Savuti Camp: Our full report
Savuti Camp is about 30km due west of the Savuti Marsh, and the famous Savuti area of Chobe National Park.
It stands within the private 1,250km² Linyanti Reserve, on the edge of the Savuti Channel, whose water levels fluctuate over the years. The camp is elevated above the channel, giving views from every area of the wildlife drawn to the water.In the north, beside the Linyanti River, the environment is like the Chobe riverfront: open floodplains beside the water, an adjacent band of riverine forest, and then dense (mostly mopane) forests stretching away south.
Over the last thirty years, as the Savuti Channel has experienced years of strong flowing waters, Savuti Camp has fluctuated from being on the edge of a "dry riverbed" and "away from any flowing rivers" to a camp that was able to offer boating activities. With the water flow now reducing again, it’s an ongoing process; on our visit in September 2024, the Savuti Channel was a mere trickle – yet the wildlife viewing from camp can be excellent.
Having been totally rebuilt in 2007, just before the channel filled again, the camp was rethatched in December 2024. Over the years, we have been very impressed by the layout. We also enjoy watching a fairly steady stream of elephant herds, day and night, as they move towards the water to drink.
Savuti Camp’s seven tented chalets (including a family unit consisting of two en-suite bedrooms, each with its own separate entrance, and a shared outdoor deck) are set up on stilts a couple of metres above the bank that leads down towards the water. Each provides a very private setting, with a good-sized viewing deck and a couple of comfortable chairs from where to watch the river and the animals that frequently move through camp on their way to the water's edge. We would recommend chalets four or seven for the best elephant experiences.
Wooden poles supporting a thatched roof form the outer shell of each chalet, supporting a canvas-sided tent with sliding doors, large mesh windows, and wooden flooring that extends onto the deck. The windows allow a cooling breeze to pass through, while canvas flaps can be raised on cooler evenings.
At the centre of the bedroom is a large four-poster bed draped with mosquito netting and set beneath a ceiling fan, with a bedside control panel. A couple of very comfortable armchairs, along with a table and footrest, are complemented by a tea and coffee station and a few reference books. The rooms are very well-lit, with both bedside lamps and good main lighting, but we felt that some of the softer furnishings could do with a refurbishment.
A central canvas and wood partition separates the bedroom from open-plan bathroom. Here you’ll find a walk-in shower, his and hers sinks and a separate toilet reached through a door leading off the side of the building.
Raised wooden walkways connect the chalets with the main lodge building. A large, open-sided, wooden structure crowned by a high thatched roof, this is decorated with traditional Botswana basketwork and other local artefacts. Guests can purchase baskets following a basket-weaving demonstration that is set up just before high tea, and from the small curio shop.
Comfortable chairs and sofas, and a good library, make up the spacious lounge area. The dining area, with a bar, gives each guest a view of the channel while they eat.
We loved the sizeable viewing deck which overlooks a permanent waterhole (where breakfast is usually served), and where there's a small, shaded swimming pool with sunloungers. There is also a firepit where fires are lit in the morning and evening. Wildlife can often be seen coming down to the water to drink and elephants often cross from one bank to the next not far from the main area.
Activities at Savuti Camp revolve around 4WD game drives up and down the Savuti Channel and into the surrounding mopane woodlands (although generally this vegetation is less productive for game-viewing). Fishing and boating are also available, depending on water levels.
As Savuti Camp is in a private reserve, night drives and off-road driving are allowed, and qualified guides may lead walking safaris. (Do not confuse this area with the area around Savuti Marsh, within Chobe National Park – which operates according to national park rules, and where such activities are not permitted.)
As the water into the Savuti region fluctuates, so does the wildlife. When there was a wide, flowing channel, this altered the entire dynamic of the area as animals were able to disperse over a wider area with a more readily available supply of water to support them. As a result, the Savuti, which had gained a name for large prides of lion in the past, saw an increase in numbers of other predators as the lion prides followed the game and their density decreased.
Come September 2024, however, we were overwhelmed with lion encounters, the most notable being a dominant male chasing a young sub adult with incredible intensity. We also enjoyed a glimpse of a sable antelope from the camp. But it was the constant ebb and flow of elephants to the water’s edge, particularly in front of the camp, that really left us spellbound.
