Wilderness Savuti
Wilderness Savuti is an intimate tented lodge built overlooking the Savuti Channel in the exclusive Linyanti Concession in the Greater Linyanti Region.
Wilderness Savuti is located in a great area for game viewing, with the Savuti Channel and Linyanti Swamps (to the north) attracting large herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as general game. The Greater Linyanti Region in general has long been known for its leopard, lion and wild dog populations and Wilderness Savuti is well placed to offer excellent predator viewing (cheetahs are harder to find these days due to higher water levels in the channel). The camp itself is very comfortable but maintains an authentic bush vibe, and for this reason we like the camp a great deal. The camp has always been well run and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Savuti is a quietly upmarket camp without trying to be too luxurious or overly sophisticated. The waterhole hide in front of camp is a great addition, and can produce excellent elephant sightings.
Rooms
Wilderness Savuti accommodates up to 12 guests in large framed canvas and thatch chalets raised off the ground on wooden platforms overlooking the Savuti Channel. Each chalet has en suite facilities which include an indoor shower, separate flush loo and double vanity, ‘four-poster’ mosquito nets cover the bed and to the front is a small furnished verandah. Ceiling fans provide welcome relief in the hotter months. One of the units has been extended to include a second sleeping tent (on a shared raised deck) with twin beds and en-suite facilities. The second bedroom is linked to the main bedroom by a short, enclosed walkway (the rooms are effectively inter leading) making for an excellent family unit set up.
Central Areas
The open plan central reception areas house the lounge, bar, dining area (weather permitting, evening meals are also taken alfresco in the traditional ‘kgotla’) and are also raised off the floor on decking and covered with a thatched roof. They lead to an open verandah with fire pit. There is a small swimming pool.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Linyanti concession is run by Wilderness Safaris and is home to three camps – Duma Tau and Kings Pool overlooking the Linyanti wetlands in the north and Savuti overlooking the Savuti Channel in the south/central region. The concession covers a huge area – some 300 000 acres.
The habitat along the Linyanti River is one of lush riverine woodland, giving way to the drier, mopane dominated woodlands of the interior, through which the Savuti Channel snakes it way to eventually feed the Savuti Marsh. The Savuti Channel is a seasonal waterway which extends south-eastwards from the Linyanti/Kwando river systems. In years of good rains, the channel holds water throughout the year but it is a delicate system easily affected by drought and tectonic plate movement. After several years of holding water, the channel is in a cycle of drying out again.
Once the dry season commences, the Savuti area attracts large herds of buffalo, zebra and elephant and the predator species which follow them, particularly lion. Other animals likely to be seen include hippo, kudu, impala, zebra, tsessebe, red lechwe, eland, sable antelope, giraffe, and wild dog. On night drives, you’ll have the opportunity to view nocturnally-active species such as bat- eared fox, spring hare, leopard, spotted hyaena, aardwolf, porcupine, aardvark, honey badger, bushbaby, civet, genet, serval and wild cat.
The birdlife is prolific, attracting both water and dry country species such as slaty egret, Allen’s gallinule, wattled crane, and African skimmer, as well as, Bradfield’s hornbill, white-breasted cuckoo-shrike, Bennett’s woodpecker, Arnott’s chat, Kori bustard and secretary bird. The area is even better when the summer migrants return and swallow-tailed and carmine bee eaters, racket-tailed rollers, and high concentrations of raptors, including Dickinson’s kestrel, are commonly seen.
Activities
Game viewing takes place by open four-wheel drive vehicles (by day and night), whilst walking is also possible. For several years boat cruises and fishing were available when water levels permitted, but it is no longer possible for the camp to offer these activities (this could change in the future). There is also a sleep out deck where guests can spend the night under the stars.
Seasons
Wilderness Savuti is open all year round, though game viewing is best from June to early November. However, birding is best from November to April.
Wilderness Savuti accepts children 6 years and older though it is naturally a destination for families with slightly older children. The family unit is perfect for staying ‘under one roof’ whilst having separate bedrooms, and the pool is an added attraction during the hotter months. The hide provides something extra to do during the heat of the day, with some exciting close-up encounters with elephants during the dry season. Children must be 13 years or older to join walks. For a family with teenagers looking to enjoy an upmarket family trip around Botswana, Savuti is a great option.
Wilderness Safaris established the Children in the Wilderness programme (CITW) focusing on the children from villages close to the remote areas in which they operate, educating them in environmental awareness and training them in the life skills needed to care for and nurture their natural environment. Some of these programmes include operating annual camps for up to 30 children at a time in their lodges, running regular Eco-Clubs in rural schools, Youth Environmental Stewardship (YES) which mentors particular children who have shown a strong interest in their environment and scholarship programmes for primary, secondary and tertiary education.
The Wilderness Wildlife Trust is involved in conservation, anti-poaching, community empowerment and education. The Trust has many projects throughout Botswana (Wildlife Research Increasing Capacity), Namibia (Desert Dwelling Giraffe Study), Zimbabwe (Hwange Elephant Movement Study), Zambia (Zambian Carnivore Program), Malawi (Mobile Response Unit) and Rwanda (Shoebill Arial Survey).
In 2019 Wilderness Safaris joined the Lion Recovery Fund and several of Africa’s other safari operators to form the Lionscape Coalition to raise funds for and awareness of lion conservation.
Conservation projects closer to Savuti include working with local authorities and supporting the research of threatened species that can be found in the area such as wild dog, roan antelope and elephant amongst others.
The camp has a reverse osmosis water filtration system providing drinking water to guests drastically reducing the need for bottled water. Eco friendly detergents and chemicals are used in all Wilderness Safaris camps, adhering to strict in-house environmental standards.
Wilderness Safaris also offers its guests the option bring a donation of supplies in partnership with Pack for a Purpose where guests may use the empty space in their suitcases for donations of much needed supplies for supported projects.
