Overview–botswana

Selinda Concession

The Selinda Concession, also known as the Selinda Game Reserve, is a private wildlife reserve located in northern Botswana. It spans approximately 1,350 square kilometers and is situated between the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti River. This area is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, which include floodplains, palm islands, and seasonal wetlands. The Selinda Spillway runs through the heart of the reserve, creating a unique habitat that supports a wide variety of wildlife.

Wildlife Viewing

The Selinda Concession offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. It is home to four of the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo), with rhinos being notably absent from the reserve. The area is particularly famous for its resident pride of lions and packs of wild dogs, making it one of Botswana’s premier locations for observing these species. Other notable wildlife include large herds of elephants that migrate into the area during the dry season (April to October), as well as various antelope species such as roan, sable, giraffe, reedbuck, and red lechwe.

Birdwatching enthusiasts will also find plenty to admire in Selinda. The region boasts over 300 bird species including carmine bee-eaters and various raptors like martial eagles and bateleurs.

Activities Available

Visitors to Selinda can engage in a variety of activities designed to enhance their safari experience. These include:

Game Drives: Both day and night drives are available to explore different parts of the reserve.
Walking Safaris: Guided walking safaris allow guests to experience the bush up close while learning about flora and fauna.
Boat Safaris: These provide a unique perspective on wildlife along waterways.
Canoeing Trips: Scheduled weekly canoeing trips offer an adventurous way to explore the spillway.
Horseback Riding: Available at specific camps like Motswiri Camp (though it has been closed since December 2019).

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Selinda Concession for wildlife viewing is from July to October when animal concentrations are at their peak due to migration patterns. During this period, visitors can expect milder weather conditions compared to the hotter months preceding it.

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Rates

From: $264 to $663 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: July to October (Best wildlife viewing)

High Season

From: July to October (Higher rates apply but not busy)

Size

From: 1,350km²/521mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Wildlife viewing in Selinda Concession is superb. Aside from rhinos, all of the Big Five can be encountered. The area is renowned for big herds of elephants that gather around waterways in the dry winter months. Zebra and wildebeest are common too. Several prides of lion are resident, and this is one of the best places to see wild dogs in action.

Wildlife Highlights

Several unusual antelope species can be spotted throughout the year. These include eland, sable, and the rare roan antelope. Aside from the big cats, smaller predators that might be encountered are side-striped jackals, bat-eared foxes, and colonies of dwarf mongoose. This is a good place for night drives as well. Species occasionally spotted after dark include civet, bush baby, genet and sometimes honey badger, porcupine, and aardvark.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Selinda has seasonal wildlife viewing. Big herds of elephants, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest arrive at the permanent water sources when it gets really dry in June, and they usually stay until December.

General Wheather

Selinda Concession has a warm to hot climate, and there is a distinct Dry and Wet season. The Dry season is cooler with almost no rainfall, while the Wet season is represented by heat and storms.

Dry Season –April to October

The last rain falls in April. Temperatures are coolest during June and July but start to rise in August and peak in October. Early mornings in June, July, and August can be very cold, so remember to bring warm clothing.

April & May – There is plenty of sunshine around and not much rain at the beginning of the Dry season. The bush is green and thick. It is very warm in the middle of the afternoon, with temperatures up around 29°C/84°F.
June, July & August – Rainfall is virtually nonexistent. This is the most pleasant time of year during the day, with temperatures reaching up to 26°C/79°F on average. Early mornings are very chilly though at about 7°C/45°F.
September & October – The Dry season is coming to a close. The temperature is rising before the rains arrive. October is very hot with afternoon temperatures averaging about 35°C/95°F. Nights and mornings are better for being outside.

Wet Season –November to March

It cools down as soon as the first rains arrive, bringing relief as the dust settles. Afternoon thunderstorms and short showers are the pattern. It remains hot all season with daytime temperatures hovering around 32°C/90°F. Mornings are cooler.

November & December – It is hot and mostly sunny. It rains intermittently, but it comes as a relief as temperatures usually build up beforehand and cool off afterward. Early mornings are lovely, with average temperatures of about 19°C/66°F.
January & February – These are the wettest months. The afternoons are distinguished by strong storms bringing plenty of rain, but they are usually over in a few hours.
March – It still rains every couple of days, although overall rainfall diminishes in March. When it does rain, a thunderstorm is common. Mornings are getting slightly cooler at 18°C/64°F.