Linyanti Travel
Tips & Planning
Do all lodges offer both land and water activities?
Lodges along the Linyanti River and Savuti Channel offer both game drives and some form of river safari. Game viewing by boat is a seasonal activity, as it can only take place when water levels allow.
Most of these camps have small motorboats while others use a barge for slower-paced river cruising – often with a drink in hand. Either way this is a wonderfully relaxing activity and, while you won’t come across as many predators as you do on your game drives, you are certain to see an abundance of waterbirds along with the occasional pod of hippo or herd of elephant wading at the water’s edge.
If you stay further west in Linyanti’s Kwando concession you might not have the option of river safaris. Some of these camps focus purely on land-based activities with day drives and night drives in search of the region’s famous predators, as well as the option of walking safaris.
Linyanti or Savuti: Which should I choose?
Unlike Linyanti’s private concessions, the neighbouring Savuti Region forms part of Chobe National Park. This means that in Savuti your guide is not permitted to drive off-road, you cannot do activities such as night drives and walking safaris, and visitor numbers are generally higher. Which is not to say that you should skip the Savuti; far from it! This region has an excellent reputation for high-adrenaline game viewing and exceptional predator sightings.
Consider the weather
Linyanti’s winter season (May to August) is known for its sunny, warm days with temperatures averaging around 25 to 30˚C (77 to 86F). However, these numbers drop sharply when the sun goes down, especially in June and July when it frequently dips below freezing. If you are travelling at this time of year be sure to pack a jacket and warm hat for your early morning and evening game drives.
In the build up to the summer season (September to November) the heat and humidity increases. This is the hottest time of the year with temperatures frequently exceeding 40˚C (105F).
During the summer season (November to March) the temperatures remain high both day (around 38°C / 100F) and night (around 20°C / 68F). This is also when Linyanti gets its rain, usually in the form of cooling afternoon downpours or spectacular thundershowers.