Bordered to the west by the Selinda Wildlife Reserve, to the east by Chobe National Park, and to the north by the Linyanti River, Linyanti Swamp system and Namibia, is the remote and inaccessible private safari concession NG15, aka, the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve gets its name from the Linyanti River which forms its northern boundary. The river divides the lush Caprivi Strip and Linyanti Swamp system of Namibia with the waterways, lagoons, floodplains, forests and grasslands of the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in Botswana. The reserve is 275,000 acres of private wildlife concession unfenced with its neighbors allowing game to roam freely, and home to only four small safari camps accessible only by light aircraft offering visitors a private un-crowded and game rich safari experience. For clarification – the Linyanti River begins its life on the central plateau of Angola where it is called the Kwando River (also spelled Cuando), then its name changes to the Linyanti River where it hits a fault line and turns northeast, then the name changes again to the Chobe River before it flows into the Zambezi River and tumbles over Victoria Falls.
Game viewing in the reserve is focused along the banks of the Linyanti River, the Savuti Channel, and the forests and grasslands of the interior. The Linyanti River is characterized by hippo and croc filled pools and lagoons, marshes with aquatic sitatunga and red lechwe antelope and abundant birdlife, and massive herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra during the dry season with predators constantly keeping watch. Birdlife along the river is tremendous especially during the Green Season when the summer migrants are in the area. Open floodplains along the river attract antelopes, predators and large baboon troops. Beyond the floodplains 
there is a band of riverine forest home to kudu and leopard, and inland are huge dry mopane forests and grasslands with abundant giraffe and antelope populations. Running through the middle of the reserve is the famous Savuti Channel (spelled ‘Savuti’ outside the Chobe National Park, and ‘Savute’ inside the national park).
The Savuti Channel starts in the Linyanti Swamps, meanders through the reserve, and ends at the Savute Marsh in the middle of Chobe National Park. Throughout its history the channel has fluctuated from a flowing river to a dry ribbon of lush grassland. For the last 28 years the channel 
has been dry; but now the channel is once again flowing with water and elephants are happily frolicking, cats are swimming, wild dogs are chasing kudu through the channel, and lion and hyena are battling over kills in the shallow water. Game viewing is spectacular and this is one of the best places in Africa to see the African wild dog and cheetah.
Game Viewing – at its best in the dry season May through October
The reserve is famous for its enormous herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra along the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel during the dry season. Estimates put the number of elephants in the area during this time at around 50,000; it is not uncommon to see over 1,000 per day while on safari. Thousands of zebra spend the winter around the Linyanti Swamp system before heading south to the Savuti in November in expectation of summer rains and good grazing. During the Green Season, water is readily available throughout the area, animals are much more spread-out so the density of game viewing is not nearly as good as during the dry season.
Predator viewing is exceptional – The main predators are lion, cheetah, wild dog, hyena and leopard.
Hippos, crocs, fish and water birds are abundant in the waterways and lagoons.
There are high concentrations of giraffe, baboon, vervet monkey and warthog.
Antelope species include: Wildebeest, impala, kudu, waterbuck, red lechwe, sable, roan, eland, and the aquatic sitatunga.
Birding is phenomenal especially during the Green Season. Species include: kori bustard, carmine bee-eater, wattled crane, slaty egret, woodland kingfisher, African skimmer, and a host of summer migrants.
Night drives provide the opportunity to see nocturnal animals such as bushbaby, spring hare, aardwolf, serval, genet, porcupine and pangolin.
Activities include: off-road game drives morning, afternoon and night; walking safaris; canoeing, boating and fishing depending on water levels.
Green Season: November-April: rain falls during the warm months of November to March with high temperatures and humidity. Game spreads out as water is readily available inland. Exceptional birding.
Dry Season: May - October: sunshine evaporates the inland waterholes and water becomes scarce forcing animals to congregate in huge numbers along the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel. Game is at its most dense and easily visible. October is the hottest month. The prolific and diverse wildlife and scenery form a wonderful contrast to the Okavango Delta creating a nice compliment to a Botswana itinerary.
Linyanti Wildlife Reserve camps 
DumaTau
Kings Pool Camp
Savuti Camp
Linyanti Tented Camp
Tags: Botswana, Botswana safari, Chobe River, Duma Tau, Kings Pool Camp, Kwando River, Linyanti, Linyanti River, Linyanti Swamp, Linyanti Tented Camp, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Okavango Delta, Savute channel, Savuti Camp
Hey Matt – thanks for this fabulous blog post. It’s very interesting knowing the history of the Savuti/Linyanti area. I was very fortunate to spend two weeks in Botswana with about 4 days in the Linyanti area staying at Savuti Camp, Duma Tau and Kings Pool, such beautiful camps and I know people who’ve stayed at Beks’ Linyanti Tented Camp – what a beautiful part of the world and such good game viewing.
Thanks for this info. We loved the presentations last week and have been looking through the Wilderness brochures. We’re trying to hammer down a time, and though Xmas vacation would be easiest with kids, it seems like the dry season is a better choice if animal viewing is really important to us.
