A vast and picturesque wildlife sanctuary between the Okavango and Linyanti river water systems.

The Selinda reserve lies between the Okavango and Linyanti water systems, and it protects the Selinda Spillway which runs through the heart of this vast reserve – 130 000 hectares (1 350 square kilometres) of pristine wilderness. It is a beautiful environment – tall palm trees look onto open grasslands and riverine forest. In the dry season the game viewing is fantastic.

The reserve’s camps are situated in the east of the concession where game viewing is aided by the large expanses of open ground dotted with tree islands.  The west of the reserve is dense leadwood and mopane forest.  Here was located Motswiri Camp; a riding safari outfit run by Ride and Walk Botswana but closed on 31 December 2019.  In 2022 the new Pangolin Photo Camp, run by Pangolin Photo Safaris will open. This is a semi- mobile camp, moving between 7 sites in the western Selinda Reserve.

The Selinda Spillway (or Magwegquana) is a fascinating fossil channel which routes water between the Linyanti Swamps and the Okavango Delta.  Often dry, it connected the two waterlands again in 2009 after heavy floods.  You can even take a four night trip canoeing down the Spillway June to October with Selinda Adventure Trail.

Animals –In common with the Linyanti and Kwando areas, the game is increased in the second half of the year by migrations moving from the drier areas, although impala, kudu, tsessbe, warthog, reedbuck and giraffe are seen all year round.  There are always good sightings of lion.  Selinda is particularly notable for sightings of its resident pack of wild dog; they love the open grasslands.

Birds –Birdlife includes carmine bee-eaters which have learned to follow game drive vehicles to feed on the insects that fly up to avoid the wheels; a wonderful, colourful spectacle for the passengers.  Raptors in the area are martial and fish eagles and bateleurs.  Black and slaty egrets, wattled crane and African skimmers are found here.

Plantlife –When the water returns, the smaller trees and wild sage bushes that have colonised the spillway during dry times are killed off. The islands of the open floodplains are formed in a slow, fascinating process that takes decades.  The islands begin with termite mounds which are high enough to stay above water in times of flooding.  Eventually trees grow on these higher areas.  Trees draw in water but do not take up the salts in the water.  The salts crystallise and eventually raise the level of the islands.  Ultimately the trees die off, unable to cope with the high salt content of their islands.

Best Months- As for much of the area, concentrations of game are best in the winter months.  In the rainy summer months game can disperse into the mopane forests of the concession’s western expanse.

Access  – Approximately one hour flight from Maun or Kasane to the airstrip between Zarafa and Selinda.

Camps: Selinda, Selinda Suite, Zarafa, Zarafa Dhow Suite, Selinda Explorers, Selinda Pioneers Camp.