Safari Magic at the Savute Safari Lodge - Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Flowing from the Linyanti River to the Savute Marsh, the Savute Channel has sustained the western reaches of Chobe National Park for generations. This enigmatic waterway, known for its unpredictable flooding and drying patterns, has long intrigued local communities, geologists, and researchers alike.

The Unexplained

When David Livingstone first visited the area in 1851, the Savute Channel was flowing. Thirty years later it had dried, leaving the Savute Marsh parched for almost 80 years. The channel flowed again from the late 1950s to the early 1980s before receding once more. In 2009, after another extended hiatus, the channel began flowing again, spilling into the Savute Marsh by January 2010 for the first time in three decades. Its future course remains uncertain, adding to its mystique.

The Accommodation

Savute Safari Lodge is based in the Savute region and provides an exclusive, private experience with only 11 chalets and a maximum occupancy of 24 guests. Each en suite chalet offers private decks, lounges facing the landscape, and thoughtfully designed interiors reflecting the surrounding environment. One family chalet features two interleading en suite rooms, each with private decks and seating areas.

The main areas are designed for comfort and connection to the natural surroundings, with multiple indoor and outdoor lounges and multi-level decks offering exceptional wildlife viewing. Elephants, big cats, buffalo, and numerous bird species are frequently seen around the property. A high-level deck includes a telescope for stargazing and wildlife observation, while a photographic hide provides close encounters with the vibrant life around the waterhole.

The property also features a bar and a swimming pool overlooking the waterhole, creating an inviting setting to relax while enjoying the ever-changing scenery of the Savute region.

Activities

Activities are centered on the surrounding landscape and wildlife. Game drives in open 4x4 vehicles explore the Savute area, often including visits to the Savute Marsh to witness the historic presence of the Savute Channel. Guests can also explore the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, a small hilly landmark in the otherwise flat landscape.

The Savute region hosts the second-largest summer zebra migration in Africa, typically occurring between November and December and again between February and April. Zebras move from northern rivers in search of rain-fed grasslands and full waterholes in the southwest of the park, attracting large numbers of predators. This migration, along with the region’s intense predator encounters, makes Savute one of Botswana’s most sought-after wildlife destinations.

Savute Safari Lodge and the surrounding region provide a unique combination of wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, and cultural experiences, making it a destination for unforgettable African adventures.

Other Experiences in Botswana

Visitors to the region can also explore other remarkable sites and experiences:

Xugana Island – Permanent water in the Okavango Delta offering motorboat safaris, mokoro excursions, walking safaris, fishing, birding, and scenic helicopter flights.

Sediba Sa Rona – Located in the Khwai Concession, offering guided safaris and exceptional wildlife viewing in iconic ecosystems.

Nxamaseri Island – Exclusive island experience in the Okavango Delta with delta-focused safaris and cultural visits to the Tsodilo Hills.