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Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

A wonderfully untouched wildlife sanctuary

A Remote and Undisturbed Safari Experience

On the southern banks of the Linyanti River, forming a natural border between Nambia and Botswana, is the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. This private concession boasts splendid scenery of untouched grasslands, riverine forest and meandering lagoons. In comparison to its neighbors in the East, Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta in the South, Linyanti remains wonderfully underused with a high concentration of game. Due to its remote location each corner of this 1,250 sq km protected sanctuary is bursting with game which is simply mesmerising in both the wet and dry seasons. Avid bird enthusiasts will be in awe as thousands of exotic birds migrate to this region during the green season. Carmine bee-eaters can often be seen nesting on the banks of the Linyanti river.

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Our Camps in the Region

Helicopter Transfers

In order to get to your destination faster we offer a 10-minute transfer to any of our Linyanti camps. A helicopter transfer gives you the opportunity to experience Botswana from new heights. You will have a birds-eye view of the majestic wildlife and landscapes on your way to your luxury safari experience.

Seasonal Information

  • Green season
  • Mid season
  • High season

January is traditionally the rainy season in the Linyanti area, but this should not be seen as a negative as the rains bring life to the wilderness. Migrant birds are in full breeding plumage, there are lots of baby animals around and the vegetation is bright and green making it ideal for photographers. The larger herds of elephants and buffalo have moved further into the Mopane woodlands, but the older bulls remain in the area where there is good food and lots of water. In general this is a great time for birders and photographers.

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February is very similar to January with high day time temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms. The migrant birds are still around after the breeding season, so this is still a good time for birders as they are now nesting. The young antelope and other mammals are growing and becoming wiser making it slightly more difficult for the predators, but it can still be quite an exciting time. The large herds of buffalo and elephant have moved deeper in the Mopane woodlands, but the older bulls remain in the marsh area where there is still plenty of food and water. This a great time for photographers as the air is clear, skies are blue and the vegetation is bright and green.

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March is nearing the end of the rainy season. The migrant birds start to make their way back to Europe and northern Africa. The skies are still clear and bright blue and the vegetation still green. With the rains and surface water the herds have generally moved further into the Mopane woodlands, but the older bulls and plains game remain behind. Lion and leopard sightings can be good as they are territorial and so remain in the area throughout the year. March and April are known as the rutting season as impala and other antelope start to fight and find a mate for the season. Day time temperatures can reach into the 30’s, but evenings and mornings can still be chilly, especially when you are in an open vehicle, so warm clothes are recommended.

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April is a bit of a transitional month as it is the end of the rainy season and start of the dry season. The later you go in the month the less chance you have of rain. The vegetation is still green, the skies blue and the air clear making it ideal for photographers. Day time temperatures can be a comfortable 20°, but evenings and mornings can be rather chilly as we move towards winter, so warmer clothes are recommended for open game drives. Towards the end of the month family herds of elephants and buffalo may be seen as the inland surface waters start to dry up. The Linyanti marsh starts to fill up again as the floods from the catchment areas make their way towards Botswana.

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May is traditionally the start of the dry winter months with cold evenings and mornings with clear skies and comfortable temperatures during the day. Warm clothes are highly recommended for those early morning and evening game drives in open vehicles where blankets and hot water bottles are often needed! As the surface water inland starts to dry up, so we start to see more and more family herds of elephants and buffalo, especially towards the end of the month. The waters of the Linyanti Marsh are at their highest as the floods arrive from Angolan and Zambian catchment areas. Plains game are still very much present and make up most of the animals seen. As the vegetation starts to dry up it becomes safer to offer walking safaris. The waters of the marsh are also at their highest and so boating trips are also possible.

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As the dry months set in the vegetation dries up even more, making it easier to see the animals. Daytime temperatures are comfortable, but evenings and early mornings are cold and so warm layers are highly recommended for game drives. The water levels of the Linyanti Marsh are at their highest making boating and mokoro trips possible. With the dry vegetation walking safaris are a fantastic and exciting way to experience the area. As the inland surface water dries up, so the herds of elephants and buffalo start to grow as they move towards the permanent waters of the marsh. Lion and leopard are territorial and so do not move from their areas and so for guests staying 3 or more nights they have an excellent chance of seeing the big cats. This is a great time of year for everyone looking for an exciting safari.

