game drives with a few other guests, but it’ll feel like you have the wilderness to yourself.
Flying is the easiest (and most scenic) way in — by light aircraft from Maun, Kasane or the Delta. Technically, you can attempt to drive in, but it’s a serious 4×4 slog through sand and bush, more expedition than transfer. Most visitors let the pilot handle the logistics and save their energy for the safari itself.
How could you not? We love pairing Linyanti with the Okavango Delta.
Depending on the water levels, yes. When the water level is high, you can head out on a mokoro (dugout canoe) or motorboat to glide between reeds and lilies, spotting hippos, crocs and jewel-bright kingfishers.
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