Description
Savuti Camp lies on the Savute Channel in northern Botswana, a famous waterway in a thrilling state of flux. For a quarter of a century, the Savute Channel was dry, creating wide-open grassland, home to both quantities and varieties of wildlife and a legendary predator's enclave. In 2008, the waters returned, and Savuti has front-row seats to view the abundant game that has congregated and adapted in its wake.
The game viewing from the camp is remarkable, with views onto the waterhole close to the camp. Sightings of large numbers of animals from the camp are not a rarity. Guests can also enjoy the beautiful views surrounding the camp from the comfort of the cool plunge pool.
The seven 'Meru' style tented rooms are all uniquely designed and raised off the ground on wooden decks facing the channel. The camp also has a raised thatched dining area and bar, curio shop and a boma area for outdoor dining.
Game concentrations here are high, particularly in the winter dry season, and apart from abundant plains game, species such as roan and sable antelope, southern giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyaena, black-backed jackal and wild dog may also be encountered. In winter, this area can also be excellent for the sought-after aardvark and aardwolf, which are big ticks on anyone's mammal lists!
Accommodation
This intimate camp's en-suite accommodation is in seven large walk-in tents that are raised off the ground and face onto the Savute Channel. There is also a larger 'family' tent with two bedrooms.
Childcare
The camp welcomes children over the age of 8 years. Food and meal times can be adapted to suit younger guests and babysitting can be provided on request.
Facilities
The camp has a beautifully thatched dining area, a plunge pool and large viewing area with fire pit extend outwards on raised wooden decks, providing a wonderful view of the Savute Channel and its wildlife. There is a viewing 'hide' from which to spot game and birds.
Activities
Activities are based around game viewing guests can explore the Savute Channel and its environs through day and night game drives, nature walks with a guide (on request), and several well-positioned hides for safe, up-close animal viewing. Savuti Camp's former 'wood-pile hide' in front of camp is now part of the flowing Savute and famous for spectacular elephant viewing in the drier winter months.
When to travel
Botswana’s winter is during our British summer, and the weather is hot during the day, but it isn't a stifling heat, and cold at night. The summer months (British winter) can be hot and humid and there is a chance of rain. Botswana has one rainy season which runs between mid-December and runs through to mid-March.
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Location and directions
Linyanti Reserve, Botswana
Savuti Camp is situated in the Linyanti Reserve along the Savuti Channel in northern Botswana. Savuti camp is built about 17 kilometres "downstream" from the source of the Savuti. The channel stopped flowing in 1980 and what was a Hippo-filled river, is now wide, open grasslands.
How to get there
11 hour international flight to Johannesburg, followed by a 2 hour international flight to Maun. From there fly in to Savuti Airstrip, 30 minute charter flight in a small aircraft. Savuti Airstrip is towards the north end of the Savuti Channel and is about a 30 minute road transfer to camp.
