First stop: Linyanti Bush Camp
Our first Botswana African safari was truly a lifelong dream come true. Having worked extensively with African wildlife, experiencing authentic Africa was at the top of our bucket list. It was important to us to prioritize lodges that support sustainable practices, as our biggest life passion is the conservation of wildlife and wild places. We also wanted to support local people and communities.
We worked with a travel agent from Go2Africa to help us find and book the lodges, as well as the connecting flights between the camps. Check out their website here:
After discussing a variety of itineraries, we settled on two camps in Botswana and two camps in Zimbabwe. This provided us with a wide variety of habitats and exposure to a broad diversity of species.
Today we’ll delve into the life changing experiences we had at the first stop on our Botswana African safari. Look for our posts on Zimbabwe, coming soon.
We began our adventure by flying into Johannesburg and then connecting on to Maun, Botswana. After exiting customs in Maun, we were greeted by a representative from Go2Africa who guided us to the regional flights. There we boarded a Cessna 208 Caravan, a 14-seater prop engine plane, for a 45-minute flight to our first destination, Linyanti. After 41 hours of travel (!) since leaving home, we touched down on our remote dirt air strip where we were met by our guide, Chief. He greeted us with a huge smile and a sack lunch. The drive through the bush to our camp took about 2 hours, on bumpy sandy roads, where we stopped to see our very first wild elephants, as tears ran down my face. We even spotted a pair of honey badgers at dusk.
Our first stay was at Linyanti Bush Camp for three nights, part of the African Bush Camps group. Linyanti Bush Camp offers an intimate experience, with only six luxury tents in a remote corner of the renowned Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, adjacent to Chobe National Park, along the northern border of Botswana. The Chobe enclave teems with wildlife and is best known for its large herds of elephants and buffalo.
We were welcomed to Linyanti Bush Camp by the entire staff, some of the most warm and friendly people we’ve ever encountered. Our canvas tent was adjacent to the main lodge and had an ensuite bathroom with hot water, a small desk and couch, cozy bed with mosquito netting, and a patio with views of the river. Wildlife surrounded us, with chirping birds, scurrying baboons, and elephants strolling through camp each day. This camp is truly remote, perfect for unwinding and reconnecting with nature.
Each day would start with Chief waking us up and delivering fresh juice and coffee to our tent. We would then eat a breakfast buffet by campfire at sunrise, getting out on safari as early as possible, as the animals are waking up. We’d stop mid-morning for more coffee, tea, or snacks before going on safari again.
We’d head back to camp for mid-day lunch, a siesta nap, or time to relax by the pool during the peak heat of the day, when animal are also hidden and resting. After high tea, we’d head back out until stopping for a sundowner beverage, one of our favorite parts of the day. Nothing quite matches a gin and tonic at sunset in the bush!
The evening would conclude after dark, as the private game concessions allow night game drives. We’d then have a delicious 3-course dinner, often personally presented by the chefs. We were never left hungry and sometimes it felt as though all we did was eat and drink amazing gourmet food!
As we visited during late May / early June, to see the most active wildlife as the Delta waters retreated, it was cold during our time in Botswana! We bundled up each morning in winter hats and jackets, covered up with blankets while in the open-air safari trucks, and then shed the layers as the sun warmed us up. At night back at our room, we’d take a hot shower before going to bed, where the staff had tucked warm water bottles into the covers.
While at Linyanti Bush Camp, we also took a helicopter ride over the savannah to see majestic elephants and hippos playing in the river and a vast view of the landscape we’d been exploring while on safari. We also explored a local marsh in a mokoro boat (canoe), led by an experienced guide, where we saw jacana birds walking across lily pads and waterbuck grazing along the shore.
But perhaps the most magical moments at Linyanti were connecting with the staff, learning about their local customs and hearing their individual stories. We were grateful to make these friends and share this intimate experience with them. The team was extraordinary, welcoming beyond words, and made our stay personal. On to the next stop in our Botswana African safari…
Also, check out our post on packing tips for an African safari!
And contact Go2Africa for your next safari adventure:
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