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LINYANTI
RESERVE, BOTSWANA
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds & wildlife
habitats of the African safari region
of Linyanti swamps in Botswana.
The extensive safari area in the north-east of Botswana, can be divided into three distinct regions. We suggest you also read the descriptions of the other areas to get a complete overview. These regions are:
The Chobe River in the north that forms Botswana’s border with Namibia, part of which lies within Chobe National Park; the Savuti Channel and Marsh in the interior of Chobe National Park; and the Linyanti River and Linyanti Reserve along the western boundary of Chobe National Park. There is also a migratory route between Chobe National Park and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park.
These areas are known for having the greatest concentration of elephants on earth.
It is estimated that there are between 45,000 and 90,000 elephants here!
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To request a private safari tour of Linyanti in Botswana, click here >>> |
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The
Linyanti River (which
is later named the Chobe River), forms a natural
border between Namibia and Botswana. The river's
course is smooth and gentle until it hits a volcanic
fault line which causes a dramatic 90-degree change
of course from south-east to north-east. Inside
the right-angle corner created at this juncture,
a swamp has formed (on the Namibian side), similar
in appearance to the Okavango Delta, with papyrus
lined waterways leading to towering riverine forests
of giant ebony and marula trees.
On
the southern banks of the Linyanti River (in
Botswana), is the private Linyanti Wildlife
Reserve. Here the marsh subsides into lagoons
and steadily flowing rivers with riverine forests
of jackalberry and sausage trees leading to
open grasslands, and dry inland wooded areas.
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| ANIMALS
& BIRDS
The Linyanti Reserve is
highly populated with animals particularly in
the dry winter months when elephants concentrate
in enormous numbers at the rivers and waterholes.
Thousands of zebra spend the winter in the Linyanti
before heading south to the Savuti in November
in expectation of summer rains and good grazing.
The particularly beautiful sable and roan antelopes
are found here and red lechwe and the aquatic
sitatunga antelope inhabit the wetlands.
The
main predators are lion, leopard, cheetah, wild
dog and hyena. A smaller carnivore and efficient
predator sometimes seen, is the serval. This feline
catches rodents and birds by silently pouncing
on them and has a creditable 50% success rate.
Bat-eared foxes are the cutest of the small carnivores
and prey on insects, scorpions, mice and small
birds.
Birdlife
is abundant here and particularly vocal with a
magnificent dawn chorus. Daytime noises include
incessantly grunting hippos and trumpeting elephants,
while the night brings roaring lions and laughing
hyenas.
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| SEASONS
Rainy
season: Rain falls during the warm months of November
to March creating high temperatures and humidity.
Mosquitoes breed well in these conditions.
Dry
season: May to October is dry and as the months
progress and surface water becomes scarce, animals
congregate in huge numbers along the river. Game
is at its most dense and easily visible. October
is the hottest month.
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| LINYANTI
SPECIALITIES
· The Narina Trogon (bird)
is a rarity
· Amazing dawn choruses
· Aquatic sitatunga antelopes
have specially adapted hooves for marshlands and
can submerge if frightened
· Magnificent-horned sable
antelope
· Elephants and zebras
in vast numbers
· Bat-eared foxes
· Wild dogs on the move
· Luxury in the bush at
one of the top class camps and lodges in the Linyanti
FACTS
Linyanti
Wildlife Reserve covers and area of 275 000 acres
(111 288 hectares)
It is a private reserve so night drives and off
road driving is offered
This is a malarial area
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Follow
the links below to Botswana's premier wildlife regions and
game reserves
PRIVATE SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE CHOBE REGION |
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