The Linyanti
When the Okavango experiences exceptional flooding, the Selinda Spillway feeds water into the Linyanti River, linking the Chobe and the Okavango systems. In this time the flood plains around the Linyanti resemble those of the Okavango, with meandering waterways through papyrus beds and a maze of little islands. Wild date palms and tall riverine trees line the flow, which ultimately links up with the Chobe and then the Zambezi. Wildlife includes crocodile, hippo, and a host of fish species; wild dog, lion, elephant, lechwe, sable, impala and so on. There are over 300 species of birds in the area, including the white pelican, scarlet-chested sunbird and tinkling cisticola. Near the airstrip at Linyanti is the only known colony of carmine bee-eaters nesting on flat land.
Between the north-western point of the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta are three private tourism concession areas run by safari operators. The Selinda Reserve one such, and has two luxury tented camps and a small private lodge in the Chobe National Park. Canoeing and walking trails can be tailor made to the visitor.
Related Travel Information
Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Moremi is the most diversified of all the Botswana parks in terms of wildlife and scenery and many people that is the most beautiful. Located on the northeastern part of the Okavango Delta, Moremi contains over 1160 miles (3000 sq Kms) of permanent swamps, islands, floodplains, forests and dry land. The park’s boundaries have been recently extended to the west and the northwest, significantly enlarging its size.
In the riparian forest you may spot elephants, greater kudu, Southern giraffes, impala, buffalo along with such predators like lions, leopard, wild dog, ratel (honey badger), spotted hyena and cheetah. Elephant
The Savuti
Regarded by many as the prime wildlife viewing area, Savuti is in the western section of the park, and is renowned for great concentrations of both elephants and lions. Wild dog, cheetah and leopard are also often sighted. Situated at the head of the Mababe Depression, once a great lake, and held in the arm of the Magwikhwe Sand Ridge, the Savuti Marsh is anything but wet. This is the culmination of the Savuti Channel, a spillway for overflow from the Linyanti and Chobe floodwaters and very occasionally the Okavango spills a little floodwater into the Channel. Flowing in
MAKGADIKGADI PANS GAME RESERVE
It is said that both "kalahari" and "makgadikgadi" stem from the same ancient San word for thirst-land. Both share waterless flat rolling grasslands and scrub, but the Makgadikgadi, which ironically has more water in the wet season, has a particularly desert-like ambience.
The area referred to as the Makgadikgadi Pans is composed of two huge salt pans, Ntwetwe and Sowa, and their associated grasslands. Only a tiny section of this vast area - said to be the biggest salt pans in the world - is actually designated National Park. You probably wouldn't even know when you're in
THE OKAVANGO DELTA AND THE MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE
There are several names associated with incredible wildlife areas, such as the Serengeti, the Galapogos, the Great Barrier Reef. The Okavango Delta is one such. One of the largest inland deltas in the world, the Okavango is a birdwatcher's delight, a fisherman's challenge, a romantic's Eden. Spilling down from the highlands of Angola, the third largest river in southern Africa winds its way south west into Botswana's dry Ngamiland, where it hits a fault line and sprawls like an outstretched hand into the ancient, bleached sands of the Kalahari. Gradually the waters deposit
