Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Central District Travel Guide

Tucked along the southern banks of the Linyanti River, where Botswana meets Namibia, the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve presents one of Southern Africa's most distinctive safari destinations. This private concession encompasses 482 square miles (1,250 square kilometers) of grasslands, riverine forests, and winding lagoons. Unlike the more frequented Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta, Linyanti remains wonderfully secluded, ensuring close-up wildlife encounters in an off-the-beaten-path setting that feels exceptionally wild.The Linyanti River serves as a vital water source, drawing wildlife from across northern Botswana. During the dry winter months, as seasonal waterholes recede, animals migrate to its banks in search of water and sustenance. By October, the river teems with game, making the Linyanti Reserve a fantastic destination for year-round game viewing.The reserve boasts a high concentration of animals, with lions and spotted hyenas as the primary predators, and leopards often sighted on night drives. Game densities increase as the season progresses into the drier months, with wildlife migratory species moving closer to the Linyanti River's water source. Herds of elephants congregate at waterholes and rivers, while zebra stay in the Linyanti region during winter before moving on to Savuti around October and November. The area is also frequented by lion, leopard, wild dogs, and cheetah. Birdlife thrives, with over 400 recorded species, including African jacanas, saddle-bill storks, and carmine bee-eaters.Linyanti offers a variety of activities, including game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives, game and bird walks, and canoeing on the lagoons. The reserve's exclusivity allows for off-roading, guided walks, fishing, and sleep-outs in hides.