Linyanti BOTSWANA

Linyanti

Linyanti is a superb safari area to the north of Okavango, which has a deserved reputation as one of the best dry game-viewing areas in Africa, especially for elephant, buffalo, lion and wilddog.

The Linyanti is a reserve to the West of Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana. Connected to Chobe by the Savuti Channel (with the Savuti marshes being found within the National Parks boundaries), the Linyanti region is well know for its large predators and concentrations of game.

Linyanti is divided into three private concessions which between them are only permitted to entertain around 100 guests at a time, making this a genuine wilderness experience.

We rate Linyanti on a par with Okavango and generally try to include it in as many safaris as possible.

For a area by area overview take a look at the images section opposite or jump straight into searching for the best lodges in the Linyanti.

The diversity of habitat in the area is an attraction in itself with waterways, marshes, permanently dry riverbeds and large mopane and acacia woodlands creating fantastic game viewing areas.The last stretches of Africa's Great Rift Valley divide the forests with the rivers and floodplains of the Linyanti and it is along this ridge that one sees the best wildlife.

The Savuti Channel itself has been running dry for 25 years, last having flowed in 1980, leaving behind a predators enclave of open grassland that is known throughout Africa for thrilling game drives and walking safaris. It is a sharp contrast to the lush Chobe river as the area is almost desert like, starved of water for much of the year.

The Linyanti is far lusher than the Savuti Channel with water running down the Linyanti River throughout the year and swamp areas running off either sides of the Linyanti River providing areas for river activities the Savuti region has always promised.

In the dry winter months of July to October game viewing is fantastic as massive herds of elephant move into the area and can be seen crossing the Linyanti River regularly. Good numbers of buffalo, giraffe and zebra are present along with hippo, waterbuck, tsessebe, roan ,sable, kudu, wildebeest and and jackal.

The large numbers of game provides ample hunting opportunities for the resident prides of lion that the area is so famous for along with hyena, leopard, cheetah and roaming packs of wild dog. Birdlife, especially along the Linyanti rivers and marshes is stunning, satisfying the most serious of birders and amazing the novices.

The variety of wildlife in the region and the difference in habitat from the Delta itself and the Chobe River area makes the region a must to be included in a trip to Botswana so as to fully appreciate the diversity of the country.