Location: border between Botswana and Namibia
Area:n275 000 acres (111 288 hectares)
The Linyanti Swamp, also known as the Linyanti Wetlands or Marshes, is a vast, pristine wilderness area in northern Botswana, forming part of the larger Kwando-Linyanti-Chobe ecosystem. Situated between the Okavango Delta to the west and Chobe National Park to the east, it lies along the Linyanti River, which marks the border with Namibia's Caprivi Strip. This remote region spans approximately 1,250 square kilometers within the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve and is characterized by seasonal floodplains, lagoons, and marshes that support one of Africa's most diverse and concentrated wildlife populations. As a private concession area, it offers exclusive, low-impact safaris with minimal human presence, emphasizing conservation and immersion in an untamed landscape.
The Linyanti region's history is tied to ancient geological and hydrological processes. The area, including the Savuti Marsh within the broader system, is a relic of a large inland lake whose water supply was disrupted by tectonic movements millennia ago. The Savuti Channel, which intermittently feeds the marshes, has experienced cycles of flooding and drying, with notable wet periods from 1967 to 1981 and resuming in 2008, influenced by seismic activity and rainfall patterns. Human history in the region is less documented, but it has long been inhabited by indigenous groups like the San Bushmen, whose tracking and survival knowledge is incorporated into modern safari experiences. In the 20th century, the area was designated as part of Botswana's protected zones, with Chobe National Park established in 1967 and expanded to include the Linyanti Marshes. Conservation efforts intensified in the 1990s with private concessions like Linyanti, Selinda, and Kwando, transforming former hunting areas into photographic safari destinations to preserve the ecosystem amid growing tourism.
The Linyanti Swamp features a mosaic of habitats shaped by the Kwando and Linyanti Rivers, which originate in the Angolan highlands and flow through the Caprivi Strip before forming expansive wetlands. Key geographical elements include seasonal floodplains, meandering lagoons, papyrus-reed swamps, open grasslands, dense riverine forests, mopane woodlands, and acacia thickets. The Selinda Spillway uniquely connects the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti system, allowing bidirectional water flow depending on seasonal floods. During the wet season, the marshes expand into verdant, waterlogged plains dotted with tree islands, while the dry season concentrates water in permanent channels and lagoons. The terrain is relatively flat, with occasional baobab trees and rocky outcrops, creating dramatic vistas of sunsets over the river and star-filled skies. This semi-arid to wetland transition supports a dynamic ecosystem, with the Linyanti River serving as a vital lifeline during drier months.
Linyanti is renowned as an elephant stronghold, hosting one of Africa's highest concentrations—up to 50,000 Kalahari elephants, part of the continent's largest continuous population, often seen in massive herds along the riverbanks and floodplains. Large herbivores like buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, and eland roam the grasslands, with rare antelope species including roan, sable, tsessebe, red lechwe, sitatunga, puku, waterbuck, and the endemic Chobe bushbuck thriving in the wetlands. Predators are abundant, with lions (famous for hunting elephants), leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and endangered African wild dogs preying on the plentiful game. Smaller mammals such as baboons, monkeys, porcupines, and bush babies add to the diversity. Reptiles like crocodiles and monitor lizards inhabit the waters, alongside hippos in the lagoons. Birdlife is exceptional, with over 450 species recorded, including migratory flocks, endangered wattled cranes, African skimmers, carmine bee-eaters, saddle-billed storks, fish eagles, and jacanas. The marshes attract aquatic birds, while woodlands host raptors and bee-eaters. This biodiversity hotspot benefits from the area's remoteness, supporting over 100 mammal species and serving as a critical habitat for threatened wildlife.
As a private reserve, Linyanti offers exclusive, low-density lodges
and camps focused on luxury and sustainability. Options include:
DumaTau Camp: Eight spacious tented suites with private plunge pools,
solar-powered, overlooking Osprey Lagoon for elephant viewing; includes
family units.
Little DumaTau: A smaller, intimate version with four
suites, emphasizing exclusivity and privacy for groups.
King's Pool
Camp: Nine thatched luxury rooms with indoor-outdoor showers and plunge
pools, set along the Linyanti River with hides for wildlife observation.
Savuti Camp: Seven tents along the Savuti Channel, offering views of
elephant herds and predator activity.
Linyanti Bush Camp: Six luxury
tents blending rustic charm with modern amenities like en-suite
bathrooms and decks, on the marsh edge.
Linyanti Ebony: Four
family-friendly tents with lounges and open-air bathrooms, ideal for
multi-generational groups.
Linyanti Tented Camp: Four rustic-elegant
tents with a central mess area and log-pile hide for discreet game
viewing.
Selinda Camp and Zarafa Camp: Deluxe options in the adjacent
Selinda Concession, featuring opulent tents and river views.
Camps
provide gourmet dining, often al fresco under the stars, with
award-winning wines and personalized service, ensuring a blend of
comfort and wilderness immersion.
Private concessions allow flexible, off-road activities not permitted in national parks. Core experiences include day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, tracking predators and herds across floodplains. Boat safaris and mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions navigate the rivers and lagoons, offering close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Walking safaris, guided by expert trackers including San Bushmen, explore tracks, plants, and smaller fauna. Night drives reveal nocturnal species like aardvarks, genets, and servals. Additional options include catch-and-release fishing for tigerfish, scenic helicopter flights for aerial views of wetlands and migrations, birdwatching hides, and cultural interactions. Relaxation features spa treatments, plunge pools, and stargazing, with camps limiting vehicles for intimate sightings.
Linyanti is integral to the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, spanning five countries and protecting wildlife corridors for migrations. Managed under Botswana's Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act, it features anti-poaching units that have reduced threats, maintaining a pristine environment with minimal development. Private operators like Wilderness emphasize sustainable tourism, using solar energy, monitoring biodiversity via helicopter surveys, and supporting community employment. Efforts focus on preserving elephant populations, rare antelopes, and wetlands, ensuring open habitats for species movement. The area's UNESCO tentative listing highlights its role in ecological processes and biodiversity conservation.
The dry season (May to October) is optimal, with wildlife congregating at water sources for superb viewing; August to October peaks with elephant herds and predators. The wet season (November to April) brings lush greenery, migratory birds, newborn animals, and lower rates, though some roads may flood. Malaria risk is present year-round, higher in wet months; prophylactics are advised. Access is via charter flights from Maun or Kasane to private airstrips (about 1-2 hours), or road transfers from Kasane (3-4 hours on rough tracks). The remoteness keeps visitor numbers low, even in peak season.
Linyanti's allure lies in its seclusion as one of Africa's last true wildernesses, with the Savuti Channel's unpredictable flows creating dramatic ecological shifts. It's a predator paradise, with specialized lion prides and wild dog packs, alongside the continent's densest elephants. The wetlands' bidirectional spillways and birding hotspots add rarity, offering transformative safaris in an unspoiled setting.