The Linyanti and Selinda concessions are among the most exclusive safari areas in Africa — vast tracts of private wilderness strung between the Okavango Delta and Chobe, watered by the Kwando and Linyanti rivers and the remarkable Selinda Spillway, a channel that in high-flood years links the two great river systems. Because these are private concessions rather than a national park, camps here operate off-road drives, night drives and walking safaris, and vehicle numbers are strictly limited — so a sighting is yours alone. In the dry season the Linyanti waterfront draws enormous herds of elephant, rivalling Chobe for sheer numbers, while lion, leopard, spotted hyena and one of the continent's healthiest populations of endangered wild dog hunt across the floodplains and mopane. Selinda adds its own magic: the seasonal spillway, superb predator action and the famous canoe trail. This is big, wild, low-density Africa at its most private — the country connoisseurs return to again and again.
We don't just find you a camp. We find you the wilderness with no one else in it. Private concessions mean off-road, night drives and walking — and sightings that are yours alone. We know which camps hold the wild-dog packs, which face the elephant waterfront, and when the spillway runs for canoeing.
At a glance, The Linyanti & Selinda Concessions, Botswana spans 4,000+ km² private concessions, elephant, wild dog & big cats, protected since Private concessions — and the best time to be here is typically May – October.
Off-Road Predator Game Drive
On private land, guides can leave the track and follow a hunt across the floodplain — something national parks forbid. Morning and afternoon drives track lion prides, leopard and cheetah with a freedom and closeness that few areas allow, and with rarely another vehicle in sight. It is safari at its most exclusive and immersive.
- Open-vehicle drive
- Off-road access
- Professional guide
- Sundowner stop
Why Go
- Private concessions — off-road drives, night drives and walking, with very few vehicles
- Dry-season elephant herds on the Linyanti to rival Chobe
- One of Africa's great strongholds for endangered African wild dog
- Superb big cats — lion prides, leopard and cheetah across the floodplains
- The Selinda Spillway — a channel linking the Okavango and Linyanti systems
- The Selinda Canoe Trail — a rare multi-day paddling adventure (seasonal)
The Wildlife You Come For
Of the Big Five you can expect African Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo here. Here is what the guiding team looks for on a typical few days in the bush.
African Wild Dog. A major stronghold for the endangered painted wolf
African Elephant. Vast dry-season herds on the Linyanti waterfront
Lion. Strong prides hunting buffalo and elephant along the rivers
Leopard. Frequently seen on off-road and night drives
Buffalo. Big herds on the floodplains, prime prey for lion
Cheetah. Hunt the open Selinda plains
Spotted Hyena. Active clans, often seen at kills and on night drives
Hippopotamus. Pods in the Linyanti and Selinda channels
The Experiences Worth Planning Around
Off-Road Predator Game Drive
3–4 hours (twice daily) · Game Drive
On private land, guides can leave the track and follow a hunt across the floodplain — something national parks forbid. Morning and afternoon drives track lion prides, leopard and cheetah with a freedom and closeness that few areas allow, and with rarely another vehicle in sight. It is safari at its most exclusive and immersive.
Best for: Big cats, Photographers, Return safari-goers.
Tracking Wild Dogs
3–4 hours · Wildlife
The Linyanti and Selinda are legendary for the African wild dog. In denning season (roughly June–August) guides follow a pack from its den on explosive hunts across the plains — arguably the most exciting spectacle in the safari world. With off-road freedom and few vehicles, sightings here are intimate and unforgettable.
Best for: Serious wildlife enthusiasts, Photographers, Return safari-goers.
Night Drive for Nocturnal Hunters
2–3 hours · Night Safari
After dark, a spotlight reveals the wilderness few ever see — leopard on the prowl, spotted hyena, civet, genet, honey badger, porcupine and springhare. Night drives are permitted on these private concessions but not in the national parks, adding a thrilling second dimension to your safari day.
Best for: Return safari-goers, Photographers, Nocturnal wildlife.
Guided Walking Safari
2–3 hours · Walking Safari
Step out on foot with an armed professional guide and read the bush from the ground — tracks, dung, birdsong and the tension of a fresh kill. Walking the Linyanti's floodplains and woodlands brings a heightened awareness impossible from a vehicle, and a deep respect for the wild country around you.
