Linyanti & Selinda
Botswana's secret wilderness corridor — wild dog stronghold, canoeing the Selinda Spillway, and zero crowds.
About Linyanti & Selinda
The Linyanti and Selinda concessions form a private wilderness corridor of approximately 3,200 square kilometres along the Linyanti River in northern Botswana, connecting the Okavango Delta to Chobe National Park. This area is Botswana's best-kept secret — offering wildlife densities comparable to Chobe and the Okavango without the brand recognition that drives visitor numbers to those better-known destinations. The Linyanti River and the seasonal Savuti Channel provide the water that makes this ecosystem so productive. During the dry season, the Linyanti Marsh and Zibadianja Lagoon become magnets for elephant herds numbering in the thousands, alongside buffalo, hippo, and a full complement of predators. The area is a stronghold for African wild dog — the Linyanti packs are among the most habituated and frequently observed in Botswana — and lion prides here are large and active, benefiting from the abundance of prey concentrated along the waterways. The Selinda Spillway, a natural waterway connecting the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti system, has experienced periods of flow and drought that mirror the Savuti Channel's enigmatic behaviour. When flowing, the spillway creates a remarkable canoe safari route through pristine wilderness. Camps in the Linyanti-Selinda area operate on private concessions, meaning off-road driving, walking safaris, night drives, and boating are all available. The combination of water-based and land-based activities, exceptional predator sightings, and very low visitor densities makes Linyanti-Selinda one of the most rewarding safari areas in Southern Africa for experienced travellers seeking genuine wilderness immersion.
When to Go
June to October for dry season wildlife concentrations along the Linyanti River. The wild dog denning season (June-September) is the best time for pack sightings. Green season (November-March) offers excellent birding and lower rates.
What You'll See
Large elephant herds, lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog (major stronghold), buffalo, hippo, crocodile, sable antelope, roan antelope, wild cat, civet, 400+ bird species including Pel's fishing owl and African skimmer.
Your Journey Begins
Light aircraft from Maun (approximately 45 minutes) or Kasane (approximately 30 minutes) to private concession airstrips. No road access to most camps. The area is typically combined with the Okavango Delta or Chobe in a multi-camp itinerary.
More Destinations in Botswana
Okavango Delta
The world's largest inland delta — mokoro safaris, fly-in camps, and 22,000 km² of pristine Kalahari wetland.
ExploreChobe National Park
50,000 elephants along the Chobe River — Africa's greatest concentration of the world's largest land animal.
ExploreChobe National Park
Africa's greatest elephant concentration — 50,000 elephants, river-crossing spectacles, and the legendary Savuti lions.
ExploreMakgadikgadi Pans & Central Kalahari
The world's largest salt pans and second-largest game reserve — meerkats, flamingos, and Kalahari black-maned lions.
ExplorePlan Your Safari
Let our experts craft a bespoke Linyanti & Selinda itinerary tailored to your dreams.