&BEYOND SAVUTE UNDER CANVAS – SAVUTE

&Beyond Savute Under Canvas is a luxury semi-mobile camp carefully positioned close to the Savute channel which feeds into the Savute Marsh – home to exceptional numbers of elephant-hunting lion.

Savute – a remote and wild corner of Chobe National Park – stretches from the park’s northern boundaries to the Linyanti River. It’s named after the enigmatic Savute Channel which flows and dries up intermittently.

Situated within the unique Savute landscape the exclusive mobile campsites are perfectly situated to explore this remote region and its wildlife.  Enjoy game drives, walk to see the San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills and enjoy the phenomenal wildlife and birdlife of the area.

LOCATION

&Beyond Savute is located in the Savute area of Chobe National park in northern Botswana.  Access is via scheduled flights from Maun or Kasane to Savute Airstrip followed by a game drive to the camp

CAMP

Each of the five spacious canvas tents has a comfortable double or twin bed as well as an ensuite bathroom, separate flush WC and an outdoor bucket shower – steaming hot water is available on request. A private butler is on hand to assist with any requests.

The common guest area comprises open-sided tents for dining, pre-dinner drinks around the campfire or simply relaxing between game viewing adventures with a good book and a frosted beer or glass of wine. Delicious meals are cooked over the coals and are shared around a blazing fire.

ACTIVITIES

A remote and wild corner of Chobe National Park, Savute stretches from the park’s northern boundary to the Linyanti River. The area’s main feature is the mysterious Savute Channel which flows and dries up seemingly unrelated to the rainfall or climate change. Dry and arid for almost 30 years wildlife and birdlife in the area were sustained and nurtured by artificial watering holes. In recent years the Savute Channel began to flow again resulting in the region’s complete transformation by returning the channel to its natural lush, nourishing and marsh-like state.

At a time when Savute experienced the worst of its dry era lions evolved to the point of hunting elephants. The famous battleground now teems with lush grazing land and is home to herds of wildlife, including the rare roan and sable antelope.

As the winter months approach and the females prepare to den enjoy increased sightings of the African wild dog.  Spring is usually the driest season in Savute but draws flocks of birds that congregate around artificial watering holes. In the rainy summer months herds of breeding elephant move into the open Savute Marsh and thousands of zebra arrive to take full advantage of the rich grasslands and brimming waterholes. Their presence attracts predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard.

Birding is superb with over 450 species of birds.  The wet summer season stretches from November to March and is considered to be the best time for birding due to the arrival of migrants and prey being plentiful.

Game Drives – game viewing in Savute is remote and wild and the area is well known for battles between lions and spotted hyena and frequent sightings of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, tsessebe and kudu. Your guide will tell you about the vegetation of the region and will explain the behaviour of the animals that you come across. In some cases the guides will be able to identify individual animals and let you know about their history and habits.

Birdwatching – with over 450 bird species, most of which are native, the region is teeming with feathered inhabitants. The past dry spell, coupled with a new era of lush marshes, has ensured that new species frequent Savute, resulting in a colourful mix of land birds and aquatic dwellers.

Ancient Savute – take a walk and explore the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, a small hilly outcrop overlooking the landscape. There is an avenue of ancient baobab trees a short distance away at the edge of the wide open plains of Savute and sunset colours provide a superb photographic opportunity.

&BEYOND SAVUTE IS CLOSED DURING JANUARY EACH YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER