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Selinda Canoe Trail

The Selinda Spillway in northern Botswana is an ancient channel that connects the northern part of the Okavango Delta with the Linyanti Swamps. This channel winds through thousands of hectares of prime African wilderness. What makes it fascinating is that for over 30 years the Selinda Spillway has been bone dry! The exceptional rains and floods of 2009 caused the channel to flow once again, changing the dynamics of game movement and viewing in the area. Since 2009 the continued high floods of 2010 and 2011 have ensured that this river is becoming somewhat of a ‘permanent’ feature to the wilds of northern Botswana.

The Selinda Canoe Trail was thus born, and has proved in its short lifetime to be a wilderness safari experience, extraordinaire! The canoe trail covers about 45 kilometers over 4 days & 3 nights. The trail can accommodate a maximum of 8 guests that makes the trail small and intimate. The boats themselves are very stable Canadian canoes, accommodating two paddlers in molded seats that are fixed to the canoe. The channel winds its way through vast tracts of bush home too many species of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, lion, roan antelope, wild dog, hippo, giraffe and much more. Birding is of course phenomenal, and since the channel is essentially a ‘new river’ the game and birdlife of the area are still getting used to the idea of there being such an abundance of crystal clear water in a formally dry area!

Paddling the Selinda Spillway
Guests are required to fly into Selinda Airstrip by 12h00 on the day of departure (or before if they want to spend time at Selinda Camp or Zarafa Camp).

Here they are met by the guide and enjoy a 3 hour game drive that penetrates deeper into the wilderness to the start of the canoe trail. Guests are introduced to his/her canoe in which will be your bed roll and whatever small bag you wish to keep with you whilst you paddle. After a safety briefing the canoe trail begins with a tranquil drift-paddle down to the first campsite. The canoe trail is staffed by a professional guide (armed with a rifle) who paddles with the group, and then a four member support team (each in their own canoes) who paddle ahead and set up camp, at a site they think is suitable-the beauty of this canoe trail is that there are no set campsites, which makes the experience extra special. The support team take care of every detail and guests are not expected to do any ‘camp chores’ whatsoever - the focus is on absorbing the amazing wilderness around you!

The support team set up the 2m x 2m dome tents and place the comfy bedrolls when you arrive. A temporary long drop toilet is part of each campsite, as well as a bucket shower strung up on a convenient tree, which is filled with hot water for guests to use when required.

Day two, day three and the morning of day four are spent paddling down the Selinda Spillway at a very leisurely and non-strenuous pace (no previous paddling experience is required). Breakfast is had at camp in the early morning, and a snack pack is provided to each guests to take with on the canoe. Occasional stops on the river bank are made for lunch and a siesta, and game walks into the surrounding bush are also taken if the interest or need arises. As you paddle down the river the guide will stop and point out birds, mammals and trees or any other features of interest, making the whole experience informative, relaxing and rejuvenating! The evenings are spent around the camp fire, serenaded by the sound of the bush that could include lions roaring, owls calling, hippo grunting or a peaceful silence that in itself nourishes the soul!

Since you need to carry on your canoe your own luggage & bedroll, it is highly recommended that you keep you baggage weight to less than 20 kg per person packed into a soft bag, the lighter your luggage the easier it is to paddle! Excess luggage that you may happen to have with you is easily stored at Selinda Camp on your arrival for the trail. Dress code for this safari is very casual. Neutral coloured and comfortable clothing (browns, khaki etc..) should be taken.

What to Bring & Remember

• A good flashlight (torch) and spare batteries is a must since we camp in the wilderness and there if of course no lighting other than the campfire and the stars! In fact a headlamp is an extremely useful torch to use around camp and in your tent at night.
• Spare Camera batteries - given the nature of this wilderness canoe trail there are no battery charging facilities
• Dietary requirements need to be stipulated at the time of making your reservations as the support crew need to be able to plan well in advance of a trail departing
• Walking shoes and a comfortable pare of sandals that you can wear on the boat, that you don’t mind getting wet.
• A complete suggested packing list is provided upon booking
• Families with children between the ages 8 - 12 yrs can be accommodated on a private basis. Children 12 yrs and older can join the canoe safari as adults.

Cost of the Canoe Trail

18 May - 09 Oct 2012
U$ 1700 per person sharing - for the 3 night trail
U$ 385 single room supplement - for the 3 night trail if required

Cost Includes
Accommodation in 2m x 2m dome tents equipped with a comfortable bedroll
All meals
All canoeing equipment
Concession fees
All guided activities (canoeing & game walks)
Local beverages (soft & alcoholic, but excludes premium brands)
Return airstrip transfers

Cost Excludes
Light aircraft transfers to and from Selinda Airstrip
Pre & Post canoe trail accommodation at Selinda Camp or Zarafa Camp (if required)
Gratuities

2011 season        2012 season
12-15 May           18 - 21 May
16-19 May           23 - 26 May
23-26 May           28 - 31 May
28-31 May           02 - 05 Jun
02-05 Jun           07 - 10 Jun
07-10 Jun           12 - 15 Jun
12-15 Jun           17 - 20 Jun
17-20 Jun           22 - 25 Jun
22-25 Jun           27 - 30 Jun
27-30 Jun           02 - 05 Jul
02-05 Jul           07 - 10 Jul
07-10 Jul           12 - 15 Jul
12-15 Jul           17 - 20 Jul
17-20 Jul           22 - 25 Jul
22-25 Jul           27 - 30 Jul
27-30 Jul           01 - 04 Aug
01-04 Aug         06 - 09 Aug
06-09 Aug         11 - 14 Aug
11-14 Aug         16 - 19 Aug
16-19 Aug         21 - 24 Aug
21-24 Aug         26 - 29 Aug
26-29 Aug         01 - 04 Sep
01-04 Sep         06 - 09 Sep
06-09 Sep         11 - 14 Sep
11-14 Sep         16 - 19 Sep
16-19 Sep         21 - 24 Sep
21-24 Sep         26 - 29 Sep
26-29 Sep         01 - 04 Oct
01-04 Oct         06 - 09 Oct
06-09 Oct