Best for: Active travellers, Nature lovers, Return safari-goers.
Linyanti Waterfront & Boating
2–3 hours (water permitting) · Water Safari
When the rivers and lagoons are full, boat and mokoro trips open the Linyanti and Selinda channels — drifting past hippo and elephant, with kingfishers, storks and fish eagles crowding the reeds. In the dry season the same waterfront draws vast elephant herds down to drink, a spectacle to rival Chobe.
Best for: Photographers, Birders, Couples.
The Selinda Canoe Trail
3–4 days (seasonal) · Unique
In high-flood years, paddle the Selinda Spillway on a rare multi-day canoe adventure — gliding between mobile fly-camps as elephant cross ahead and the wilderness slips by at water level. Guided by expert canoeists and trackers, it is one of Africa's most sought-after slow-safari journeys and utterly unlike anything else.
Best for: Adventurers, Return safari-goers, Active travellers.
What a Linyanti & Selinda Safari Costs
Prices vary widely depending on camp tier, season and length of stay. Here is what you can expect to pay per person per night, and what a typical 3-night Linyanti add-on costs in total, including flights from Maun or Kasane, all meals, activities, off-road drives, night drives and park fees.
| Tier | Per Person / Night | 3 Nights (Total pp) | 4 Nights (Total pp) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value / Classic | US$850 – $1,100 | $5,500 – $7,500 | $7,200 – $9,800 | Linyanti Bush Camp, Savuti Camp — great value, tented camps, off-road drives, night drives, walking, elephant hide, private concessions |
| Upscale / Luxury | $1,500 – $1,800 | $10,500 – $13,500 | $13,800 – $17,800 | Selinda Camp, DumaTau, Kings Pool — contemporary luxury, lagoon/waterfront settings, private plunge pools, star-beds, photographic barges, wild dog access |
| Ultra-Luxury / Flagship | $2,400+ | $15,000 – $18,000 | $19,500 – $23,500 | Zarafa Camp — just 4 suites on Selinda, copper baths, fireplaces, photographic kit provided in each room, Great Plains flagship, world-renowned exclusivity |
Best value months: November (shoulder), December – February (green season) and April offer 20–40% lower rates than peak dry-season (June – September). Green season is lush, dramatic and excellent for birding — though wild dog denning is dry-season only.
When to Visit: Linyanti & Selinda by Season
The Linyanti and Selinda are prime dry-season destinations — enormous elephant herds, wild dog denning and predator action May–October. Green season is lush, quiet and excellent value. Here is the full 12-month breakdown.
| Month | Wildlife ⭐ | Weather | Highlights | Best For | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hot, afternoon storms | Green season, lush plains, migratory birds, newborns | Birding, photographers (dramatic skies), fewer crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| February | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hot, wet | Zebra arrival on Linyanti floodplains, Selinda Spillway at its fullest | Green landscapes, water activities (if spillway flows), value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| March | ⭐⭐⭐ | Warm, rains easing | Zebra peak, buffalo herds, predators active, lush | Photographers, birders, families (warmer weather) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| April | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Pleasant, dry | Transitional — still green, wildlife concentrating, excellent value | Shoulder season — best all-round value with good wildlife | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| May | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cool mornings, warm days | Dry season begins, elephants arriving at waterfront, predators active | Early dry-season, fewer crowds, wildlife building | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| June | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cool, dry | Elephant herds surging, wild dog denning begins, leopard/lion peak | WILD DOG DENNING STARTS, elephant herds, big cats, photographers | ⭐⭐ |
| July | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cool, dry, crisp | Peak wild dog denning, massive elephant herds, night drive predators | WILD DOG PEAK, elephant waterfront spectacle, serious wildlife enthusiasts | ⭐⭐ |
| August | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cool, dry | Wild dog denning ends, elephants at maximum, leopard/cheetah superb | Peak dry-season wildlife, off-road predator tracking, photographers | ⭐⭐ |
| September | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Warming, dry | Elephants still concentrated, predators hunting near water, excellent game | Dry-season tail end, still superb wildlife, warming up | ⭐⭐ |
| October | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hot (up to 40°C), dry | Very hot but wildlife near water, anticipation of rains | Extreme heat but good predator action at waterholes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| November | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hot, first rains | Shoulder season, greening begins, elephants dispersing, excellent value | Shoulder value, fewer crowds, transitional wildlife | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| December | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hot, storms start | Green season begins, migratory birds, lush landscapes, dramatic skies | Birding, photography (storm theatre), value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Verdict: June – August is peak wildlife (wild dog denning, elephant herds, predators). September – October still superb but hotter. April & November offer best value. Nov – March = green season (lush, birding, fewer crowds, 20–40% savings).
