The place
Our flight to Linyanti Ebony gives us a real sense of the beauty of the greater Okavango area. We soar over flooded plains and the Linyanti River as it twists through a largely flat landscape along the border with Namibia. The large herd of elephant we spot as we come in to land must love living here.
A short drive brings us to Linyanti Ebony, and after the thrill of the flight it’s immensely calming to step on the deck and gaze out over the Linyanti marsh. The manager points out a black crake, a small bird foraging at the base of the reeds. Rather like us, it seems slightly dwarfed by its surroundings. I feel reassured by this, however, and as I gaze up at the interlaced branches of the giant African ebony trees high above my head, my partner’s fingers intertwine with mine: a family holiday with plenty of romantic moments is my idea of heaven.
The rooms
I’m relieved to see that our family tent is at one end of the camp – I’d hate to have to ask the kids to curb their enthusiasm on a trip like this. They’re already running ahead of us, small safari boots clattering happily on the raised wooden walkway. The cleverly-designed layout of Linyanti Ebony means that the family tent becomes in effect our own lodge within a lodge.
Inside, the design of the tent is just perfect – two adjoining bedrooms, ours with a double bed, and then a large single bed for each child, all with mosquito nets. The only ‘bugging’ I expect we’ll have is by the kids themselves, should they hear anything go bump in the night.
The decor, all dark wood and old trunks, adds to the sense that this is an exploration. Although we’ve been on safari before, we’re in slightly uncharted territory as it’s our kids’ very first trip to Africa.
The Chobe Enclave is a true land of giants, with large herds of elephant and soaring trees. It’s beneath a stand of the latter that you’ll find the family tent at Linyanti Ebony, a luxury Botswana safari lodge that juxtaposes intimacy with the immense landscapes, megafauna and endless skies of northern Botswana.
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by Nick Galpine
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