Linyanti Savuti Camp

a very elegant and reliable little camp

Linyanti Savuti Camp is set in an interesting riverside position in the heart of the Linyanti East Concession in northern Botswana.

The main building here is a relatively small structure, open-sided under thatch, containing cosy dining and lounge areas, with steps down and out onto decks above the river, with a nice campfire area and a small swimming pool. There is also an outside dining ‘boma’ tucked in behind.

One aspect we always appreciate is the amount of wildlife that can come into camp. Here the main event is viewing animals from the verandahs, including hippos, elephants and a plethora of birds. Along the board-walks it is not uncommon to spot kudus and bushbucks.

The reason that the camps in this area were raised up on decks was because back in 2004 a lovely waiter called Otie was killed by lions here whilst setting out the lanterns one evening. One of our team was in camp that day and we always like to retain a mention of the event in tribute to both Otie himself, as well as Benson and the rest of the team who endured this difficult time. Whilst incidents of this nature remain extremely rare, it is always worth reminding ourselves that they can and do happen.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Linyanti Savuti Camp is in seven guest chalets, accessed by a network of elevated board-walks. These rooms are essentially also open-sided structures under thatch, but wrapped around with canvas and insect screen walls, to provide a cosy but open feel. The beds are draped by large walk-in mosquito nets, with a ceiling fan inside. The indoor bathroom behind is equipped with conventionally plumbed basins, shower and toilet. Out front each room has a lovely private verandah over the river. One of the rooms is a family suite with two interconnected rooms, each with a private bathroom.

Activities

Linyanti Savuti Camp provides the following guided activities …

• Vehicle safari
• Walking safari
• Hides
• Bush meals
• Motorboat safari
• Canoe safari
• Night vehicle safari
• Sleep-out hide

When it comes to trip durations in Botswana, most visitors combine 2, 3 or 4 lodges by light aircraft over 6-12 nights, one of which will usually be here in Linyanti Waterfront, often in combination with further nights at the Victoria Falls and/or down in the Cape.

East Linyanti is one of four private concessions that make up the Linyanti Waterfront, a fabulous safari area that combines naturally with the nearby Okavango Delta.

Most guests choose to stay at one lodge in Linyanti, usually for 3-4 nights.

Seasonality

During the May-Oct dry season the wildlife density along the waterfront can be astounding, especially the large herds of elephants, which decimate the stands of hardwood trees at the back of the beach.

During May-Jun there is a good chance of catching wild-dogs at den, which is usually the only time that they can be seen with any regularity.

Nov-May is the green season with verdant and beautiful landscapes, with plenty of baby animals and wildflowers.

The arrival of the rains around Nov-Dec and the subsequent filling of the seasonal waterholes sees a high proportion of the wildlife head south and east into the vast hinterlands in search of better grazing, particularly elephants, although there are still some around. Despite these effects, we have experienced some really excellent safari here during the Nov-Mar green season and there can be really substantial savings on lodge prices, so it really can be a smart time to travel.

Getting there

Linyanti Savuti Camp can only be accessed by light aircraft into the nearby East Linyanti Airstrip, which has daily flight connections with all other camps in Okavango, Linyanti, the main airport at Maun (for connections to Central Kalahari, Nxai, Makgadikgadi and Johannesburg) and north to Kasane (for connections to Livingstone and Victoria Falls).

From the airstrip it is a drive of around half an hour through some potentially dull dry mopane woodland to the Savuti Channel and the camp itself.

Pulling into the vehicle turnaround we are met by several members of staff, singing and dancing along to their traditional welcome song.

usually visited in combination with the Okavango Delta