Linyanti vs Selinda: Which Concession for You?
While often paired, Linyanti and Selinda have different personalities. Here is how they compare.
| Aspect | Linyanti | Selinda |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Kwando & Linyanti rivers (permanent year-round) | Selinda Spillway (ephemeral — flows in high-flood years only) |
| Signature Wildlife | Massive dry-season elephant herds rivaling Chobe, lion prides, buffalo, hippo | Wild dog stronghold (denning Jun–Aug), cheetah on open plains, elephant, lion, leopard |
| Landscape | Riverine forests, wide floodplains, mopane woodlands, permanent lagoons | Seasonal spillway channel, open floodplains, drier mopane, grasslands |
| Dry Season (May–Oct) | Elephant waterfront spectacle (thousands), predators concentrated near water, boat cruises on river | Wild dog denning peak (Jun–Aug), predator tracking on open plains, cheetah hunts, dry spillway channel |
| Green Season (Nov–Apr) | Lush riverine forests, zebra on floodplains Feb–Apr, birding, dispersed game | Spillway FLOWS in high-flood years (Selinda Canoe Trail possible), dramatic green landscapes, migratory birds |
| Signature Experience | Linyanti waterfront elephant gatherings, photographic barges at Kings Pool, off-road lion/leopard tracking | Selinda Canoe Trail (3–4 day seasonal paddle when spillway flows), wild dog denning walks, cheetah on open plains |
| Camps / Lodges | Kings Pool (photographic barge), DumaTau (Osprey Lagoon), Savuti Camp (elephant hide), Linyanti Bush Camp | Zarafa (ultra-luxury 4 suites), Selinda Camp (spillway edge, canoe trail access), Selinda Explorers (expedition-style) |
| Best For | Elephant enthusiasts, photographers (waterfront gatherings), families (boat cruises), those wanting year-round water | Wild dog trackers, adventurers (canoe trail if spillway flows), cheetah fans, serious predator enthusiasts, exclusivity seekers |
| Access | Light aircraft from Maun or Kasane to Linyanti airstrips | Light aircraft from Maun or Kasane to Selinda airstrips |
Our recommendation: If you want the dry-season elephant waterfront spectacle and year-round water activities, choose Linyanti (Kings Pool, DumaTau). If you want wild dog denning (Jun–Aug), the canoe trail (high-flood years only) or ultimate exclusivity, choose Selinda (Zarafa, Selinda Camp). Most guests split 2 nights Linyanti + 2 nights Selinda for the full northern private-concession experience.
Sample Linyanti & Selinda Itineraries — What They Cost
Here are three real itineraries our team books, showing what you get and what it costs per person, including flights from Maun or Kasane, all meals, activities, off-road drives, night drives, walking and park fees.
| Itinerary | Nights | Camps | Highlights | Cost per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Night Wild Dog & Elephants | 3 | Savuti Camp or Linyanti Bush Camp | Linyanti waterfront elephants (dry season), wild dog tracking (Jun–Aug denning if timed right), off-road lion/leopard, night drives, walking, great value | US$5,500 – $7,500 |
| 4-Night Linyanti + Selinda Split | 2 Linyanti + 2 Selinda | DumaTau or Kings Pool + Selinda Camp | Ultimate northern private concessions: Linyanti elephant waterfront + photographic barge, Selinda wild dog denning (Jun–Aug) + canoe trail access (if spillway flows), off-road predator tracking, night drives, walking | $13,800 – $17,800 |
| 6-Night Delta + Linyanti/Selinda Circuit | 3 Okavango Delta + 3 Linyanti/Selinda | Luxury Delta camp + Zarafa or Kings Pool | Complete northern Botswana: 3 nights Delta water (mokoro, channels, big cats) + 3 nights Linyanti/Selinda private wilderness (wild dogs, elephant herds, off-road freedom, night drives) — water and exclusive dry-season game in one journey | $22,500 – $30,000 |
Budget tip: Book green season (Nov–Apr) for 20–40% savings + lush landscapes and superb birding. Or choose Linyanti Bush Camp or Savuti Camp over ultra-luxury Zarafa to cut costs by $5,000–$8,000 pp without sacrificing the core wild dog and elephant experiences.
