The Camp

Location: Linyanti Reserve, Botswana
Number of Tents: 4

Located within the private 309,000-acre Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, which borders the western boundary of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, Little DumaTau is a haven with just four tented suites. The camp is just north of the original DumaTau set beneath a shady grove of mangosteen trees, overlooking one of the many lagoons the Linyanti swamp system, a magnet for wildlife. The source of the Savute Channel is close to the camp, and wildlife drives up the dry waterway are a highlight of the area. The elevated tents are open to private, broad wooden verandas for wildlife viewing directly from bed! Whitewashed wood floors, natural wood, leather and canvas furnishings and fine linens add luxurious touches, as do spacious en suite bathrooms, each with an additional outdoor shower. The dining room, lounge and swimming pool with shaded chairs all overlook the lagoon, offering views of resident wildlife right from the comfort of camp.

Back to top

Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom with indoor/outdoor showers
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion and insect repellent
• Room fan
• Tea/coffee in room
• 220v charging outlets in room
• Wi-Fi available
• In-room safe
• Private plunge pool
• Central swimming pool
• Sleep-out platform
• Spa (extra cost)
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
• No air conditioning, hair dryer, telephone or cellular coverage

Back to top

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

The diverse habitats in the region make it a haven for a multitude of wildlife. Activities are also diverse, allowing guests time on the water and on land, as well as on foot. Day and night wildlife drives are conducted in open 4x4 vehicles along the Savute Channel and the banks of Linyanti River. Guided walks are also possible, though subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide. There are many hides in the area where guests can enjoy wildlife viewing away from a vehicle. One of the best is right at the source of the Savute, where many species of wildlife and birdlife congregate. The area is famous for its elephant population—huge herds mass here during the dry months along the waterways and lagoons. During this season, sable and roan antelope traverse the flood plains, along with impala, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, lechwe, tsessebe and other plains wildlife.

The below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the Linyanti Reserve adjacent to the Chobe National Park. This area is well known for elephant herds, which are at their peak in the drier months of July to October, and it's a great location to track wild dogs and see lion. A variety of other mammals, birds and reptiles may be seen as well. Exact sightings will depend on weather trends and wildlife movements.

Climate

Conservation

Botswana has a well-developed network of protected areas, and these include concessions that allow hunting as well as photographic safaris. The operators of Little DumaTau have chosen not to hunt in the concessions in which the company operates, forfeiting approximately US $1.2 million per year in hunting quotas in preference for photographic safaris. Yet perhaps the most topical issue for Botswana at present is its very large elephant population and possible impacts on vegetation and other animal species. As a result, and in recognition of the fact that in the Selinda and Linyanti concessions, Little DumaTau’s operator is responsible for one of the two highest-density elephant concentrations in the country, the company has facilitated and partially funded two MSc studies examining vegetation impact and is currently hosting a PhD researcher examining additional elements of this puzzle.

Back to top