Chobe Areas: Savuti

An utterly unique wildlife experience lies in the heart of the park. In stark contrast to the serene Chobe River is the Savuti, or Savute, region - raw and savage.

Named after the enigmatic Savuti Channel that once fed a great marsh, tectonic activity has marooned Savuti from permanent waterways and the marsh has evolved into open grassland, flanked by mopane and acacia woodland and studded with tangled granite hills.

We recommend:

Savute under Canvas - This intimate and environmentally sensitive tented bush camp offers you a genuine slice of wilderness. Prepare to be amazed.

Savute Elephant Camp - A seriously indulgent experience at the heart of the Savuti region, this lodge combines luxurious comfort with exciting activities.

Savute Safari Lodge - Its remote location doesn't mean that this lodge skimps on comfort; expect top accommodation, great food and excellent game viewing.

When to go:

The dry season - May to October - sees Savuti at its harshest: hot, arid and prone to fire. Artificial waterholes encourage many animals to remain in the area and they offer incredible game viewing as lions, elephant and hyenas jostle for position. Awaiting their turn are the other cats and antelope and hundreds of birds - the air is alive with queleas, sandgrouse and doves. It's a time of tension and survival as resources dwindle.

The rainy season - November to April - transforms Savuti into a verdant wildlife Eden - thousands of zebra arrive from northern Chobe, herds of wildebeest and buffalo dot the grasslands. Many species time the onset of the rains with giving birth and an abundance of young impala and zebra means a high concentration of predators: lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog and hyena are commonly sighted.

The rains also herald the arrival of migratory birds: storks, eagles, waders and wildfowl. Many birds are attracted to the termite swarms that are triggered by the rains, making Savuti one of Botswana's top birding areas.

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