Things to Do in Savuti

Savuti sits in the heart of Chobe National Park, occupying a stretch of the Kalahari where the mysterious Savuti Channel flows - or doesn't flow, depending on the decade. This remote corner of northern Botswana has built a reputation as one of Africa's most dramatic wildlife theaters, where the seasonal rhythms create some genuinely spectacular animal encounters. The landscape here shifts between grassland and scattered woodland, all centered around the Savuti Marsh, which acts like a magnet for wildlife during the dry months. What makes Savuti particularly compelling is its unpredictability - the channel that feeds the marsh has a habit of drying up for years at a time, then mysteriously flowing again, completely transforming the ecosystem. When water is present, you'll find massive herds of elephants, zebra, and buffalo converging on the marsh, followed closely by lions and other predators. The area is famous for its unusually aggressive lions, some of which have learned to hunt elephants, and the seasonal zebra migration that brings thousands of animals through the region between July and October.

Dining in Savuti happens exclusively at your lodge or camp, as there are no restaurants or towns in this remote wilderness area. Most accommodations serve excellent cuisine that blends international dishes with local ingredients, often featuring game meats like kudu or impala alongside more familiar options. Bush breakfasts and sundowner drinks are standard offerings, and many camps can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice. The isolation actually works in favor of the food quality, as camps compete on their cuisine since guests have no other options.

The dry season from May to October offers the best wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources, but each period has distinct advantages. July through September brings the zebra migration and peak predator activity, while the shoulder months of May-June and October offer good wildlife with fewer crowds and lower prices. The wet season from November to April transforms the landscape into lush green grassland, but animals disperse and many camps close due to difficult access conditions.