Linyanti Wildlife Reserve Luxury Safaris

The best time to visit Linyanti is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife gathers along the Linyanti River and viewing is at its most rewarding. Elephant and buffalo herds are especially impressive in these months, and predator activity increases around shrinking water sources.

From November to April, the green season brings dramatic skies, quieter camps and outstanding birding with the arrival of migratory species. Linyanti is remote year round, making it a strong choice for travellers who prefer uncrowded wilderness and intimate sightings.

Linyanti is one of Botswana’s strongest regions for predators, with reliable sightings of lion, leopard, hyena and some of the country’s best wild dog viewing. Large elephant and buffalo herds move through the area in the dry season, often crossing or swimming the Linyanti River. Guests also encounter hippo, giraffe, zebra, sable, roan and an exceptional diversity of birdlife across marshes, woodlands and floodplains.

Yes, the Linyanti offers excellent water-based experiences, especially along the Linyanti River and the Savuti Channel. Guests can enjoy scenic boat cruises, riverbank wildlife viewing and the unforgettable sight of elephants swimming or crossing between Botswana and Namibia. These activities provide a beautiful contrast to traditional game drives and create some of the most atmospheric moments in the reserve.

However, the Linyanti is not a fully water-based ecosystem like the Okavango Delta. Water levels depend on seasonal patterns, and activities such as mokoro excursions are not typically offered here. Instead, the region is best known for its predators, large elephant herds and remote private-concession wilderness.

Together, the land and river experiences create a rich and varied safari without the crowds found in other parts of Botswana.

The Okavango Delta and the Linyanti offer two very different safari experiences. The Delta is known for its intricate waterways, mokoro excursions, boat safaris and a blend of land and water activities. Its seasonal floods create lush habitats ideal for varied wildlife viewing and scenic water-based experiences.

Linyanti, by contrast, is a more remote, drier and less-visited ecosystem dominated by riverine forests, marshes and open plains. It is one of Botswana’s top areas for wild dogs, large elephant herds and big predators, with very few vehicles in the entire region. Linyanti focuses more on land safaris and river activities rather than the channel-based mokoro experiences common in the Delta.

Both regions complement each other beautifully, offering very different perspectives on Botswana’s wilderness.

Together, these regions complement each other beautifully, giving travellers a balanced Botswana safari that blends waterways, big predators and pristine wilderness.

Quick Comparison: Okavango Delta vs Linyanti

Okavango Delta

• Seasonal floodplains, channels and waterways
• Mokoro excursions and boat safaris
• Mix of land and water activities
• Excellent lion, leopard and wild dog viewing
• Remote luxury camps on islands and private concessions
• Best June to October for flood-based activities

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

• Drier, more remote, riverine wilderness
• Exceptional elephant concentrations
• Superb predator viewing, especially wild dogs
• Exclusive private concessions with very few vehicles
• Strong dry-season game viewing from June to October