Botswana Parks
By Anthony Ham
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the 'Botswana & Namibia' guide.
The four lodges in private Linyanti Concession (also Linyanti Game Reserve) are run by the well-established Wilderness Safaris, which means exclusivity, impeccable service and superb guiding. The reserve borders the western boundary of Chobe NP, and a big part of the famous Savute Channel is located within the reserve. There are no borders between the reserve and Chobe, and animals migrate freely across. The Linyanti Swamp system, created by a big bend in the Linyanti River, attracts large herds of animals, especially elephant.
Pros & Cons
- Excellent wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five easily spotted (rhino is absent)
- Home to the zebra migration in the wet months, from November to April
- Off-road driving is permitted, which facilitates quality sightings
- Game drives, night drives, boat trips and walking safaris are available
- Wildlife hides and fishing activities
- Very exclusive private reserve with great food and stunning lodges
- Excellent guiding
- Only expensive, all-inclusive packages available
Wildlife
The Linyanti River and the Savute Channel attract big herds of animals in the Dry season. Elephant are particularly prolific, but so are other herbivores, such as red lechwe, Burchell's zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck and buffalo. Lion, wild dog and cheetah are regularly seen. Night drives give an opportunity to spot bushbaby, genet and other nocturnal species.
Scenery
The main habitats in Linyanti Concession are the river with several lagoons and marshes, and the adjacent woodland. The Savute Channel is usually a dry, sandy riverbed, but it flows occasionally. In the channel are permanent pools of water attracting many animals.
Weather & Climate
The Linyanti Concession, like other areas in the Okavango, is generally warm but sees a dramatic drop in temperature in the middle of the Dry season (April to October). Wrap yourself up in warm clothing if you’re going on early-morning game drives or scenic boat trips. The temperature peaks in October, just before the Wet season (November to March) delivers some refreshing rain.
Best Time to Visit
Wildlife watching in the area is at its best in the Dry season (April to October), particularly when it comes to elephants. That said, the landscape is at its most lush during the Wet season (November to March). The rains also attract lots of migrating birds and, in November and February, herds of zebra.
