BOTSWANA - Selinda Camp, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve
The Selinda Reserve is a private 135,000 hectare wildlife area which follows the floodplains of the Selinda Spillway. The Selinda Spillway is a waterway that winds its way through dry countryside to connect the Okavango Delta in the west to the Linyanti and Kwando wetlands and rivers in the east. The full length of the Selinda Spillway winds its way through the Selinda Reserve and draws a wonderful variety of wildlife to the area.
The Selinda Reserve is ecologically similar to the Linyanti Reserve, but differs in the greater extent of its floodplains. Like the Linyanti, in the dry winter months enormous herds of elephant remain close to the permanent water of the Zibadianja Lagoon (the Savute Channel's origin) and the Linyanti waters.
The flow of water is very unusual here as, since Botswana is so flat, the water can flow in one of two directions or - as happens in some years - it can flow in both directions! Waters from the Okavango Delta pour into the Selinda Spillway and flow from west to east. In the extreme east of the Selinda, waters from the Kwando and Linyanti rivers and floodplains force their way up the Selinda Spillway from east to west.
ACCOMMODATION:
Selinda Camp's 9 spacious, luxury tents are erected under cool thatch canopies, with panoramic views across the palm-studded floodplains. Each tent has en-suite facilities and an unusually luxurious stone bath. The bathroom is uniquely "open air" with lots of natural light, yet it is fully screened. The tents are spacious and beautifully appointed with furniture and features that have been collected from around Africa. Mosquito nets and overhead fans are standard.
The main area has a series of wooden decks that make the most of the great views. Meals are served out on the deck when weather is good, as it usually is! There is a photo & art gallery built above a temperature-controlled wine cellar and curio shop. There is also a small plunge pool and a traditional campfire.
ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE:
Selinda Camp is a classic Wilderness Safaris camp which overlooks the Selinda Spillway. The location has been chosen for its variety of habitats - wide-open savannahs dotted with palm trees; waterways surrounded by dry woodland; and the river systems and floodplains themselves. These waterways draw thousands of animals in the dry season: antelope and plains game, Burchell's zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, and plenty of elephant and buffalo. Predator viewing on game drives is usually very good, including the incredible hippo-killing lions of Selinda as well as the occasional leopard, and good sightings of wild dog and cheetah. Over 300 bird species can be found in the area.
Daily activities at Selinda Camp revolve around morning, afternoon and night game drives with experienced, professional guides in custom-built 4x4 Land Cruisers. Short walks from camp accompanied by a guide are encouraged.
CONSERVATION:
Selinda Camp's famous co-owners Dereck & Beverly Joubert are award winning filmmakers for National Geographic for over 25 years. The Joubert's mission in life is conservation and they have spent much of their time filming in and around the Selinda Spillway. Some of their award-winning films include 'Ultimate Enemies', 'Relentless Enemies' and 'Eye of the Leopard' - all filmed on the Selinda Reserve.