The wild child of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, the Savuti region has earned its reputation as a safari destination par excellence. It’s here that wildlife film-makers have recorded the vicious rivalry between lions and hyenas, the drama of Savuti’s little-known zebra migration and the re-emergence of the Savuti Channel, an ephemeral waterway that now rings with the snorts of hippos.
Sometimes spelled Savute, this remote region is usually accessed by air and in combination with the Okavango Delta and Chobe River. An area of open grassland and scattered trees, Savuti complements the wetlands and rivers of other safari destinations in Botswana and a wide diversity of wildlife is assured.
Top of the list are Savuti’s predators: lion prides here are large and powerful, taking down hippo and young elephants on occasion. Leopards and cheetahs are regularly seen as are Africa wild dogs, especially during summer when impala herds give birth and migrating zebra arrive. Savuti is also famous for giant bull elephants, often seen in front of your suite if your accommodation looks over the channel. The bird watching is excellent, particularly in summer, and there are enigmatic cave paintings to see as well as opportunities for fantastic landscape photography.
A Savuti safari is easy to experience. There are lodges in the area, some right on the channel and near the Savuti Marsh; others are set further away but always close to water. Several Savuti lodges are exceptionally luxurious and ideal for romantic travel but there are affordable camps and family-oriented ones too. Mobile safari operators usually include Savuti on their Botswana itinerary – it’s simply too good to leave out. You’ll enjoy first-out and last-in game drives plus exclusive campsites and a deluxe under-canvas experience.
Talk to Safari Online about a Savuti Botswana safari – we have several itineraries that include Savuti or we can tailor-make a safari for you.
Savuti’s wild reputation carries over into its climate too. Subject to the same conditions as the rest of Botswana (a cool to hot and dry winter and a warm wet summer), Savuti gets a little hotter, colder and drier than the rest of the Chobe National Park.
The most comfortable time for a Savuti safari is considered to be during the May to October dry season. Temperatures are at their lowest (with the mercury just above freezing on a mid-winter early morning) and there is virtually no rain. Daytime temperatures are a pleasant 25°C to 29°C (77°F – 84°F) Note that it is very hot and dry in September and October as the rains build but the game viewing around water is exceptional.
The summer rains transform Savuti into a green wonderland. Temperatures drop a little thanks to cloud cover and the new lush greenery, and with hundreds of impalas giving birth as migrating zebra move in, Savuti becomes a predator paradise. You may get a rain shower or two but early summer (late November to early January) is one of the best times to go to Savuti.
There are only a handful of Savuti lodges, scattered discreetly throughout the area. Most are small and intimate camps – ideal for honeymoons and romantic travel – while others offer a more rustic, under-canvas experience. Several are extremely luxurious.
Location is important: some Savuti lodges lie on the now-flowing Savuti Channel, attracting wildlife throughout the day and especially in the dry season. Some Savuti lodges are set near the fabled Savuti Marsh; others lie some distance away. All lodges specialise in morning and afternoon game drives with expert guides. There are also rock paintings to see as well as chances to enjoy amazing bird watching.
Browse our recommended Savuti lodges below or simply contact us for advice on the most suitable accommodation for your needs and budget.
Luxurious lodge nestled on the banks of the Savute Channel, and featuring twelve thatched chalets. The lodge's main areas include a shaded viewing deck, al fresco dining area, and a swimming pool with loungers—ideal for observing wildlife, including resident elephants, as they frequent the channel to drink and bathe.
Nestled along the enigmatic Savute Channel, this eco-conscious lodge offers 12 spacious tented suites elevated on wooden platforms, each featuring private decks with sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. Guests can observe wildlife from a dedicated viewing hide overlooking a bustling waterhole frequented by elephants, hyenas, and leopards.
Savute Under Canvas is a mobile camp carefully positioned close to this channel which feeds into the Savute Marsh, home to exceptional numbers of elephant-hunting lion. Each of the five canvas tents boasts a comfortable double or twin bed, as well as an ensuite bathroom, separate flush WC and an outdoor bucket shower.
A Savuti safari takes you into the wild heart of Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Savuti’s reputation has been built on heavyweight game viewing – elephants, buffalo and predators – and the recent resurgence of the Savuti Channel ensures year-round water and high densities of wildlife, especially in the dry winter months. Summer brings epic bird watching and a zebra migration.
A Savuti safari is usually part of a larger Botswana itinerary, either as an overland tour or fly-in itinerary. There’s a good range of accommodation, often set on the Savuti Channel itself, and the focus is on morning and afternoon game drives. By combining Savuti with destinations like the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and the Chobe River you’ll be assured of an amazing diversity of wildlife.
Browse our recommended tours, each including a Savuti safari. We have featured tours that include Victoria Falls as well, ensuring a grand finale to your experience.
Our team of destination experts will design a holiday to meet your budget and interests. Let’s start planning your tailor-made African safari today!
A remote setting within the Chobe National Park means Savuti is generally a fly-in destination unless you are on an overland tour but a Savuti safari is usually part of a bigger itinerary featuring Botswana’s other top wildlife destinations such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe River and the Kalahari. Most Botswana safaris take in a couple of days at Victoria Falls too, giving the itinerary a suitably dramatic finale.