Where We Send Our Guests
We hand-pick every camp and lodge we use in The Linyanti & Selinda Concessions, Botswana. These are the addresses we return to, chosen for their guiding, their location and the way they make the wilderness feel like your own.
DumaTau Camp ★★★★★
From $1700 per person per night. Contemporary luxury on a lagoon in the heart of the Linyanti's elephant country — superb predators and a private sleep-out.
- 8 suites
- Osprey Lagoon
- Elephant corridor
- Star-beds
Consistently ranked among Botswana's finest camps
Kings Pool Camp ★★★★★
From $1800 per person per night. Grand tented suites overlooking the Linyanti, with a photographic barge and some of the region's best elephant viewing.
- 9 suites
- Private plunge pools
- Kwando frontage
- Photographic barge
Relais & Châteaux recognised
Zarafa Camp ★★★★★
From $2400 per person per night. One of Africa's most exclusive camps — just four vast tents on Selinda, with photographic equipment provided in each suite.
- 4 tented suites
- Selinda
- Copper baths & fireplaces
- Photographic kit provided
Great Plains flagship, world-renowned
Selinda Camp ★★★★★
From $1500 per person per night. Tiny and refined on the Selinda Spillway — exclusive access to the reserve and the famous canoe trail.
- 3 suites & a villa
- Selinda Spillway
- Intimate
- Canoe trail access
Great Plains Conservation
Savuti Camp ★★★★
From $1100 per person per night. Classic tented camp on the Savute Channel, famous for its elephant hide and superb dry-season game viewing.
- 7 tents
- Savute Channel
- Elephant hide
- Great value
Safari Awards recognised
Linyanti Bush Camp ★★★★
From $850 per person per night. Warm, intimate and excellent value on a private Linyanti concession — off-road drives, night drives and walking.
- 6 tents
- Private concession
- Family unit
- Night drives & walks
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
When to Visit
Dry Season (Peak) (May – Oct). Prime time — enormous elephant herds gather on the Linyanti, wild dogs den (Jun–Aug) and predators are highly active as wildlife concentrates on the water. Wildlife: elephant herds, wild dog, big cats; weather 10–30°C, dry & clear.
Green Season (Low) (Nov – Apr). Summer rains bring lush plains, newborns and migratory birds; quieter, dramatic and better value, with the Selinda Spillway at its fullest in high-flood years. Wildlife: newborns & migrant birds; weather 20–36°C, afternoon storms.
Shoulder Season (Apr, Nov). Transitional months with good wildlife, fewer guests and strong value. Wildlife: good all-round sightings; weather 18–33°C, variable.
Getting There
The Linyanti and Selinda are reached exclusively by light aircraft from Maun or Kasane, landing at private concession airstrips where your camp meets you. Their position between the Okavango Delta and Chobe makes them a natural part of a fly-in northern Botswana circuit — easy to combine with the Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls.
- Maun: Scheduled light-aircraft flight (Delta gateway)
- Chobe / Kasane: Short light-aircraft hop (Adjacent)
- Okavango Delta: Light-aircraft link on the safari circuit (—)
Combine It With
The finest journeys rarely stop at one destination. Here is how our specialists most often pair The Linyanti & Selinda Concessions, Botswana:
- Chobe National Park Botswana — Pair private wilderness with Chobe's elephant river, just a short flight away.
- Moremi Game Reserve — Add the Okavango's water and big cats for a classic northern Botswana circuit.
- Victoria Falls Zimbabwe — Finish on the thundering falls, an easy light-aircraft link from the concessions.
Plan Your Journey
Every trip we craft to The Linyanti & Selinda Concessions, Botswana is private and built around you — your dates, your pace and the wildlife you most want to see. Our specialists have travelled this ground themselves and design each itinerary by hand. Contact our team to begin planning, or explore our The Linyanti & Selinda Concessions, Botswana destination guide for more detail.
