The Linyanti Safaris

The Linyanti is made up of private concessions, so you can often enjoy a safari session without seeing another vehicle! This is a fantastically diverse landscape to explore and is home to some rare species of antelope, like sable and roan. Sitatunga, hippo pods, and crocodiles abound in the wet regions, while large herds of buffalo and zebra live on the plains.

There’s plenty of birdlife too, with over 450 recorded species including the martial eagle, African skimmer, and carmine bee-eater, which often flies alongside the vehicle picking off disturbed insects. Game drives take place in the early morning, when there’s often still activity taking place from the night before, and from mid-afternoon until it’s time for sundowners.

Expertly guided walks are often the most exciting and rewarding way to explore wildlife close to camp. Led by specially trained guides, you can learn much more about the smaller animals, like frogs, insects, and flora, while your guide will teach you about animal dung and how to track larger animals. Walking is generally a calmer safari activity – however, if you’re lucky, you may come across a predator with its prey.

Walking safaris can be as long as you wish them to be, with guides able to cater for all physical abilities. They’re best enjoyed in the morning when the day is at its coolest, and this is also the time when the night’s battles are written large across the landscape!

This exclusive area offers the full range of safari activities, and night driving is one we recommend experiencing at least once. Drives take place between sundown and usually around midnight, depending on what you find. A spotlight is used to illuminate the area surrounding the vehicle. There are plenty of nocturnal creatures to be spotted, like the bush baby, serval, honey badger, and civet. If you’re lucky, you might spot the rare aardvark or aardwolf.

Darkness transforms the bush into a hunting ground for Africa’s most fearsome predators. In peak season, you can often come across a big cat with its kill. There’s also the joy of simply being out at night that really strikes you – the sounds of the African night are intoxicating, coupled with the majesty of the stars above.

These are very good in the Linyanti. With camps often located close to water sources, time spent on the river gives you a unique safari experience. Excellent for birding, many species can be seen in the trees and woodland that line the banks. The Linyanti and Kwando Rivers offer some spectacular sights, with thousands of elephants arriving in the dry season. Crocodiles and hippo pods abound as you explore the waterways and lagoons. Boating offers you a different pace of safari too. A cruise can be a lovely thing to do in the afternoon as the sun starts to set and the light changes, bringing glorious photographic opportunities, and all while enjoying sundowners on the river!

An entirely different way to view the land and the movement of animals is from the air. Scenic helicopter flights are popular in Botswana, with many lodges offering this as an extra activity, at extra cost. You can witness the topography in its entirety, taking in the mountains, rivers, and savanna, and how they are connected. One of the good things about helicopter flights is that you can travel great distances and reach inaccessible areas. You’ll touch down in a remote and beautiful spot for a picnic, before taking to the skies again. If you’d like to include a flight on your trip, do discuss with your Botswana specialist where best to include this. Different locations offer different flight experiences.