Droombos Estate
Just minutes from Windhoek and yet worlds away from its pace, Droombos Estate has become synonymous with refined hospitality and
New Nkasa Linyanti Camp
New Nkasa Linyanti Camp
Opening May 2026
In a remote wetland wilderness in Namibia’s Zambezi Region, framed by the waters of the Linyanti and Kwando rivers, a new chapter in sustainable safari travel is unfolding. Natural Selection, known for its purposedriven portfolio of safari camps across southern Africa, has unveiled Nkasa Linyanti: a brand-new sixsuite under-canvas camp in Nkasa Rupara National Park, a sanctuary for endangered species and a crucial breeding ground for regional wildlife populations.
Set to open in May 2026, Nkasa Linyanti will be the only permanent camp on Nkasa Island, occupying a private concession within the park. Surrounded by reed-fringed channels and the sweeping grasslands of the greater Linyanti ecosystem, the camp offers front-row access to a landscape reminiscent of the Okavango Delta, yet with a fraction of the visitors.
“For decades I’ve gazed longingly across the Linyanti River from Botswana, eyes fixed on Nkasa Rupara National Park,” says Dave van Smeerdijk, co-founder of Natural Selection. “It’s a place that feels like Namibia’s answer to the Okavango Delta, equally wild and utterly captivating.”
WILD LUXURY ON A PRIVATE ISLAND
Nkasa Linyanti will take full advantage of that wild setting, with a camp of just six under-canvas suites ‒ including two family tents ‒ set beneath the boughs of mature leadwood and sausage trees. Indoors, organic textures and a palette of natural tones convey the camp’s sense of understated charm and wilderness immersion: billowing mosquito nets, handwoven baskets, canvas armchairs, al fresco showers and canvas walls that open wide to invite the outside in.
It’s a place that feels like Namibia’s answer to the Okavango Delta, equally wild and utterly captivating.
A CAMP ROOTED IN CONSERVATION
Every stay at Nkasa Linyanti supports the work of Nkasa Rupara National Park, a 70,000-acre conservation hotspot that is a keystone for the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KZTCA). Entirely unfenced, the park provides a crucial corridor for regional elephant migration, supports breeding herds of buffalo and other endangered species, and protects key wetland habitats essential for cross-border biodiversity and regional conservation efforts.
IMMERSIVE SAFARI EXPERIENCES
Guests at Nkasa Linyanti can look forward to a rich diversity of wildlife encounters. The park is home to Namibia’s largest concentration of buffalo, significant elephant herds, and healthy populations of lion and leopard. Hippos and red lechwe thrive in the waterways, while sightings of sitatunga and reedbuck will be a highlight of the daily game drives and bush walks.
Activities are tailored to the rhythm of the seasons. In the dry months (April to October), the floodwaters arrive, perfect for mokoro safaris and boat excursions on the Linyanti River. The arrival of the rains in the green season (November to March) transforms the landscape into a tapestry of lush grasslands that are a magnet for migratory birds. Over 430 bird species have been recorded in the park, making it Namibia’s most productive birding destination.
Day and night game drives, walking safaris, and boating excursions offer guests at Nkasa Linyanti a full spectrum of immersive experiences.
“Nkasa Rupara is one of southern Africa’s best-kept secrets: wild, pristine, and utterly magical,” adds van Smeerdijk. TN
Why visiting Namibia’s Linyanti Wetlands & Nkasa Linyanti Camp should be on your 2026 travel plans
Okavango Delta Feel Without the Crowds
In Namibia’s remote Zambezi Region, this untamed wilderness offers the atmosphere of the Okavango Delta ‒ but without the crowds or the cost.
Intact Wetland Ecosystem
Fed by the Linyanti and Kwando rivers, a network of floodplains, lagoons, and reedbeds sustains rich birdlife and abundant wildlife, especially in the dry season when water is scarce elsewhere.
Rich and Diverse Game Viewing
The blend of wetland and savannah habitats supports remarkable biodiversity, serving as both a refuge for endangered species and a vital breeding ground for wildlife.
Water and Land-Based Safaris
Explore by game drive, night drive, guided walk, mokoro, or boat cruise ‒ the variety of experiences is as diverse as the landscape.
Exceptional Dry-Season Concentration of Wildlife
Vast herds of elephant and buffalo gather here during the dry months, followed closely by lion, leopard, and hyena.
Birding Paradise
With over 430 recorded species, this is Namibia’s premier year-round birding destination.
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From the Summer 2025/26 issue
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