Savuti & Kwai River Valley

How Do You Get To Savute ?

There are 3 ways you can use to get to Savute, a light aircraft, a mobile safari or a self-drive. A light air transfer from Maun or Kasane (depending on guests' itinerary) to the Savuti airstrip in Chobe National Park is required to reach the camp. The flight from either town takes about 40 minutes, and the view from the plane over the beautiful Chobe becomes part of the experience.

Upon arrival at the Savuti airstrip, guests will be greeted by a Camp Savuti representative and driven the final 20-40 minute journey to the camp. This road transfer could be considered more of a game drive because it passes through Chobe National Park and there is a good chance of seeing a variety of animals before arriving.

Savute Wildlife

During the wet summer months, animals migrate to Savute to feed on the marsh's lush grasses.

With the arrival of the rains, thousands of zebras migrate from the northern regions of Chobe and Linyanti into the marsh's lush grasses. During the wet season, the game does not disperse. In fact, it congregates on the floodplain and marsh. Here are some of the most common animals you will see.

Elephants
These big mammals can be seen in the Savuti area and it is very common to see them in large numbers at a waterhole at any given time. During the winter months the elephants are rare in the Savute area due to lack of water, but in the wet summer months they move back into the area.

Lions
There is a group of Lions that hunts adolescent elephants in the area. You will come across a few whilst in Savute. It was also in Savute where a documentary of an iconic war between Lions and Hyenas was filmed.

Zebra
Many zebras move to the grasslands of the Savuti in summer when food is scarce elsewhere. The Zebra migration here is much smaller compared to the migration between the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Impala
Impala are very common in the Savuti region. There are small herds that are resident in the area but most migrate into the region in summer. They flourish well in this area and in other regions where grazers might not find much food.

Tsessebe
These large antelope are often found along the river. They are common in the Okavango Delta, but you can still be seen around the Savuti area.

Buffalo
One of Africa's Big Five, the buffalo is also common in Savute. The buffalo is known to be very dangerous when wounded or caught off guard. They are considered to be the cattle of the bush. You will find large herds on the abundant floodplains of the Savute Marsh and are a major target of the lions.

Giraffe
You are likely to come across Giraffes in areas where there are many acacia trees. The giraffe feeds exclusively on these species of trees. Because of their long necks, they do not need to drink often and can live well in quite arid areas.

Wildebeest
These animals migrate to the lush grasslands of the Savuti, and the Savuti Channel or Linyanti River in search of water in the dry season. They rely on these sources of water to survive in the dry winter months.

Kudu
Kudu are one of the most beautiful and unique of the African antelope; they have a dusty brown coat, long twisted horns and white stripes along their sides. They come down to the Savuti Channel and the Linyanti to drink and in search of food.

Savuti & Kwai Birdlife

The elegant, long-legged kori bustard and the stately secretary bird live in Savute, which is home to some of the world's largest flying birds. These amazing birds prey on unsuspecting snakes and rodents slithering through the long grasslands. The migration of carmine bee-eaters atop the spacious backs of kori bustards will delight birdwatchers. The endangered ground hornbill, which meanders through the tall grass with tangerine eyeshadow and a bulging throat, is another local birding attraction. Raptors use their razor-sharp talons to dominate the sky and tree tops. The sight of a bateleur eagle swooping down with ivory wings to catch unsuspecting prey is simply breathtaking. The ribbon tails of pin-tailed whydahs sway low across the grasslands as they glide through the clear sky.

Best Seasons To Visit Savuti

High Season (Sunny Weather)
Winter lasts from June to October. In recent years, the savuti channel and marsh have done well in the dry months. As the waters recede, they disappear from other drinking spots, leaving only the waterholes and the channel as water sources.

Off Season (Wet Weather)
Summer lasts from November to May. Given the rainy season, depending on the time of year, rains can be heavy or light, filling up waterholes far and wide.
As a result, animals disperse because there is no need for them to congregate around a scarce water source.

Savute Park Fees

Park entrance fees are 120 Botswana Pula ($14) per person per day and P50 ($6) per day for international vehicles. Camping costs an additional 100 pula per person for adults 18 and up, 50 pula for children 8-17, and 20 pula for kids 7-5. (Children 5 years and below go free).

Activities & Experiences In Savute

Aside from the traditional Botswana Safari Activities such as bird watching, safari walks, and 4WD trips, extreme sports such as skydiving, sand-boarding, and white water rafting are also available for thrill seekers. Gubatsa Hills is where you can see the San Rock paintings. The rest of Chobe National Park's attractions are also easily accessible.

DumaTau offers day and night game drives as well as short nature walks along the Linyanti and Savuti rivers. The camp's boat provides guests with access to the waterways, allowing them to observe the Hippos up close (water levels permitting). There are several hides in the area that allow guests to observe and photograph animals in their natural environment without disturbing them.

Walking safaris and night drives are permitted outside of Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park and are offered by lodges and camps as part of their regular activities. Some Khwai camps also provide boating and/or mokoro activities, so the variety is excellent. Khwai also has some of the most affordable camps in the area.

Savuti and Kwai Accommodation

Savuti’ s accommodation options range from tented camps to luxury game lodges, with something to suit all tastes, budgets, and trip types. If you're looking for a safari in Botswana's infamous 'predator capital,' our Savuti Accommodation is sure to inspire you and make planning your Botswana Safari a breeze.

Savuti Camp
The Savuti Camp is located in a remote area alongside the Savuti Channel, about 30 kilometres northwest of Savuti Marsh. This is located outside of Chobe National Park but within the private Linyati reserve. Guests here have exclusive access to an extraordinary array of Botswana's impressive wildlife, with nearly two-thirds of the Savuti Channel inside the reserve. The intimate tented camp has only seven en-suite tents off the ground and a plunge pool.

Elephant Camp Savuti
12 tents spread along the Savuti Channel and all screened off from the bush provide some of the best elephant spotting opportunities in the park. All tents are elevated on wooden platforms, and each has a private deck with easy chairs and a hammock (perfect for lazing around, watching the wildlife at the watering hole).

Safari Lodge Savuti
This large property on the banks of the Savuti channel features 24 modern wooden and thatched suites, all with private decks, a library, cocktail bar, alfresco dining area, and a swimming pool (where you can watch game at the watering hole).