Hi Nina – for this particular area the dry season is definitely best for game viewing. However, if you do have your heart set on seeing Linyanti, and can only travel in December, DumaTau Camp is the one I would choose; the general game viewing should be good, but the massive elephant herds will be dispersed resulting in fewer sightings. But, the scenery will be beautiful and the bush full of life, the birds abundant, antelopes will be giving birth, animals will be strong and healthy, and the camp rates will be cheaper. If Xmas vacation is the best time for you to travel, I recommend spending a few days in Cape Town, South Africa as well, the weather should be tremendous and the spirit very festive, but you must book early over the holidays! In December I recommend two safari camps in South Africa, followed by Cape Town, and then two camps in Botswana, preferably the Okavango Delta.
Thanks for highlighting this often overlooked gem in Botswana. For the “do-it-yourself” traveler who isn’t going the luxury-lodge route, the Linyanti area is still an accessible destination as the Department of Wildlife and National Parks has a campsite up there. For self-drivers, this campsite is often skipped as it is a bit out-of-the-way for your normal Kasane-Maun itinerary, but the extra time taken to reach Linyanti is well worth it. In early July, nearing the peak of tourist season, I had the entire campsite all to myself and was the only visitor for 3 days (excluding the large bull elephant that visited our campsite for most of the afternoon and all evening on our 2nd day!). The downside is that the Dept. of Wildlife only controls a wedge of about 7 km along the river – private concessions for the luxury lodges control the rest. Therefore, game-drives are over pretty quick. However, this made for an enjoyable camping experience for me as I didn’t have to spend my entire day in the car to feel like I saw the place. The biggest draw for the Linyanti campsite would be the elephants and the spectacular view of the river (swamp may be more accurate). A close encounter with an elephant is almost guaranteed here as during the dry season, they are total creatures of habit and will come to the water to drink in the same spot every afternoon – and some of those spots are in the middle of the campsite! So if you are self-driving through Chobe, it is worth the effort to spend an afternoon in Linyanti if you can!
Thanks for the comment BotswanaTraveler! Just for clarification for the blog readers – this campsite you speak of is located within Chobe National Park, and because this area of the park is so tiny, the campsite sees very few visitors. The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve borders this part of the Chobe National Park, but access into Linyanti is strictly regulated by the government controlled concession numbers; you cannot self-drive in and there are only three small safari camps and one mobile tented camp. I just wanted to clarify this, Botswana Traveler is right though that it is possible to experience the Linyanti “area” at this campsite, just know that it is not in the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve but rather within the Chobe National Park so national park rules apply – no off-roading on game drives, no night drives and no walking safaris.
Thanks for clarifying Matt. You are totally right on all your points – the distinction between National Parks, Game Reserves, and private concessions is important and not always easy to understand when trying to plan a trip! I’m enjoying the blog and the resources of your website – especially that it is making travel to Southern Africa easier for Americans!
Greetings BotswanaTraveler,
Your feedback on the blog is much appreciated and very beneficial to the readers, thank you! It seems we are kindred spirits with regard to our passion for southern Africa. If you have any trip reports and or stories from your travels that you think would benefit the readers please let me know, I would love to post them on this blog site. I am leaving for South Africa Nov. 8, I will be staying in 18 safari camps in 21 days, visiting Madikwe Game Reserve, Timbavati, and Sabi Sands; can’t wait! Do you have any plans yet to return to Africa?
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
Greetings Russia,
Thanks for asking permission Polprav, feel free to quote from the blog, and thanks for the link!
matt
[...] Botswana Safari: Part III – Linyanti Wildlife Reserve & Savuti … [...]
I just got back last week from a little Linyanti Safari time and had to say that it was fabulous (despite the fact that it is green season) and thought I’d share a few comments.
My favourite camp was Savuti (Wilderness Safaris property). I found it to be incredibly special given that the Savuti Channel has now begun to flow. The camp is ideally located right on the Channel and have beautiful views to the water. Hippos, elephants and red lechwe were always on display, in the water, during my few days there.
On game drives, I experienced some wonderful elephant interactions, managed to see plenty of lions, cheetah were spotted on the game drive the day I arranged to sleep in (go figure), red lechwe, hippos, multitude of birds (most notably a beautiful flock of carmine bee eaters) and more.
I would be re-miss if I didn’t mention the staff at Savuti … Simply put – they were devine.
I would highly recommend a Linyanti Safari / Savuti Safari be added to your ‘bucket list’!!
Interesting Blog and fabulous to read all the comments! The beauty of private concessions (such as the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve operated by Wilderness Safaris) compared to public National Parks (such as the Chobe National Park) is that the concessions offer restricted access to few travellers, whereas National parks are open to everyone, which can result in crowding at sightings. In addition, this concession offers nature walks, night drives and off road access to prime sightings when required. With many miles of Linyanti riverfront and access to the now flowing Savuti Channel, any Botswana luxury safari should include a visit to this magnificent region.
Greetings SafariKim!
Each word of knowledge helps the readers immensely, your multiple are much appreciated on this blog!!
safaricraig and I will be in Botswana end Apr early May, touring Linyanti, Savuti and the Okavango Delta. See you soon!! mb
I’m grateful for you because of this excellent articles. You genuinely did make my day :