KINGS POOL CAMP
Linyanti, Botswana

Introduction

Kings Pool Camp is located in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, bordering on the western boundary of Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana. The reserve consists of 125,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness. Most of the area is characterised by open grassland, riverine forest, mixed terminalia woodland and the dry Savuti Channel. The camp overlooks the Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River to the north.

Camp Description

Accommodation is in ten tented rooms with well~appointed, private bathrooms. Each room is built on a raised deck with wonderful views onto the Kings Pool Lagoon and its wildlife. The tents have been designed to ensure that each guest is totally comfortable and private, while at the same time offering all the atmosphere of a tented camp in Africa. Each bathroom is tiled and has a shower, toilet and hand basin. There are outside showers, too. The main lounge, pub and dining room are under thatch and there is an open air "Kgotla" for dining under the stars. There is a swimming pool as well as a hide on the periphery of the camp where guests can watch game safely during the midday "siesta" hours.

Game Viewing

The area is most noted for its very large Elephant populations, which can reach enormous densities in the winter months. Impala, Lechwe, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, Sitatunga, Sable, Roan, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Bushbuck and the smaller antelope are all found here. The major predators, such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Hyena, are resident and regularly sighted. The reed and papyrus swamps are ideal for numerous and diverse species of birds, ranging from the Fish Eagle to waterfowl, cranes, storks, plovers and herons. One of the camp's highlights are the wildlife sounds: very few camps in Africa are noisier! The pre~dawn chorus of bird song starts off the morning. Hippos grunt and snort all day, Baboons bark and screech, Elephants wander through camp and trumpet, and Lions often roar around the camp at night!

The private reserve borders on Chobe National Park, but the activities here are not limited to the rules and regulations of Chobe. We can therefore offer game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, night drives and walks. In addition, the lodge has a double-decker boat which cruises the Linyanti River, offering wonderful opportunities to view game and birds from the water when water levels allow. There are also a number of great hides in the area where guests can view wildlife peacefully.

Conservation

The Linyanti Reserve is a multi-purpose reserve where photographic safaris are conducted and where hunting is technically allowed. We have decided not to hunt anywhere in this area and as a result forfeit well over US$300,000 in revenue per annum. We wish to ensure that animals can breed up to their maximum numbers and live lives that are not negatively impacted by ourselves.

Location

o North Botswana
o Situated between Okavango & Chobe - within private Linyanti Concession
o Borders Chobe National Park to the east
o Overlooking Linyanti River and Kings Pool lagoon

Accomodation

Number of tents:
10 tents in total consisting of:
9 ¾ twin bedded tents
1 kingsize-bedded honeymoon tented suite under thatch
1 twin guide room en-suite approximately 100m from guests tents
This camp can accommodate 20 guests and tour leader
Tent details:
o Luxury tented rooms with thatched roof bathrooms
o Views from tents of lagoon year round
o Double doors on tents front and back
o Fans in all guest tents
o Brick and thatch bathroom tiled walls and floor
o Rooms built on raised teak deck
o Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room
o Outdoor shower

Game Drives:

Laundry policy

Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.

Extras payment

Curios and or imported drinks will be billed to the guest and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard. If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

Flying times

to/from Maun 45 minutes
to/from Kasane 45 minutes
Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes but allow additional time for customs and immigration

Air strip details

King's Pool airstrip located 5 minutes' drive from camp, also services Linyanti Tented Camp
Licensed for aircraft up to 5700kg MAUW (maximum all up weight)
55 minutes from DumaTau.
Air strip co-ordinates: S18.26.52, E023.41.28

Electricity

o Camp has a 220v generator. Electricity is run in the kitchen and main areas when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off (for peace in camp).
o 220v battery power (charged by the generator) is used for lighting and fans in each guest tent 24hrs a day. Hairdryers etc cannot work here.
o Video battery can be charged by the generator when guests on game drives. Hence bring spare battery and charging unit.
o Solar heated water for showers etc.

