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Selinda Adventure Trail

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Canoeing and walking
- Mobile fly camping
- Superb wildlife
- Off the beaten track

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Overview

The Selinda Adventure Trail leads travellers along a meandering course into the beautiful and remote woodlands of the vast Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana. There is superb wildlife to be seen in and around these secluded waterways, from hippos and spectacular birdlife to antelope, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs and plentiful herds of elephant and buffalo. Each trail lasts five days, with four nights spent fly-camping along the Selinda Spillway at no pre-arranged site. The trail begins at the Selinda airstrip where guests are transferred by helicopter to the starting point of their journey, a short 20-minute flight away.

Variations in water availability mean that two distinct adventures are offered; either a mixed canoeing and walking experience, or a walking-only experience for times when water levels limit or prevent canoeing. Given the level of activity and distances involved, the trail is available to anyone aged 14 or over, with children and young people necessarily remaining under the constant supervision of parents in this truly wild location. Groups of two to eight guests can participate at any one time and trips take place in either late May or late September each year.

The canoes are fitted with cushioned seats and back rests. Every passenger receives a life jacket and has a small amount of storage space for personal items such as binoculars and sun cream and the safari team and guests carry all of the overnight equipment. On arrival at the camp site selected for the night, the safari team sets up canvas dome tents complete with comfortable bedroll mattresses, linen, pillows and towels. Communal bathroom facilities are set up with a bucket shower enclosure and short drop ‘bush toilet’. Facilities are inevitably rustic but comfortable.

The Selinda Adventure trail combines physical activity with ultimate relaxation, offering a truly wild safari experience for those with a pioneering spirit. Experienced, professional guides share their in-depth knowledge of this fascinating location and guests are well looked after. Whilst visitors must come prepared to accept the consequences of unpredictable water levels, nothing can detract from this amazing adventure experience which is nothing short of breath-taking and not to be missed.

Suggested Itineraries for Selinda Adventure Trail

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 545 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • It really was absolutely amazing. Faisal was wonderful (our driver for the majority of the trip) – such a lovely person and made everything feel so easy and relaxed. The whole experience was incredibly well put together and completely seamless from start to finish. The Sahara Desert was definitely the highlight for me – truly unforgettable – but honestly every part of the trip was special.

    MissingMandy S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 05 May 2026

  • I just wanted to say thank you so much for organising such an amazing holiday.
    We absolutely loved it, even though Jessica was ready to give up walking for good ????
    Our guide, Mustafa, was great. Really helpful, friendly and informative.
    We loved all the accommodation, and especially the first night and the Riad.
    All of the staff at every location were so friendly and helpful.
    Thanks again for organising such a great trip.

    MissingRebecca H reviewing Marrakech & Mountains Family Holiday on 09 April 2026

  • Nicola and I had a brilliant time - the weather made it pretty
    challenging at times, but Mustafa and Mohammed looked after us
    superbly. We loved the variety of scenery and places - as you mention,
    the only downside is the rubbish in the villages, such a shame. The
    meals that Mohammed drummed up on the hillside tracks were amazing - I
    am glad we knew that our mule would eat the leftovers because there was
    no way we could finish them! The standard of the breakfasts were far in
    excess of the bread and jam you mentioned, even in the basic gite which
    was freezing - we were warm once in bed, but the temperature in the
    living room was a bit depressing after a very windy descent, sitting
    wrapped in coats, hats and blankets while we waited for our dinner! The
    sleeping bags provided were excellent and we were toasty with our fleece
    liners and an extra blanket. We were very grateful that Mustafa's boss
    upgraded us to the eco lodge the next night (don't know whether this was
    because of the gale force winds on our descent the day before...) - it
    was lovely.

    We were incredibly lucky with precipitation - although we were walking
    in a few inches of snow on day one and it absolutely poured that night,
    we experienced no rain during the day until we were lining up for our
    farewell photo at our pickup point, when the heavens opened!

    Due to the weather, I think I'd describe the terrain slightly
    differently - a few good paths, but often we were on very stony ground,
    slippery wet mud (oh, that clay does stick to one's boots!), slidy thin
    gravel or else just making our way down a hill after rain had washed the
    original route away. Occasionally we walked short distances on roads,
    which Mustafa was apologetic about, but it was hardly the M6! We took
    our time and never felt unsafe, but people with dodgy knees or hips
    might need to be careful. Mustafa looked after us very carefully in the
    high wind gusts (as a sailor, I reckon at least Force 9 - over 50 mph on
    a bare hillside), promising Nicola that he wouldn't let her mother blow
    away!

    Although we needed to be back in Marrakech on the fourth night, I think
    if I were going again, I would prefer to trek for four days and spend 3
    in Marrakech, which I found a bit overwhelming, but this is just
    personal taste!

    Our room in Daar Housnia was lovely, and we appreciated the heating -
    the rest of the building is definitely built for summer! There seemed
    to be some confusion over our arrival - the manager said we had
    originally been booked into the downstairs suite with double bed and
    bath in the middle of the room, but that he thought it was more suitable
    "for two ladies, not a couple" to upgrade us to exactly the room you had
    shown us photos of! The breakfasts were delicious. The wifi was fine
    for Nicola's meetings.

    MissingMonica S reviewing Morocco Trek & Marrakech Holiday on 16 February 2026

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