Located in northern Botswana, in Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, on the banks of the Linyanti, and one of Wilderness Safari’s flagship lodges, Kings Pool is a premier luxury lodge.
Overview
Renovated in June 2019, set overlooking a slow-moving bend of the river, Kings Pool is built mainly of wood and thatch, and consists of a main lodge and eight thatch and canvas rooms. The lodge includes a lounge, dining room, library, bar, extensive decking, pool, fire pit and shop. Characterised by wide open spaces, wooden floors and clusters of comfortable mixed seating, the emphasis here is on a relaxed, welcoming, high-end feel.
Food & service
The food at Kings Pools Camp – buffet or a la carte – is excellent, and feedback is full of praise for a service that is both laid back and on the ball: experienced, knowledgeable and super-efficient, it is exceptionally good.
Rooms
Raised on wooden platforms, and protected by thatched roofs, the safari sleeping rooms are huge. Each includes a 4 poster twin or double bed, sala, lounge area, plenty of storage space, room to change in and a separate bathroom. The style is suitably restrained, and locally made artefacts are well chosen. The bathroom – twin sink, flush loo, inside/outside showers – is big, tiled and beautifully fitted.
Activities
Activities include wildlife drives, guided walks, bush picnics and sundowners. Kings Pool Camp also offers a Linyanti helicopter experience and a colonial-style journey on the Queen Silvia barge. Both the Kwando and the Linyanti Rivers are permanent water sources which act as a magnet for the wildlife during the drier periods, and the concentration of wildlife between June and October is exceptional. It is much less easy to find between December and March. The area is often combined with camps in the Delta in order to offer as wide a range of activities, environments and wildlife.
Impact
Conservation
Appreciating that perhaps Botswana’s greatest conservation challenge is working with its large elephant population, Wilderness have promoted and assisted with the funding of two MSc studies specially focused on researching this issue.
The camp is 100% solar powered, with wastewater treated to ensure its safe passing back to the surrounding environment.
Community
King Pool is a Long Run Alliance member, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable tourism, conservation and community development.