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Meet Brian, one of our travel experts for Botswana.
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Brian has always nurtured his passion for travel in his spare time. He's traveled the world, visiting over 40 countries.
Over time, this passion grew to the point where he began to search for opportunities to work in the travel industry. He's been an African Specialist at Mango Safaris since early 2006.
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Aerial View of the Camp
Selinda Camp rests on the banks of the eastern Selinda Spillway in the 320,00-acre Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana.
Photo copyright Wilderness Safaris.
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Overview
The shaded camp affords extraordinary views over the Selinda Reserve's prolific floodplains and savannas. Dotting the landscape is commanding borassus palms, where nesting birds roost and baboon spy. The extensive raised decks, surrounding both the main lounge and guest tents, allow guests to enjoy a meal or a relaxing afternoon while still enjoying wildlife viewing. There is a hardly a moment in camp where there isn't an animal in sight.
There are few places in northern Botswana as dynamic as the Selinda Reserve, which is centered on the famous Selinda Spillway, which weaves its way east, linking the far reaches of the Okavango Delta in the south with the Linyanti water systems in the east.
The Selinda Reserve is west (upstream) from Savute Channel and Chobe, so it has all the advantages of both of those famous areas but with the tremendous advantage of exclusivity. It is a truly spectacular and unique landscape.
On safari it is possible to see a tremendous diversity of species, from resident prides of lion to huge herds of elephant and packs of wild dog. It is also home to the ungulates, from the rare roan to the ubiquitous zebra. Nocturnal wildlife is prolific as well, and there are frequent sightings of aardwolf and civet. Exploration of this vast area defies imagination... by foot, 4x4 open game drive vehicle, boat or simply sitting quietly in a hide.
Selinda Reserve is famous for elephant and lion, wild dog and hippo, buffalo and giraffe. Some days we will spend hours with a single herd of elephants; other days we may track cheetah, or wait in a hide for Slaty egrets to arrive and fish. Wattled cranes, a highly coveted sighting, are often spotted here.
Made famous in Dereck and Beverly Joubert's National Geographic films (Ultimate Enemies, Hunting with the Moon, The African Diaries), the Selinda Reserve is home to the hippo-killing lions. The hunting of large prey by lions is legendary, and a highlight, but random of course. It's never guaranteed, but always a possibility. This is wild Africa, unpredictable and magical, where each day is different, thank goodness.
The open plains are an ideal habitat for cheetah and the thicker woodlands are refuge for leopard.
One of Africa's most endangered predators, the African wild dog, is usually resident and the Selinda pack frequently dens in close proximity to the camp. Other common species include: large herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, hyena, waterbuck, kudu, steenbuck, lechwe, and impala. Nocturnal species include civet, serval, wildcat, honey badger, springhares, aardvark and aardwolf.
On arriving at Selinda Camp, one is struck by the grand architecture of the main area. The high-beamed ceilings and traditional thatch roof coupled with the raised wooden foundation keep the area cool in the African sun.
The main lounge has been designed around the four basic elements of nature: water, air, earth and fire. Each element is also complemented by local art.
Upon entering the open-air thatched main area, bright touches of blue evoke the imagery of water. Large sculpted mekoros (dugout canoes), painted by world-renowned artist Keith Joubert are the focal points. Perched off the main lounge, is a quaint tea verandah. Here, billowing soft fabrics in light colors provide shade and ambiance in the spirit of air. And the journey continues to the element of earth, manifested in the dining spaces - either under thatch or under the stars - where naturally wholesome food and African wines served table d'hôte providing sustenance.
Selinda Camp is full of character. It is often referred to as a 'home away from home' for its peaceful energy and sincerity. It is a combination of elements that make it possible - the people, the atmosphere, the wildlife and care in every decision that handcrafts this special place into its own type of contemporary authenticity. Selinda Camp is designed around the concept of camaraderie coupled with exceptional wildlife viewing and the freedom to explore. It's relatively small size; prime location and amenities make it a notable value in the safari circuit.
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