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Savuti, Botswana - Things to Do in Savuti

Things to Do in Savuti

Savuti, Botswana - Complete Travel Guide

Savuti, located in the heart of Botswana's Chobe National Park, is one of Africa's most legendary wildlife destinations and a premier safari location. This remote wilderness area is famous for its dramatic seasonal transformations, ancient rock art, and some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities on the continent. The region is particularly renowned for its massive elephant herds, powerful predators including lions and hyenas, and the mysterious Savuti Channel that flows and dries up unpredictably over decades. The landscape of Savuti is diverse and captivating, featuring open grasslands, scattered islands of trees, rocky outcrops, and seasonal marshlands. During the dry season, the area becomes a wildlife magnet as animals congregate around the few remaining water sources, creating incredible game viewing opportunities. The region's isolation and pristine wilderness make it a bucket-list destination for serious safari enthusiasts and photographers seeking authentic African wildlife experiences away from crowds.

Top Things to Do in Savuti

Game Drives

Experience world-class wildlife viewing on morning and afternoon game drives through diverse habitats. Savuti is famous for large elephant herds, predator sightings including lions and leopards, and excellent bird watching opportunities. The area's varied terrain offers different wildlife experiences from open grasslands to woodland areas.

Booking Tip: Book through established safari operators with experienced local guides, expect to pay $400-800 per person per day including accommodation. Dry season (May-October) offers best wildlife concentrations, while wet season provides better photography lighting and fewer crowds.

Rock Art Viewing

Explore ancient San Bushmen rock paintings at various sites around Savuti, including the famous Gubatsa Hills. These archaeological treasures provide insights into the region's human history dating back thousands of years. The rock art depicts hunting scenes, animals, and spiritual ceremonies of the area's earliest inhabitants.

Booking Tip: Include rock art visits as part of your safari package, most lodges offer guided walks to sites for $50-100 per person. Best visited during cooler morning or late afternoon hours, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection.

Savuti Channel Exploration

Discover the mysterious Savuti Channel, known for its unpredictable flow patterns that have puzzled scientists for decades. When flowing, it creates lush wetlands attracting diverse wildlife, while during dry periods it reveals different ecosystems. The channel's history and current state significantly influence local wildlife movements and behavior.

Booking Tip: Channel exploration is typically included in comprehensive safari packages, check current water levels when planning as this affects wildlife distribution. Best experienced with knowledgeable guides who can explain the geological and ecological significance.

Night Game Drives

Experience the African wilderness after dark on guided night drives to spot nocturnal animals rarely seen during daylight hours. Look for leopards, hyenas, honey badgers, and various owl species while listening to the sounds of the African night. Night drives offer a completely different perspective on bush life and predator behavior.

Booking Tip: Available through private concessions and some lodges for $80-150 per person, not permitted in national park areas. Book in advance as spots are limited, bring warm clothing as temperatures drop significantly after sunset.

Walking Safaris

Take guided walking safaris to experience the bush on foot, learning about animal tracks, plant uses, and smaller wildlife often missed from vehicles. Walking safaris provide intimate encounters with nature and opportunities to develop bush skills under expert guidance. These walks focus on ecology, animal behavior, and traditional bushcraft knowledge.

Booking Tip: Offered by specialized safari operators for $100-200 per person per walk, requires good fitness level and closed walking shoes. Morning walks are preferred for cooler temperatures and active wildlife, always accompanied by armed professional guides.

Getting There

Savuti is accessible primarily by chartered flights from Maun or Kasane airports, with several airstrips serving the area including Savuti South and Linyanti airstrips. Most visitors arrive as part of organized safari packages that include flights, transfers, and accommodation. Self-driving is possible but requires a 4WD vehicle and extensive bush driving experience, as roads are challenging sand tracks that can be difficult to navigate. The journey by road from Maun takes 4-6 hours depending on conditions, while flights take approximately 45 minutes.

Getting Around

Transportation within Savuti is exclusively by safari vehicles provided by lodges and tour operators, as this is remote wilderness with no public transport or car rental facilities. Most movement is via specially modified 4WD safari vehicles designed for game viewing and rough terrain navigation. Walking is only permitted in designated areas and always with professional guides due to dangerous wildlife presence. Some lodges offer boat transfers when water levels permit, and helicopter transfers can be arranged for premium experiences.

Where to Stay

Savuti Safari Lodge area
Linyanti Concession camps
Selinda Concession lodges
DumaTau Camp vicinity
Zarafa Camp region
Mobile camping sites

Food & Dining

Dining in Savuti consists entirely of meals provided by safari lodges and camps, featuring high-quality cuisine that often exceeds expectations for such remote locations. Most lodges offer international cuisine with African influences, fresh ingredients flown in regularly, and special dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice. Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches during game drives, and candlelit dinners under the stars are standard experiences. Many camps feature outdoor dining areas, traditional boma dinners around fires, and sundowner cocktails in scenic locations, creating memorable dining experiences that complement the wilderness setting.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Botswana

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

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The Daily Grind Cafe + Kitchen

4.6 /5
(720 reviews) 2
cafe

Norii Japanese Restaurant Ubud by Wonderspace

4.8 /5
(519 reviews)

Marc's Eatery

4.5 /5
(348 reviews) 2
bakery cafe store

The Duck Café

4.6 /5
(223 reviews)
bar cafe store

Okavango Brewing Company

4.5 /5
(115 reviews)
bar

Pepe Nero Ristorante Italiano

4.5 /5
(108 reviews)

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

The dry season from May to October is considered the best time to visit Savuti, with excellent wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources and vegetation is sparse, making spotting easier. June through August offers the most comfortable temperatures but also peak crowds and highest prices. The wet season from November to April brings lush landscapes, excellent bird watching, and dramatic thunderstorms, but some areas may be inaccessible due to flooding and wildlife is more dispersed. March and April offer good wildlife viewing with fewer crowds, while November through February is ideal for photography with dramatic skies and newborn animals.

Insider Tips

Book accommodations well in advance as Savuti has limited lodge capacity and fills up quickly during peak season
Pack layers including warm clothing as temperatures can drop significantly at night even during hot days
Bring high-quality binoculars and camera equipment with extra batteries and memory cards as there are no shops in the area

Explore Activities in Savuti