Overview
Weaving through the landscape of Botswana’s northern sector is not only the famous Okavango River, but also an equally vital but lesser known lifeline, called the Selinda Spillway. Banished to obscurity by decades of dry, the Spillway came back to life during the high rains of 2009. Since then, its beauty has been renewed after three decades, enabling adventurers like those of us at Great Plains Conservation, the rare opportunity of canoeing its waters. Since 2009, the Selinda Canoe Trail has been the consummate favorite among those seeking a first in pristine wilderness.
The trail begins downstream from Selinda Camp, northeast of the Okavango Delta, in the 320,000-acre Selinda Reserve. We follow the Spillway east as it meanders through the Reserve, passing through riverine forests, floodplains and open savannah. We begin each day at the break of dawn in our 18-foot Canadian canoes. Whilst paddling, we encounter wildlife along the Spillway's banks, and disembark our canoes to enjoy walks, looking for tracks and signs. After brunch and a bit of a siesta at midday we continue onward through the afternoon and arrive at our campsite before dark. The Selinda Canoe Trail replicates the safari experiences of old as we navigate this rarely visited region, fly camping along the way. We complete the 45-kilometre journey close to the convergence of the Linyanti and Kwando waterways.
All equipment is carried by canoe, so the camp is rustic by nature. The 9ft x 9ft dome tents are furnished with comfortable bedrolls and quality linen and towels and accommodate two guests. For every two tents, there is a safari ‘bucket’ shower and ‘short drop’ loo. Our trail chef cooks tasty delicious meals over the fire. Guests gather around the fire, chairs for all, and watch the culinary magic with a cool drink to celebrate the day’s achievement.
The Selinda Canoe Trail’s season is during northern Botswana’s dry months when the game migrates to the Spillway. The area is well known for elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, and African wild dog but could very well come across cheetah, lion, leopard and variety of other species. Bear in mind that the mode of safari is by foot and canoe, so wildlife is mostly seen close to the shore of the Spillway or on walks nearby.
The guaranteed set departures are for a maximum of eight guests and operate from mid-April to early-October each year based on water levels.
At the end of the three-day canoe trail, guests are transferred to the Selinda airstrip at around midday for departure. Ideally guests may elect to stay on for an additional night at either Zarafa or Selinda Camps.
Brief Itinerary
Seasons
Day 1: Canoe Trail Begins
The trail begins at Selinda airfield in the mid-afternoon, with a transfer from the airstrip to the starting point of the actual canoe trail. Once the guide has briefed the group, the trail starts with a short late afternoon canoe experience before arriving at the evening's first camp.
As there is a minimal distance to be covered on the first day and also due to the fact that all the equipment is carried with the group, we paddle until we are ready to stop, just before sunset, at a suitable site on the banks of the Spillway.
Day 2: Full-day of paddling
After an early wake-up call, tea or coffee and light breakfast while the camp is being dismantled, we head out on the canoes for a full day of paddling, with lunch en route and the possibility of stretching our legs if we come across something worth investigating on foot. Tonight we camp in another suitable location as we gradually make our way down the Spillway.
Day 3: Full-day excursion
An early breakfast once again, as camp is taken down, before we continue along the water course by canoe for another full-day excursion and set up camp for the last night of this trail.
Day 4: Canoe Safari ends
We head out after breakfast, aiming to finish at around 10H00-10H30. At this point we are met by the vehicle and transferred by road to the Selinda airstrip, where we bid farewell to the safari.
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