gallery of 10 photos

Linyanti Wetlands, Botswana

Kings Pool Camp

Kings Pool is luxurious and lovely. The giant guest rooms complete with private plunge pools on each deck makes this a favorite for honeymooners or second honeymoons.

The game viewing is excellent much of the year. The camp setting overlooking the lagoon is stunning. You can dip in your pool with the hippos just beyond you dipping themselves in the river.

 — Mango's view

Kings Pool Camp is located in The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, a private reserve in the Linyanti/Savuti Channel area in the northern part of Botswana, on the western boundary of Chobe National Park. The source of the Savuti Channel is within this private reserve. The camp overlooks the oxbow-shaped Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River to the north.

There are good populations of impala, lechwe, kudu, zebra, giraffe, sable, waterbuck, buffalo and the smaller plains antelope. The major predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena are regularly sighted. The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for numerous and diverse species of birds and are a magnet for game in the dry winter months.

The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve offers one of Africa's most exhilarating wildlife experiences. The area covers 125,000 hectares (about 275,000 acres) of prime wildlife country situated between the Okavango and Chobe regions. Yet, there are only 26 rooms in 3 small camps that are allowed to access the game drive areas of this reserve.

Accommodation is probably the most luxurious in all of Botswana. There are 9 luxurious twin-bedded tented rooms under cool thatch, overlooking the hippo filled lagoon in front of the camp. Each of the new suites has its own large bedroom area, lounge, private plunge pool and a sala. Each en-suite bathroom has two showers, two hand basins and a separate flush toilet. There is an outdoor shower for those who prefer to shower under the stars. The main lounge, pub and dining room are under thatch, and there is a swimming pool built into the deck. The main area is linked to the bedrooms by a raised walkway to allow animals to wander freely around the camp.

Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives, and occasionally guided walks when the camp manager feels that it is safe to conduct walking safaris. One of the highlights of Kings Pool is its two hides. At the western end of the camp is a thatched hide overlooking the Kings Pool Lagoon. Guests can enjoy productive siesta hours watching the animals coming down to drink at the lagoon in front of camp.

The real highlight, though, is the underground hide located a kilometer or two inland from the camp. When guests sit in the hide, their eye-level reaches just above water level. It's not unusual to have elephant's feet and trunks almost within touching distance, while guests are safely inside the hide.

Includes: All meals, drinks, laundry & safari activities