The enthralling Selinda Reserve is located
north of Botswana covering 320000 acres of pristine wilderness. The
reserve is centered on the Selinda Spillway, a primordial waterway that
was normally dry for many years.
It is only when there is an incomparably high level
of water in both the Linyanti and Kwando Rivers that the Okavango Delta
water systems, from the east and west, join to form the Selinda Spillway.
This is a rare occurrence which happened in 2009 and 2010. The merging of
the famous Okavango Delta and the Linyanti and Kwando channels restored
the Selinda Spillway giving life to the reserve.
The dynamic wildlife experiences within Selinda made
the reserve the choice for safaris in Africa. The 1350 km2 reserve is
regarded as one of the best expanse for predators in Botswana. The reserve
is partly owned by Dereck and Beverly Joubert - award winning filmmakers
and photographers at National Geographic who have done a lot of their
filming within the reserve.
Selinda Flora & Fauna Experiences
During Your Botswana Safari In Africa
Flora
Selinda floodplains and savannah is home to
a diverse flora. The spillway is dominated by wild sage, acacia combined
with a mass of trees that are formed like an islet. There are also fan
palms that vary in sizes.
The ecological make up of Selinda Reserve is similar
to that of Linyanti Reserve with its vast grassland and trees dotting the
area. Except that the floodplains of the Selinda Reserve are wider than
that of Linyanti Reserve. Unlike the Linyanti and Savuti marshes, the
flooding is a rarity in Selinda. This unique ecosystem has made Selinda
one of the best African safari lands.
Fauna
Selinda Reserve is famous for its wild dogs
called the Selinda pack that are residents in the reserve. Together with
impala, kudu, red lechwe, giraffe, tsessebe, reedbuck, monkeys, steenbok
and baboon, they form the general game attraction Selinda is also renowned
for. The jackal, fox, caracal, bushbabies, African wild cats, aardwolf,
genets, civets and serval are also permanent occupants of the reserve.
Elephants and buffalos are likewise dwellers of the reserve. The larger
numbers of these animals start to gather the reserve from June. They are
made part of the residents until December. There are also hyenas, leopards
and lions that lend more excitement to any visitor. Though there are
cheetah, aardvark, roan, and eland roaming the reserve, they are
infrequently seen.
The month of May brings zebras and wildebeests to
benefit from the immense water sources of the reserve. More animals
frequent the reserve at a later time. From June to October, the game rises
to a considerable number. This is attributed to the movement of the game
from other areas to the reserve due to its nearness to the Kwando and
Linyanti waterways.
The Selinda Reserve like the Kwando and Linyanti is
rich with diverse species of birds from Lilac-Breasted Rollers to Kori
Bustards. It also boasts of White-Backed Vulture, The Marabou Stork,
Secretary Bird, Grey Lourie, Yellow-Billed And Red-Billed Oxpecker, Fish
Eagle and many more. The diversity of wildlife in Selinda Reserve makes it
a favorite Botswana safari destination.
When To Visit Selinda Reserve For Your African
Safari In Botswana
The Selinda Reserve just like the Linyanti
and the other famous safari game reserves in Botswana offer an excellent
diversity and concentration of the game during the winter months. The dry
winter season, which is from June to the end of October showcases the most
concentration of the game in this particular region. This is the ideal
time to visit Selinda for an African safari when large numbers of game
congregate to its water sources.
The rains start in the middle of November through
May, greening the area and availability of water everywhere disperse game
to greater bounds making it sometimes more challenging to spot game in
huge numbers. Game driving is one of the best Botswana safari activity
that guests enjoy in Selinda in the summer.
The array of African safari expanses within Selinda
has ascertained to be the perfect game viewing venues with its wildlife
diversity and dynamic ecosystems within Botswana and Southern Africa.
Selinda Safari Activities During Your Africa Safari
In Botswana
The multifaceted Botswana safari activities
in Selinda Reserve include game drives, boating safari, walking safari,
the famed Selinda Canoeing and fishing. The assortment of these African
safari activities allows maximal wildlife and flora viewing opportunities.
The game drive is done in custom built 4x4 vehicles with removable canvas
roofs for the enthusiast photographers. You could do it at the break of
dawn, in the afternoon or in the evening.
Another Selinda safari activity is the boating
safari through the spillway between its beautiful channels and the
breathtaking Zibadianja Lagoon. Boating safari in Selinda offers greater
bounds of thrilling exploration and spectacular sightseeing. This virgin
portion of the Selinda spillway promises perfect viewing of birds too.
The alternative to the typical mokoro safaris, the
Selinda Canoe Safari adventures through the available 45 km Selinda
spillway. This area was fortuitously made into a complete spillway through
heavy rainfalls in the Angola region coupled with seismic activity. The
canoe safari runs this long stretch offering breathtaking views, educing
remoteness and isolation while drifting through this channel.
Walking is also an Africa safari activity in
Botswana that is enjoyed by visitors. This experience gives the nature
lovers the chance to have close encounters with the illustrious wildlife
and incredible wilderness of Botswana. The extraordinary African safaris
opportunities that are found in the Selinda Reserve are awaiting your
arrival.