Zambezi Region, Namibia

Nkasa Linyanti

Name: Nkasa Linyanti
Address: Zambezi Region

Safari camp in Namibia’s remote Linyanti River wetlands

Exterior view of a tented lodge with open walls and a few trees in the background, and people around a fenced firepit in the foreground.

A wetland camp overlooking the Linyanti River wildlife corridor

Nkasa Linyanti Camp sits within Nkasa Rupara National Park, a vast protected wetland in Namibia’s far northeastern Zambezi Region. It is the only Nkasa Island safari camp, and enjoys vast views across papyrus-fringed waterways frequented by elephants, buffalos and antelopes. The landscape is dominated by the Kwando-Linyanti river system and its network of meandering channels, reedbeds and islands, which change dramatically with the seasons as water rises across the floodplains.

Nkasa Linyanti Camp has just six tented suites, two of which are family tents, raised above the ground and connected by wooden walkways. Each has a traditional safari feeling, with canvas walls, timber decks and outdoor showers, and all of them overlook the wetlands. The main lodge includes an open-air dining area, lounge, swimming pool and firepit positioned to see elephants and buffalo crossing the waterways each day.

The park forms an important elephant migration corridor and supports large buffalo herds, along with red lechwe and sitatunga antelopes, and predators including lions, leopards and wild dogs. Look out for them and other species on day and night game drives, or from the comfort of the camp. Nkasa Linyanti Namibia is also particularly rewarding for bird enthusiasts, with species such as the Pel’s fishing owl, wattled crane and African skimmer regularly recorded in the surrounding wetlands.

A Nkasa Linyanti safari is, of course, based around the abundant water here, as much as the land. Guided safaris in traditional mokoro canoes put you right into the scenery, gliding through channels lined with reeds and water lilies. Excursions on larger boats offer access to areas of the park that are not accessible by vehicle, while walking safaris allow you to slowly immerse yourself in the extraordinary diversity of this ecosystem.

Highlights

Stay among the Linyanti wetlands in the heart of Nkasa Rupara National Park

Explore the waterways on a traditional mokoro canoe or boating safari

Track wildlife on game drives, night drives and guided walks in the bush

Look for red lechwes, sitatungas and large buffalo herds in the floodplains

Spot wetland birds including the Pel’s fishing owl and wattled crane

Aerial view of a vast green and brown plain of flooding and wetlands with sunset and clouds above.

Lounge chairs, dark wood coffee table and a large beige sofa inside a tented canvas lodge area with two lamps overhead and open windows looking across the bush.

A person seated in a canoe being rowed by a guide standing up with a stick, gliding through water and reeds with an orange sunset sky.

Interior of a safari tent bedroom with a bed on the right and gathered mosquito net and open windows looking into a deck with two chairs and the bush beyond.

View of the front of a canoe gliding through water and reeds, and ahead is another canoe with a guide standing and steering with a stick.

A table with a breakfast buffet of juices, cereals and foods inside a tented canvas lodge with open windows behind.

A safari guide stands next to a woman seated at a table in the bush in tall grass, with an open-sided safari vehicle in the background.

Outdoor shower with a reed fence and greenery just outside and a white towel hanging on a hook.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your trip, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Namibia example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

10 Day trip

A Complete Namibian Safari

The red dunes of the Namib Desert, vast Damaraland and wildlife of Etosha

From

$0 pp

10 Day trip

Luxury Namibia and Botswana Wilderness Safari

Explore Namibia's vast deserts and remote coasts before a Botswana safari

From

$0 pp

10 Day trip

A Signature Namibian Flying Safari

Fly to the farthest corners and coasts of Namibia in the highest comfort

From

$0 pp

Plan your trip to Namibia

Whatever you want from your adventure in Namibia, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Places to combine Nkasa Linyanti with

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Designed to capture the splendour and solitude of the desert, just ten stone and glass desert villas spread out along the curve of the escarpment allowing absolute privacy.

Each air-conditioned suite features a private veranda, split-level bedroom and living room with fireplace, en-suite glass-encased bathroom and outdoor shower. The villas are equipped with a stunning star-viewing skylight, discreet CD system, custom-stocked personal bar and compact spotting scope for magnificent star and game viewing. The guest area, where walls have become windows that fold away completely, boasts unimpeded desert vistas.

The split-level Lodge features a fire-lit bar, comfortable sitting room, swimming pool, wraparound verandas and a Safari Shop. A fine selection of wines from an impressive walk-in wine cellar complements delicious Pan African meals. Guests can escape the desert heat with a revitalizing midday dip in the pool fed by water from an underground spring. At sunset, animals are drawn to a nearby waterhole, enhancing desert sundowner drinks.

Positive Impact

Damaraland

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp

You’ll find Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp in a wide valley, nestled amid the undulating hills of the 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession. This tranquil area is recognised for its minimalist beauty and the large range of desert-adapted wildlife that call the area their home, most noticeably for its free-roaming black rhino population, the largest in Africa.

Etosha National Park

Encounter by Ongava

Encounter by Ongava is an intimate safari camp set within Ongava Game Reserve, on the southern edge of Etosha National Park. You’ll be surrounded by Mopane woodland and wildlife moving freely through the landscape.

There are eight spacious walk-in tents: seven standard tents and one paired tent that works well for families or small groups. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower and a private deck.

You can head out on game drives across the 30,000-hectare Ongava Game Reserve. The area is known for its rhino population, as well as lion, zebra and antelope, including the endemic black-faced impala. We especially recommend private guided nature walks, where you can slow down, appreciate the small details and explore with minimal impact. There may be the chance to approach white rhino on foot, as well as spend time bird watching.

For a wider safari experience, take a guided excursion into nearby Etosha National Park, Namibia’s prime savannah wilderness area. At the Ongava Visitor Centre, learn about the region’s geology, wildlife, plants and ecology.

Back at camp, slow down by the pool, settle into the library or gather at the bar as evening falls. The day softens into drinks, quiet conversation and the sounds of the reserve.

Positive Impact

Kunene River

Wilderness Serra Cafema

Wilderness Serra Cafema is located in the extreme north-west of Namibia on the banks of the Kunene River in the Hartmann Valley. Undoubtedly amongst the most remote camps in Southern Africa, Serra Cafema is only reachable by light aircraft which adds to the exclusivity of this beautiful property.