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As we move further into the dry season the game viewing improves as the larger herds start to gather along the marsh, having moved from the inland Mopane woodlands. Large family herds of buffalo and elephant are often seen in the mornings and afternoons as they make their way from the Mopane woodlands to the marsh areas where there is water and food. Leopard and lion are seen more often as the vegetation dries up. Day time temperatures are comfortable, but evenings and mornings can be chilly, especially for morning and afternoon game drives, so warm layers are highly recommended. Mokoro and walking are both possible in July and make for exciting and different safari experiences. July is a great time of year for a safari in Linyanti as game sightings can be excellent.

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We are now midway through the dry season and the vegetation is drying more and more each day. Larger herds of buffalo and elephant make their way to the marshes in the mornings making for some fantastic wildlife encounters. Lion and leopard are seen more often because of the thinner vegetation which means you can see further. Wild dogs will start to leave the den, making it harder to see them as they move huge distances each day. All activities are on offer including mokoros and walking safaris. Walking safaris can be a very exciting way to experience the African bush as you get closer to the ground and really experience it with all your senses. The day time temperatures start to rise and can get to high 20’s, but evenings and mornings can still be chilly and so it is recommended you are prepared for this. August is one of the busiest times in Linyanti as it offers excellent wildlife viewing in comfortable and dry weather.

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September has to be one of the best times of the year to experience the Linyanti. The day time temperatures can get hot with highs of 30+, especially towards the end of the month. This is one of the driest times of the year and by now the vegetation is brown and very thin making it easier to spot the animals. Large herds of elephant and buffalo make their way to the marshes in search of permanent water and food. Leopard and lion are seen more often as it is easier to see them in the dry vegetation. Wild dog are seen occasionally as they move through the concession in search of food. The air starts to become dustier and so is not as good for photography, although it does mean the sunsets are spectacular! The water levels of the marsh are still high enough for mokoro safaris. Walking safaris are excellent now as guides can see further through the bush making it easier to see the wildlife. If you are looking for large herds of elephants and buffalo as well as good predator sightings then September is a good time of year for you to go on safari in Linyanti.

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October is the peak of the dry season and is also the hottest month with daytime temperatures reaching the 40’s at its peak. There is little wind and so this can make things uncomfortable, but the game viewing at this time of the year can be spectacular with large herds of buffalo and elephant. The vegetation is at its thinnest and the air is quite smoggy with dust and smoke from bush fires, making for some of the best sunsets in Africa. Lion and leopard are seen more often as the bush thins out. Wild dogs move through the concession in search of prey and so are seen occasionally. Water levels start to drop off in the marsh, but they are still high enough to offer mokoro safaris. October is perfect for walking safaris as the thin bush allows guides to see animals further away, often meaning you can sneak up and get a closer view

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The game viewing before the rains is very similar to that of October with large herds of buffalo and elephant. The daytime temperatures can get very hot topping at over 40°C, but as the rains start this can drop to a more comfortable temperature. When the rains do start, it usually consists of an afternoon thunderstorm that lasts no more than an hour, clearing up to bright blue skies. The rains clear the air and transform the vegetation to a bright green as new leaves start to blossom.Towards the end of the month the impala and other antelope will start to give birth. With the many baby animals around it means easier prey for the carnivores and so this can be an exciting time of year to be in the Linyanti. Birding is fantastic throughout the year, but in late November the migrant birds start to move in.

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December is the start of the rainy season as the thunderstorms become more frequent. This means there is more surface water around and so the family herds of elephant and buffalo move into the thicker Mopane woodlands. With the onset of the rains the impala and other antelope start to give birth (this could be at the end of November as well). With lots of inexperienced antelope around the predators make the most of it and so this can be an exciting time to be on safari. Lion and leopard are resident and so do not move far as they still patrol their territories to prevent intruders. Wild dogs move huge distances every day and so sightings are rare, unless they are on the concession hunting the plentiful baby impala. Birders are in their element as migrants and locals are in full breeding plumage to attract a mate. Day time temperatures can reach into the mid 30’s, but if there is rain it can drop quite significantly. When it does rain, it is usually an afternoon thunderstorm that last no more than an hour. The air is clear of dust, the skies are bright blue and the vegetation is lush and green making it an ideal time for photographers.

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Wildlife

Wildlife sightings include elephant, kudu, sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species.

wildlife sightings

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