Linyanti, Selinda, Kwando and Chobe Enclave

​The area between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, has been split into a number of smaller concessions, which run along the Caprivi strip with the Kwando and Linyanti river systems forming a natural border to Namibia. The Kwando river flows south from Angola, crossing into Namibia. Similar to the Okavango delta, it fans out, creating floodplains and natural waterways which form the Linyanti swamps. Although the majority of the swamps are located within Namibia, they are best accessible from Botswana, with most lodges built around them. The region consists of a variety of habitats, including the swamps, forrests, lagoons and open veld, which attracts a number of different species of birds and mammal. As this region has permanent water, it is a great wildlife destination year round, but is especially good in the dry season (May-October) when it attracts a number of migratory species in search of water. It is probably most well known for it's high concentration of elephants, although predators also have a strong presence, including lion, hyena and a regular occurence of the African Wild dog. 

Chobe Enclave:
The Chobe Enclave is officially part of the Chobe National park but has been sectioned off, offering the advantage of a more privatised experience, as only one operator is allowed inside the concession. 

How to get there, things do to and where to stay:
You can reach this area by light aircraft, or if you have 4x4 driving experience you can also travel via self-drive. Self-drivers should be aware that part of the roads can be treacherous, travelling through deep Okavango sands. One should try to avoid self-driving during the rainy season, which makes the roads even more challenging.

You are limited to stay at one of the camps located within the Chobe Enclave, as wild camping is not allowed in this area. Your choices are between Linyanti Bush Camp, which is best for individual travellers, or Linyanti Ebony which is recommended for families. The accommodation is not as luxurious as is the case with some of the lodges in the Linyanti or Selinda area, as they keep their focus on guiding which has proven to be excellent.

Being a privatised concession, a large variety of activities are on offer, including day and night game drives, mokoro, boating, fishing and bushwalks, which will be inclusive in your rate package. Water based activities are seasonal and dependent on water levels. In addition, helicopter flights are offered between April and November at an additional cost. 


Camp Linyanti & Linyanti Campsite (Chobe National Park)
I have mentioned these camps seperately, as they aren't officially inside the Linyanti, but located inside the Chobe National park bordering the Linyanti river, wedged between the Chobe Enclave and Linyanti Concession. This area is designed for the more budget orientated traveller and self-driver. It is also the only place along the Linyanti Waterfront that offers camping.  

How to get there, things do to and where to stay: 
You have the option to fly to Camp Linyanti via light aircraft, or arrive in your own vehicle. If you are camping, you are limited to self-driving, arriving either from the north in Kasane via the Ghoha Gate, or if travelling from the south via Savuti. 4x4 driving experience is required as you will be travelling across deep Okavango sands. 

There are only the two options available for accommodation. Camp Linyanti offers basic tented rooms at a fully inclusive rate, including all meals and activities such as game drives. The Linyanti campsite has ablution facilities providing hot and cold water, showers and flushing toilets. Do bear in mind, there are no shops or fuel stations in the area, nor en-route and you need to be completely self-sufficient. GPS and satellite phone are a must. The campsite is unfenced, providing an absolute wilderness feeling, as you are a visitor in the home of the resident wildlife. A list of strict rules needs to be followed to ensure your safety, such as ensuring all foods are packed away in closed containers at night, as the smell attracts Hyenas.  


Linyanti Concession
The Linyanti concession is located west of Chobe National Park and covers roughly 1250km². All camps in this region are run by Wilderness Safaris and offer a very high standard of accommodation and service, which comes with a matching price tag.  

How to get there, things do to and where to stay: 
This region is exclusively designed for fly in Safaris and you will only be able to access this area by light aircraft from either Maun, Kasane and most lodges situated in northern Botswana. The accommodation will be on a fully inclusive basis and will include a variety of activities such as day and night game drives, boat cruises, bushwalks, fishing and sleeping under the stars.

Your choice of accommodation is between Duma Tau, Savuti Camp and King's Pool, the latter being the premier camp of the group. If you are seeking exclusivity, luxury and good service, either of these properties will not fail to deliver. There is also a more basic option, which is part of the Wilderness Explorations portfolio called Linyanti Tented Camp. This is however only bookable for families and small groups travelling together. 


Selinda Concession
Selinda lies to the east of the Linyanti Concession and encompasses a large portion of the Selinda Spillway. The Selinda Spillway connects the Okavango Delta, with the Kwando and Linyanti river systems and only started flowing again recently after a dry period of almost 30 years. The wildlife behaviour here is similar to that in the Linyanti and Kwando, with a consistent number of resident game, which increases during the dry period (May/June - October). Selinda is also well known for Wild Dog sightings, with a resident pack that has denned around the camps continuously for several years. Dereck and Beverly Joubert have set up the majority of camps within the concession and as their background lies in wildlife photography and filmmaking, they have introduced the option for professional camera rentals as well as tuition, during your stay (bookable in advance). 

How to get there, things do to and where to stay: 
Today the area is only accessible by aircraft to either of the camps located inside the concession and light aircraft transfers are available from most locations in northern Botswana. Self-drive is no longer an option, since the Selinda Spillway started flowing.

The accommodation located in the eastern parts of Selinda fall under the Great Plains Conservation portfolio and offer a variety of activities, including day and night game drives, bushwalks, boat cruises, canoeing and photography tuition, although one needs to bear in mind that all water based activities are subject to water levels. If you are seeking ultimate luxury your choice in accommodation would be Zarafa. For something a bit more simplistic with the same level of service, the Selinda Explorers camp would be a better alternative. 

There is only one lodge located in the western parts of the concession called Motswiri, which specialises in horse riding safaris. In addition, they also offer game drives, walking trails, mokoro, boat cruises, canoeing and fly-camping. 


Kwando
Kwando is the easternmost concession of the group, which is situated on the south bank of the Kwando river. It is one of the larger privately run wildlife concessions, measuring 2320 km² and is host to only 2 camps. The camps are managed by Kwando Safaris, who take a slightly different approach to game drives. You will be accompanied by both a guide and tracker, increasing the chances of spotting wildlife, with 4 experienced eyes on the lookout, instead of 2. At the same time, it allows the guide to take a bit more time to interact with the customers and share his knowledge. It has become an increasingly popular destination, especially due to it's incredible predator sightings and high concentration of elephants. The African Wild dog is one of the highlights, with a pack denning near Lebala Camp in the southern part of the concession. 

How to get there, things do to and where to stay: 
This area is only accessible via fly-in safari and accommodation would be at either Lebala or Lagoon Camps. Due to the fact that the Wild Dogs are more present around Lebala Camp, it would be my first choice in accommodation here, although the activity program is a bit more limited.

Both camps offer game drives and guided bushwalks which are included in the rates. Due to Lagoon Camps close proximity to the river, they also offer boat cruises and fishing (seasonal).