Welcome to the Selinda Reserve - an enormous 300,000 acre private wildlife reserve located in the remotest reaches of northern Botswana - selinda, selinda reserve, okavango delta, safari, botswana, walking safari, zarafa camp, national geographic, exclusive game reserve, luxury, pristine wildlife, elephants, lions, the big 5, motswiri, Zibadianja, camp, game drives, linyanti, chobe, private, walking trails, wild dog, spillway, savute, dereck and beverly joubert, colin bell

The Selinda Canoe Trail is an adventure along the Selinda Spillway - the waterway linking Botswana's Okavango Delta and its Linyanti and Kwando systems. The high rains of the 2009 wet season resulted in epic floodwaters by May 2009. For the first time in nearly three decades the Selinda Spillway flowed in full, connecting these two ancient waterways. The good rains during the early half of 2010 ensured that the Selinda Spillway continued to flow with the headwaters meeting again in early May 2010 - three months earlier than in 2009!

The Selinda Spillway is an ideal setting for Botswana's leading canoeing and walking safari. The Selinda Canoe Trail hearkens back to the spirit of safaris of old, when days were spent on impromptu exploration and each night was spent camping along the banks of a river. Today, this experience can still be had on the Selinda Canoe Trail.

The Trail begins slightly downstream from Selinda Camp, northeast of the Okavango Delta. We explore the Selinda Spillway eastward following this meandering route through the 300,000 acre Selinda Reserve. We complete the 45 kilometer journey close the convergence of the Linyanti and Kwando waterways.

The 4-day/3-night safari consists of a combined three full days of paddling and three nights in impromptu fly camps along the way. Our stops are not pre-arranged. We begin each day as the peace of dawn is breaking. After an early coffee and light breakfast, we begin the day's adventure. Upon paddling, we may encounter wildlife activity along the spillway's banks, which warrant investigation. We disembark our canoes and begin walking, looking for tracks and signs. Enjoy brunch and a bit of a siesta at mid-day before continuing onward in the afternoon before arriving at our camp site in the late afternoon. Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the day for sustenance.

The area is well known for elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, wild dog and it is possible to encounter cheetah, lion, leopard and a variety of other species. The Spillway is also a birding paradise. Along the route it is likely to see considerable wildlife with little disturbance from too many hippos or crocodiles.

At the end of the Selinda Canoe Trail, guests are transferred to Selinda Reserve airstrip by mid-day and depart by charter aircraft. Ideally, guests may extend their Selinda Reserve experience at either our Selinda or Zarafa Camps.

THE TEAM AND THE TRAVELER
One Canoe. Two Paddles. Two Travellers. One Wilderness.

Our stable, wide bottom Canadian canoes provide the ideal transport for this adventure. Each canoe accommodates two travellers, who are responsible for their own paddling. The majority of the paddle is with a gentle current, but the experience does require reasonable fitness. Our guide will navigate the waters, and provide assistance throughout.

Four team members, consisting of a cook, two camp hands and a guide, will host each Selinda Canoe Trail departure. The team will accompany the Trail in their own canoes, and carry the majority of the gear. The day's snacks, drinks and personal gear will be distributed amongst the travellers' canoes. The team has been carefully selected to give travellers an even more memorable experience.

Note: Should a traveller be concerned about fitness, there is the possibility of three travellers in one canoe. Please let us know in advance if this is required.

"We just want you to know how much we appreciated the most wonderful trip that you put together for all of us. So many outstanding memories, sights and sounds. I can't think of only one highlight there were so many. We all agreed that the peace and tranquillity of paddling that channel (especially when it was completely calm) was so uplifting and therapeutic. The staff on the canoe trip were all great and Cliffy was exceptionally knowledgeable and a good companion. We couldn't believe how comfortable our beds were and having a hot water bottle was heavenly. Dollar was a star, producing the most amazing meals and everything was always so attractively laid out. Then the Selinda Camp experience at the end and their warm hospitality just blew us away. David and Alice are a very special couple, we really enjoyed their company. Then when we thought things couldn't get any better, having just seen 2 honey badgers fight off the wild dogs, we had brunch on the pont. Once again the staff were so gracious and gave us a wonderful spread. Many, many thanks for making it all possible, a dream come true."

"This was a fantastic trip and a great African adventure. The food was excellent, tour guide very knowledgeable and experienced. Your staff very friendly and supporting and great wildlife encounters. There is no room for improvement - everything was five star treatment. This canoe trail can be highly recommended.
Thanks for your assistance.
Regards,
Roland - May 2010"

Photographic Credits: Dana Allen, Dook, Colin Bell, Beverly Joubert