Botswana and Zambia

Savute - Chobe National Park

The Savuti is often described as the best wildlife-viewing area in all of Africa and is ideal for a Botswana Safari. It boasts one of the highest concentrations of safari wildlife - where all of the major species can be seen: giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland and more. The bird life is diverse and thus photograph opportunities abound. Savuti is known for its many predators, including lion, spotted hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox, wild dog and even cheetah. The wildlife alone attracts tourists to visit this area on our 'Botswana Safaris' annually.

The Botswana Savuti Game Reserve lies south of Linyanti and covers an area of over 5000 square kilometres in the western section of Chobe National Park in Botswana. It is a prime game spotting destination and is often quoted as being the best wildlife viewing destination in Africa – making Botswana Safaris in the Savuti very memorable.

Much of the Savuti was previously under water. The Savuti Channel last flowed in 1982. Researchers are flummoxed as to why the channel, which had remained dry since 1885, began flowing again in 1967. It has a history of flooding and drying up independently of good rain or floods elsewhere. The marsh, which is now grassland, is dotted with dead camelthorn trees, which have become a significant feature of the area and a Botswana safari highlight.

Timing your Botswana Safari for the dry winter months, promises the best game viewing time as predators tend to lurk around the water holes. During the rainy season (November to April), game migrates towards grassy areas and the zebra migration is usually tailed by roving prides of lion. Elephants are sighted in abundance, particularly next to water holes at sunset.

Other wildlife viewed whilst on a Botswana safari includes: cheetah, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland, hyena, jackal and the bat-eared fox. A wide variety of birdlife is also available with large secretary birds and kori bustards often seen around the Savuti Marsh.