Overview of Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge

Set among towering acacia trees on the banks of the meandering, intermittent Savute Channel in the southern swath of world-renowned Chobe National Park in Botswana, Belmond Savute Elephant Camp is best known for fantastic year-round game viewing, large herds of elephant that roam the plains and unstinting luxury.

As a Belmond property, the Belmond Savute Elephant Camp has excellent facilities, including a dedicated observation deck overlooking a waterhole, an elevated swimming pool that has views of the riverbed and a private, registered airstrip. In addition to game drives in search of the Big 5, guests can enjoy lectures on the wilderness by the resident expert environmentalist. Birders could also be in for a treat: the annual migration of carmine bee-eaters passes over, with these colourful birds sometimes hitching a ride on the back of larger kori bustards.

The 12 tents at Belmond Savute Elephant Camp are shaded by traditional African thatch roofs and are serviced with both Wi-Fi and air conditioning, assuring that you remain both cool and connected. Ideal for honeymooners, first-timers or those who would like some pampering on their holiday, the camp is supremely comfortable, well located and the very essence of discreet service.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Observation deck overlooking waterhole
  • Excellent location on Savute Channel
  • Exhilarating game drives
  • Starlit dinners in a traditional boma
  • Luxury tents with spectacular views
  • Wi-Fi, air conditioning & satellite phones
  • Private in-tent dining
  • Dedicated airstrip
  • Belmond property
Bird watching

Bird watching

Bush dining

Bush dining

Game drives

Game drives

Specialist guides

Specialist guides

Star gazing

Star gazing

Rooms at Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
  • BelmondSavuteLodge-UpperLevelBedroom
  • BelmondSavuteLodge-UpperLevelBedroom-Afternoon

    Luxury Tent

    Raised on platforms to offer spectacular views, 12 twin-bed luxury tents with en suite bathrooms offer guests a comfortable oasis in the heart of the Savute Channel. Shaded by a traditional African thatch roof, each tent has a large private deck furnished with easy chairs and a hammock – ideal for game viewing or romantic dinners under the stars.

    Beautifully-appointed interiors are furnished with -poster beds draped in billowing mosquito nets, and the spacious bathrooms have double vanities and private outdoor showers. A fully stocked mini bar, air conditioning and overhead fans ensure absolute comfort.

    General Facilities

    Whether you prefer the exhilaration of early-morning game drives or simply relaxing on the viewing deck overlooking the teeming watering hole, Belmond Savute Elephant Camp is a haven of tranquillity in the midst of the wilderness.

    The 20m-long elevated swimming pool area overlooks a riverbed that attracts game to drink, while inside there is a thoughtfully-stocked reference library and plenty of comfortable sofas for lounging. High-powered telescopes are available for stargazing in the crisp evening air, while excursions to ancient Bushman rock paintings under the watch of towering baobabs can be arranged.

    Belmond Savute Elephant Camp also has Wi-Fi, a same-day laundry service, a private airstrip, satellite phones and a safari shop for both presents and unexpected needs.

    Laundry service

    Laundry service

    Library

    Library

    Swimming pool

    Swimming pool

    Wi-Fi available

    Wi-Fi available

    Dining

    Evening meals can be enjoyed communally in the traditional boma, with a menu that includes gourmet takes on African favourites like samp and beans, pumba stew, beef seswaa and bobotie – not to mention the classic Afrikaans sweets: milk tarts and koeksusters. Guests are also welcome to dine on their decks of their tents, if you prefer a more intimate affair.

    Lunch is served at the raised restaurant to make the most of the views, while breakfast is often taken alfresco in the bush.

    Expert Opinion

    We know because we go
    Anja Naude

    Anja Naude

    Africa Safari Expert

    Although very modern and artistic in a contemporary African style, the main dining area is comfortable and cosy and the view of the river is fantastic!

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    Traveller Reviews

    • HW

      The Botswana safari was undoubtedly the absolute highlight of the trip ! We flew on light planes between the camps and on one occasion I sat in the co-pilots seat which was good fun ! The camps were excellent – can’t rate them highly enough. The food and wine were very good, staff were friendly and efficient.The tents had everything that we would expect, plus a few extra’s.

      Heather Willis
    • DR

      Savute – great game viewing. Lovely camp, well run and again great staff. Food was great. They organised a lovely romantic dinner for us on our last night with candles all around on the ground and special wines – it was beautiful. The staff at all the camps sang for us and I would suggest that Orient Express get this on dvd or cd, as it was beautiful. We would have loved a copy of all of them.

      Debby Redman
    • JS

      Really lovely and we were so well looked after. The tents were ‘luxurious’ and the beds very comfortable. Our outdoor shower looked over the waterhole which was really magical. The lodge area and swimming pool were wonderful. The Food and drinks were fabulous – a great choice and loads of food. The inclusive wine list was very impressive.

      Jeff Stanford
    • LJ

      We had Savute Elephant Camp absolutely to ourselves for the first 24 hours (a big group had just left), and they gave us the finest “tent” they have – directly across from the waterhole. Elephants were there probably 20 hours a day, just outside our room. The staff treated us to a private dinner on our deck, and two private game drives since there were no other visitors. On the first of these drives, we saw a leopard, two mated pairs of lions (one pair actually in the act of mating as we watched), many other animals, and the incredible highlight of a hunting cheetah. We were with him for about an hour, and he actually walked right up to within 10 feet of our vehicle. It was nearing sunset, and the rosy gold light of the late day sun was gorgeous on his sleek form. I was moved almost to tears. There were no other people anywhere in sight – just the two of us, our guide and driver, and the cheetah. We eventually had to leave to return to the camp before dark, but stopped along the way to watch a lioness with her 4 playful cubs. What a day!!!

      Leann Johnk
    • JJ

      Having us start our trip at Savute was a great way for novices being introduced into a first experience into Africa. The lodge was fantastic, management were welcoming, the service and accommodations beyond our expectations, our guide Sello was an incredible guide who took great care of us and he set precedence for what we expected from a guide from there on. We saw incredible animals straight away (first 10 minutes into the first pm drive) and we were told that we were lucky. The food, service and the mood of the staff made our stay so enjoyable. We met very nice people there as well.

      Jeanne Joiner
    • JJ

      Having us start our trip at Savute was a great way for novices being introduced into a first experience into Africa. The lodge was fantastic, management were welcoming, the service and accommodations beyond our expectations, our guide Sello was an incredible guide who took great care of us and he set precedence for what we expected from a guide from there on. We saw incredible animals straight away (first 10 minutes into the first pm drive) and we were told that we were lucky. The food, service and the mood of the staff made our stay so enjoyable. We met very nice people there as well.

      Jeanne Joiner