Linyanti
Duma Tau Camp
Duma Tau (meaning “roar of the lion”) is a tented camp located in the private 125,000 hectare Linyanti Wildlife Reserve which borders the western boundary of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. Duma Tau is built on raised boardwalks under a shady grove of mangosteen trees, overlooking a large hippo-filled lagoon on the Linyanti waterways.
The ten luxury tented rooms at the camp are spacious, raised off the ground and under thatch with canvas walls, allowing guests to enjoy the night sounds of Africa from the comfort of their rooms. Each tented room has a private en-suite bathroom and outside shower. The main lodge houses a dining room, pub, lounge, plunge pool and a special guest toilet with a fantastic view.
The region has the exceptional habitat diversity to make it a haven for a variety of wildlife, and is well known for its elephant concentrations as they congregate along the waterways and lagoons during the dry winter months. Day and night game viewing is conducted in open 4×4 vehicles along the Savuti Channels and the banks of the Linyanti River. It is also possible to enjoy guided walks along the river (on request).
There are many hides in the area where guests can enjoy wildlife viewing close up and away from a vehicle. One of the best hides is right at the source of the Savuti and many species of game and birdlife can usually be seen. Water activities can be an option when the Linyanti River is in full flood.
Facilities
Luxury tented rooms, outside shower, dining room, pub, lounge and plunge pool.
Local Wildlife
Large herds of elephants, swimming elephants, good chances of predators including wild dog, lion and leopard. Nearby is a carmine bee-eater colony - they are usually here in the summer months (October to March) but nest on ground from October to December.
Optional Activities
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, boat safaris and fishing (catch and release) included on a shared basis.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
The sunset cruises here are wonderful and you can occasionally see elephants swimming across the lagoon at that particular time of day.
If you have any questions regarding our Botswana tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
On behalf of my wife and myself, I would like to thank all at Reef and Rainforest for arranging so superbly yet another exceptional wildlife experience. As you are aware our ‘expeditions’ tend to be species led and this year’s brief was to observe and photograph the ‘Three Big Cats of Africa’ in a truly wild setting (i.e. no fences). Your recommended destination, Botswana, did not let us down, in fact the whole trip proved an outstanding success in all aspects.
We stayed in three camps (three nights in each) across the Okavango Delta and surrounding area, each provided a different environment which ensured our aims were met. Each camp was run to a very high standard, was extremely comfortable and provided excellent meals. The quality of guiding and tracking in all our camps was of the highest standard. As Botswana manages its natural resources so well all the camps were small (no more than 18 guests) ensuring a very intimate safari experience in pristine wild African habitat.
I am delighted to report our big cat objectives were realised. All observations were lengthy and offered excellent photographic opportunities. However, unexpectedly, the highlight of our spectacular trip turned out to be sightings of two separate packs of African Painted Dogs. We visited two dens, the first had a very healthy number of adult dogs, approximately fifteen and eighteen pups. The second had seven adult dogs and sixteen pups. At Lebala we had the privilege of spending a prolonged period of time following the pack of dogs as they hunted, an experience we will never forget.
When one also considers the significant mammal and bird species we observed, Botswana is truly a must visit destination for the wildlife enthusiast. Incidentally we also observed three serval and two African wild cats. We also thoroughly enjoyed our few days at Victoria Falls, possibly the most spectacular waterfall in the world, the hotel in Zimbabwe was excellent. Viewing the falls from the Zambian side and also the helicopter flight are both well worth doing.
This was our third consecutive trip with Reef and Rainforest, and I would be very surprised if there is not a fourth being planned very soon. Thank you all once again.