Linyanti Concession

Good access to Chobe, the Linyanti Marshes gave a different perspective. Water buffalo!!

Here I saw wild dog and was amazed at their pack loyalty to the alpha male and female. Then to witness an almost kill by their stalking was something not captured on film but my eyes and mind contain what a camera cannot do. The scenic beauty was wild and untamed. Lodging, guide, food, staff -- all wonderful.

Linyanti is nature pure. I always felt like having returned to the Garden of Eden!

A surprising destination given transfers are undertaken through barren bushland (in dry season) - before you wind up beside the river where the scenery is superb. Relatively good wildlife spotting but not as good as that in some of Botswana's other parks, since the Salute Channel began flowing again. It looks as though the channel may dry up again, in which case guides in the area predict the wildlife viewing will be as outstanding as it once was.

An amazing experience in Linyanti

Duma Tau camp is a real gem in Linyanti!

We arrived late and were whisked straight off on a safari immediately such that we didn't see our room in the daylight until we returned from the following morning's safari, when the sun had finally risen. But that deserves a first comment - the room was worth the wait! The double bed was comfortable with effective mosquito net and the adjoining bath and shower were clean, with warm water for showering making things easy.

The safari experiences were fantastic - our guide, Lazi, was a real local expert with knowledge of tracking animals. I appreciate that things can be different depending on your guide but we didn't meet anyone else with a different guide who had complaints during their trip. The thing is, everyone's so enthusiastic that they're looking for the best game so they can see it themselves, and we got lucky seeing leopards, wild dogs, lion prides, lion cubs - it was hard to believe we were only there for three days!!

We would go back in a heartbeat. The service was impeccable, and that's without touching on the food which, like most Wilderness Safari camps, was mouth watering.

A fantastic base in Linyanti reserve.

Small quiet Camp Linyati on the Linyati channel was a beautiful oasis.

This is a very lush area with lagoons, swamps, alluvial islands, marshes, flood plains, riparian forests and lush inland forests. Hippos and elephants rule the area. Lots of birds of all kind.

The Linyanti has an amazing variety and number of animals and birds.

The Linyanti was an amazing part of our trip to Botswana. The number and variety of animals was incredible. I learned to get my camera gear completely configured and ready for use BEFORE arriving in the Linyanti. We saw wild dogs a hour after stepping off the plane, and encountered giraffe, warthogs, crocodile, lions, leopard on a kill, kudu and many other antelope species, baboons, hippos, dwarf mongooses, and lots of elephants. I am not a birder, but our safari companions were almost constantly chattering about the birds. The Wilderness Safaris trucks, guides, staff, food, and lodging were perfect (we stayed at King's Pool). The Linyanti has a varied landscape that includes mopane forests, tall proper forests, brushy/sandy areas, and swampy/river areas. The Linyanti was part of a trip to the Okavango Delta, and while the Linyanti is distinctly different from the heart of the Delta, it is easily as interesting and beautiful as the more well-known Delta region. The weather was pleasantly cool at night and warm during the day. Wilderness Air was great, with quick, fun flights in their well-maintained Cessna Caravan turboprop airplanes. Our trip to the Linyanti was an experience I will never forget, and I will definitely include the Linyanti on future trips to Botswana.

Saw amazing wildlife each day of our 3 day stay. Kings Pool, Linyanti River, Wilderness Safaris

We had great weather - even though we visited during the rainy season, the rains managed to hold off until after we had retired to our tents after dinner - which was really nice. We did get caught in a deluge on the river for about 30 minutes one evening - but that was more of an experience than an inconvenience - as we had cover and didn't get wet at all.

I like to fish - and the camp has a pontoon boat for river safaris - I believe generally evening river cruises....fishing rods all rigged and ready to go...doesn't take too much effort to catch something - and there are plenty of different types of fish to catch!

On land we saw hippos grazing (out of the water)....2 packs of wild dogs 18 in one and 8 in the other...successful hunts & stealing an impala carcass from a spotted hyena.....eagle owls, all sorts of hawks, eagles, bee eaters, king fishers, egrets, goliath heron, lion, elephant.

The green season makes viewing a little bit more difficult - but the green color contrast and blossoms enhance the pictures....the private concession camp has the ability to bushwack off road and chase some sightings......not something that can be done in the national parks.

The day and night time temperatures were really comfortable in early March. we were not really ever bothered by mosquitoes or any sort of bugs.

Was a great area to visit....would definitely go back if there were not so many other interesting places yet to visit in Africa!

We even got periodic cell service from Namibia across the river. I wouldnt count on this - but it was a nice surprise to be able to send/receive txts for a few minutes.

http://youtu.be/elmSOMyV6tc

http://youtu.be/ReNWiPeHRjo

Feel free to email questions - and I can supply links to an online photo album.

A trip of a lifetime

Warning. This type of safari is not for everyone. If you are disturbed by being woken in the middle of the night by lions calling next to your tent, or the calling of hippos throughout the night, or elephants making themselves at home in your campsite, then this safari is not for you. But, if you are like me, and love the thought of sleeping in the middle of the African bush (without fences ), then this is the trip of a lifetime.
Our first night, we had hippos passing by our tent, and elephants quietly snapping branches beside us. I'll admit, even though I've done these type of camping safaris before, it still takes a night to reaclimatize to the sounds of the bush. And to be woken in the morning by a lion calling directly behind my tent? AMAZING! The scenery is great, and the sightings top notch. The only one of the big 5 that is sadly absent is the Rhino. But definitely worth going. We stayed at Linyanti adventure tented camp, and the staff there were amazing. Our guide Francis, supplied by Wilderness safaris, is one of the most experienced guides I have ever met. He has superhuman tracking skills, and his quiet, confident manner had us all relaxed and happy. I was only in Linyanti for 3 days (of a 10 day camping safari), but they were an amazing 3 days that will never be forgotten.
Julie