Guest Comments

We have ended our 94-day around the world trip. The entire trip was fantastic in every way. Africa was special. Our southern African experience has changed me forever. I remain enchanted by the whole experience. Most of all, the people of Wilderness Safaris were wonderful, personable and professional at the same time. Each person was skilled in their specialty, from greeter to camp staff to tracker. Without exception, they did their best to take care of us. It is impossible to fake the personal relationship that we felt. These people did their best to show their country at its best. It was not lost on us. We are now bitten by the Africa bug, and must return. Botswana was my favorite. I loved the people, all of them. The Wilderness Safari folks were exceptional as always. Our Kings Pool ranger and tracker (Brooks and Captain) will be dear to me forever. They went out of their way to share everything they knew with us. I learned about animals and the land, but I also developed some insight in the pride that Botswana people have for their country. Virtually all of our game drives were rewarding and some were truly exciting. I have examples of my definition of exciting. On one occasion, we surprised a male lion. He stared directly at me, 10 to 12 paces away when the guide turns off the ignition. (I later learned this was to avoid the perception that we were prey.). The rangers and trackers are superb, they clearly understand animal behavior through observation - their habits, their body language, etc. but they are also knowledgeable of scientific facts that characterize an animal. Each ranger was careful to never promise what we might see, they emphasized that we would have to be lucky. It became obvious that luck had a lot to do with the ranger/tracker's skill and experience. Our luck was exceptional! As you may recall, we used our 50th wedding anniversary as the excuse to make this trip. Well, now we shall have to work on our 51st and Africa again. Thanks for everything.
A & R USA

Kings Pool is a delightful lodge with incredible animal life, a fantastic location and wonderful staff. I would highly recommend it. Thanks.
R.C., NJ, USA

Eric, our guide was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and personable. He is a natural, gifted instructor - the more questions we asked, the more detailed and sophisticated his responses became.
M.E., Colorado, USA

Very enjoyable stay, friendly, helpful - the best part was staying on the river and watching the Hippo and Elephant.
D.R., USA

Management is very switched on, very efficient and always trying to provide variety - surprise picnics, staff dancing etc., probably one of the best seen in 3 years on visits.
P.H. and S.H., U.K.

We enjoyed relaxing, seeing all the animals including Leopard, Aardvark and Pangolin, the lodge is really special and the staff is excellent.
A.R., USA

Loved the total production - Setting, Amenities, Food and Drink, staff and activities.
G.S.and C.S., Australia

Many thanks you are all so caring and thoughtful and interesting, a very hands on team.
D.K. and K.K., South Africa

All the staff were so friendly and efficient, which made our second visit to Kings Pool an experience we will never forget. Kings Pool is a very special place. We enjoyed the vast array of animals that we saw. The Wild Dog experience was a highlight as was our return to our tent, delayed somewhat by a large hippo.
R.H. and T.H. Hurstville, Australia.

Thank you very much for all the arrangements on our trip. Everything went like clock work and our experience was fantastic. This was the best trip we ever had. Fell in love with Africa, with the people and with their demeanor. Derek and Gordon were great and very informative. It is wonderful to deal with people that enjoy their job. Our guides were excellent, very knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. We saw just about everything that we wanted to see and then some. Please be advised that we stand ready to be in your reference list and won't hesitate to recommend your company, you and the services that you provide. Once again thank you very much.
C.V. and R. V., USA

I feel that this is what the "African Experience" is all about. Great area, good people who seem to care.
D.E.N., USA

How we will miss those nights with the hippos and baboons, just been able to relax on the deck and listen to the African sounds.
J.R., USA

Great variety of activities - drives, boats and walks. Terrific mix of game to be seen - we really hadn't seen so many hippos before.
J.I., USA

Enjoying the landscape with elephants and hippos from the deck. Should be renamed "Hippos Pool" Great area, very recommendable?
L.L., UK

We loved being in Africa! A true Garden of Eden.
J.D. and D.D., Great Falls USA

It has been a memorable experience- watching hippo from the deck, gin and tonic at sunset.
J.P., Australia

An incredible well managed facility, which allowed for a lot of exciting game viewing as well as some much needed relaxation. Bravo to everyone at Kings Pool.
L.W. and D.L., USA

The picnic in Livingstone hide was an unforgettable surprise.
J.R. and M.L., USA

Loved the hippos chomping by tents.
L.M.A., USA

Very well run camp - enjoyed everything about it. Thanks for making our first trip to Africa memorable.
P.E., Atlanta USA

All the guides were very good; they brought me closer to the real Africa.
S.C. and R.C., UK

We loved the encounter with the elephants and the other animals, and we felt so secure at all times.
A.M., Atlanta USA

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