Guests spending three nights at Savuti Camp have the exciting option of pre-arranging a night sleeping out in the elevated hide that overlooks the Zibadianja Lagoon. During the afternoon, guests are driven to the hide where a bed, complete with mosquito net, and shower facilities are set up and dinner is served. A guide sleeps nearby for added security.
Our view
Savuti Camp’s location, raised above the Savuti Channel, is unique in that wildlife comes to the camp when the channel has a very low flow. The wildlife is plentiful and varied, and the natural history of the area fascinating, brought to life with great guiding. All of this is complimented by good food, friendly staff and very comfortable rooms and communal areas. Do ensure you are by the pool deck as the day heats up; this is the best time to see the elephants.
Botswana expert
Geographics
- Location
- Kwando-Linyanti area, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- We'd recommend a three-night stay at Savuti Camp to ensure you get the most out of your visit.
- Directions
- Guests fly in to Savuti Airstrip, which is towards the north end of the Savuti Channel. It is then about a 30-minute road transfer, depending upon what you see on the way.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- On our last visit in September 2024, we found that the meals were of a very good standard. The camp can comfortably cater to vegetarians and any other special dietary requirements if notice is given.
Mealtimes follow the usual safari-camp format, with a light breakfast served at around 6.00am before your morning game drive, brunch served at around 11.00am on your return, tea at 4.00pm before your evening activity, and then a three-course dinner, usually at about 8.00pm.
You can pick and choose your breakfast, from a selection of cereals, fruit, yoghurt and muffins. On our last visit there was also a station where you could choose between freshly made sweet or savoury pancakes.
Brunch is served buffet-style, with soup, various salads, cold meats, fresh bread and savoury dishes such as quiche. On our last visit we enjoyed spare ribs, chicken, noodles, broccoli and pea salad, butternut and lentil salad, and homemade bread.
At tea time you will be tempted by delicious snacks such as shortbread and mini pizza. Iced tea or coffee and freshly made lemonade are also on offer, as well as hot drinks.
We had a delicious dinner of short ribs, chicken and citrus mushroom rigatoni with green salad, a rice and tofu salad. Dessert was a coconut and pineapple fool. On Monday night guests dine in the boma, a traditional circular enclosure with no roof and often a fire in the middle. We were treated to a variety of local dishes – fish, chicken and beef – accompanied by a variety of vegetables prepared in a traditional way. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Drinks are included, except for champagne and premium-brand spirits.
Purified drinking water is available, with reusable drinking water bottles provided to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.
Special interests
- Birdwatching
- For birdwatchers in Botswana, Savuti Camp can be outstanding, ranging from Okavango species to those of the drier mopane woodland. The Savuti Channel has a high concentration of raptors and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area.
- See ideas for Birdwatching in Botswana
- Photography holidays
- When the Savuti Channel is low, the wildlife concentrates in great numbers at Savuti Camp, allowing for some stunning wildlife potential, particularly elephant and lion. The camp’s logpile hide adds further appeal for photography in Botswana.
- See ideas for Photography holidays in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children who are 6 years old and above are welcome, although families bringing children who are between the ages of 6 and 12 must hire a private vehicle.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Families with children between the ages of 6 and 12 must hire a private vehicle.
- Special activities & services
- Special meals can be prepared for children.
- Equipment
- No special equipment is provided.
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes, as Savuti has a family room. Parents must supervise children at all times, however: this is a dangerous game area, there are no fences, and there are high walkways around camp.
- Notes
- Parents must keep all children under close and constant supervision as dangerous animals can wander through this camp at any time.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Savuti Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Savuti Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator.
- Communications
- The camp has WiFi in the chalets and the main office can be contacted via radio in an emergency.
- TV & radio
- No
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All rooms have plumbed hot and cold running water.
Sustainability
Protecting the environment of Linyanti Reserve
The owners of Savuti Camp, Wilderness Destinations, have implemented measures to reduce its footprint, including ozone water purification, and to protect endangered species.
Research is carried out on species on the IUCN Red List such as the African wild dog, elephant, lion and roan antelope. As Savuti Camp is no stranger to the human-elephant conflict, the camp has facilitated and helped fund two MSc studies researching the challenges of this issue and the impact of elephants on vegetation, other animal species and local villages.
See more great sustainability projects in Botswana
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Camp managers and guides are first-aid trained, and a comprehensive medical kit is kept on site. Wilderness Safaris also have their own nurse based out in camps in the bush, who is on call to give advice if a guest falls ill. Guests can be flown out to the nearest doctor in Maun in the event of an emergency. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Alarms are provided in the rooms for sounding in the event of an emergency.
Guests are also escorted to and from their rooms after dark. - Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are kept on the balconies of all chalets and in the main areas.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Night drive
Private activities
Sleeping under the stars
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Included
- Money
- All rooms are equipped with electronic safes.
- Accepted payment on location
- US dollars, UK pounds, South African rand, euros and Botswana pula are all accepted. Guests may also pay for curios with Visa or Mastercard at no additional charge.
Room types at Savuti Camp
Tented Chalet
Wooden poles support a thatch roof forming the outer shell from where a canvas sided tent hangs. This canvas walled section has large mesh windows and is entered through sliding doors. The whole construction is positioned on stilts above the banks leading down towards the water. The whole chalet has wooden flooring.
Main bedroom:
At the centre of the bedroom is a large double, four-poster bed covered with a mosquito net. At its foot is a tea and coffee station and a few reference books for use on your own private balcony. There are a couple of very comfortable arm-chairs situated to the side with a table and foot rest. The rooms are also very well lit for reading at night with plenty of bed side lamps and good quality main lighting provided.
Temperature control:
There is a ceiling fan above the bed with a bedside control panel.
The mesh windowed tents also allow a cooling breeze to pass through; canvas flaps can be raised to halt this breeze on cooler evenings.
Bathroom:
The bathroom is situated behind a central wicker and wood partition which separates the bathroom from the bedroom. The bathroom is open plan with a walk in shower, his and hers sinks and a separate toilet reached through a door leading off the side of the building.
Outside areas & views:
At the front of the tent is a good-sized veranda with a couple of comfortable chairs providing views over the water. This is raised a couple of meters off of the ground and not only offers great views of the river as it passes by but also of any animals which frequently move through camp on their way to the water's edge.
Other lodges in Kwando-Linyanti area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Lagoon Camp
Within the vast Kwando Reserve, renowned for its wild dogs, Lagoon Camp offers excellent game viewing that focuses on predators.
Lebala Camp
With enthusiastic guides and trackers, Lebala – in a vast private reserve – is particularly well-placed for seeking wild dogs.
Selinda Camp
In an attractive area that is particularly rich in game between June and November, the luxurious Selinda Camp caters particularly well for photographers.
DumaTau
DumaTau, in the private Linyanti Reserve, offers game drives, seasonal boat cruises and walks. Wildlife safaris here are quite seasonal, and are at their best during the height of the dry season, between June and October.
Linyanti Bush Camp
An increasingly rare find in Botswana, Linyanti Bush Camp blends relative simplicity with numerous activities and very good guiding.
Selinda Explorers Camp
The luxurious, traditional tented Selinda Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by really top notch guides in a game-rich area.
Zarafa Camp
Zarafa is an exclusive camp overlooking the scenic Zibadianja Lagoon within the Selinda Reserve, a particularly game-rich area between June and early November.
Kings Pool
King’s Pool is a top-end luxury safari camp with a price tag to match; the game viewing can be very good during the dry season.
Linyanti Ebony
Independently owned and run, the small Linyanti Ebony sits on the same site as Linyanti Bush Camp, with similarly high standards of guiding, and a strong emphasis on the wildlife experience.
Linyanti Expeditions
Tip-top guiding. In tune with the habitat. Down-to-earth, authentic camp comfort. A place of wilderness safari harmony.
Little DumaTau
Small and sophisticated, Little DumaTau lies adjacent to its larger sibling in the private Linyanti Reserve, overlooking a beautiful lagoon.
