The Savuti Marsh is located in the southwest corner of Chobe National Park in Botswana and covers an area of about 5000 km². 'Savute' means 'unclear' in Bayei dialect, a reference to the area's unpredictable supply of water from the Savuti Channel.
The mysterious Savuti Channel is the subject of much speculation as to the reasons behind its erratic flow which is responsible for the other-worldly feel of the landscape littered with dead acacia trees.
A Savuti safari tracks through open savannah grassland and gentle hilly slopes lush with grasses and bush from the wet season and stark in the dry winter peak safari season. The wooded bushveld areas of Savute contain acacias, mopane trees, and majestic baobabs. These woodland areas are bush havens for wildlife. The Savuti Channel's clear waters are however the major drawcard, and what makes a Savuti safari so rewarding.
Though peak safari season runs in the hot dry months of April to October, the Savuti Channel and Savuti Marsh form a fascinating safari destination all year round.
The famous missionary Dr. David Livingston first mentions the Savuti Marsh as a "dismal swamp" in 1851. Located in present-day Botswana, the Savuti and Chobe ecosystems fall within the Chobe National Park, an 11,700km² stretch of wilderness that was declared a protected area in 1968.
Chobe is Botswana's oldest National Park and has bounced back from being severely over-hunted by European trophy hunters and commercial loggers to be a thriving safari oasis. Located in the northeast of Botswana, Chobe falls within the convergence of the Kalahari savannah and broad-leaf acacia woodland biomes as well as the Zambezi Teak forest.
Rising in Angola, the Kwando River drains into the Linyanti Swamplands and then reappears as the Chobe River in the Northeast. The Chobe River is characterized by extensive floodplains and riparian forests. In the winter months, the sweet Chobe waters attract between 60 and 70 thousand elephants, the largest population of elephants in the world.
The Savuti Channel on the other hand runs from the south of the Linyanti Swamplands east and then floods the Savuti Marshes in Chobe National Park. The Savuti Channel has been called both the "Forgotten" and "Stolen" River due to its unpredictable nature. Scientists believe that underground tectonic forces influence the flow of the channel.
Evidence points to the Savuti Channel and the Savuti Marsh remaining a desolate wasteland from 1851 until around 1957 when the channel began to flow again. It was during this period that the flooding channel drowned many of the acacia trees that today give the Savuti Marsh such a distinctive feel.
The thriving wildlife area again began to dry in 1982 becoming an infamous battleground for survival. With dwindling resources, lions began to aggregate in large prides and to specialize in bringing down elephants. The wildlife documentaries' Stolen River' and 'Journey of the Forgotten River' both document the drying out of the Savuti Channel during this period of the 1980s.
From 2008 through to 2010, the channel again flooded and drained into the Savuti Marsh turning it into a wildlife haven once more. From 2016 on, however, the channel again began to dry up. This fascinating oscillation between wet and dry, lush and desolate creates unforgettable and dynamic safari experiences. As bodies of water evaporate, fish and aquatic life become stranded and storks, herons, eagles, and even leopards take advantage of the supply of easy food.
During the wet season from November to about March the Savuti Marsh area is a wildlife paradise. Great herds of buffalo and elephants call the area home and herbivores migrate here from the Chobe River searching for lush grazing.
Peak Savuti safari season runs from the end of the rains around March to the start of the rains in November. At this time, the lush vegetation thins, and animals move from being broadly dispersed with abundant water to highly concentrated around the dwindling supply of watering holes.
Savuti's predators gained notoriety during the dry spell of the 80s when large prides targeted and preyed on elephants. Today, these super prides have dispersed but the lions are no less ferocious, often taking buffalos and giraffes. To this day, predator action in Savuti is particularly fascinating and includes safari sightings of cheetahs, jackals, and other small carnivores. One highlight of a Savuti safari is the warring parties of these predators competing over the carcasses of dead animals.
The Savuti Marsh teems with both game and bird life. In the summer months, plains game including zebra, bushbuck, oribi, roan, sable, lechwe, reedbuck, giraffe, and warthog as well as large herds of elephants and buffalo are all in evidence. Resident birds include the impressive Bateleur and the world's heaviest-flighted bird, the Kori bustard. Seasonal visitors arrive with the summer rains from November to about March and include the likes of Carmine Bee-eaters which breed in these months. Almost 500 birds have been counted in Savuti.
A Savuti Safari is rewarding all year round. The best time to visit however is during the winter season from May to October. This is the dry season. The weather is bitterly cold during the night and mild to hot during the day. Vegetation dies back and game viewing is excellent as animals congregate close to watering holes. The drier it gets the better the game viewing.
August and September are the hottest and driest months and the struggle for survival is at its most dramatic. The tension is palpable as parched herbivores hang on for survival and hungry predators lurk.
November to March are the summer rainy months that bring huge relief to the parched landscape. As the landscape becomes saturated and the bush begins to thicken with lush green growth, game disperses and game viewing can be unpredictable but excellent. This is also the time when migratory birds arrive making the Savute area a wonderland for every twitcher.
Savute has two shoulder seasons in April-May and again at the end of the dry season in October-November. In April-May, the days are warm and the nights cool while October and November receive the first rains which relieve the heat but can be very humid. These are popular months because availability is good and the area is not as busy as during the peak safari season from May to August.
Our month-by-month is a rough guide and while we try to be as accurate as possible, shifting weather patterns do make the weather difficult to predict. Ditto the movements of wild animals that follow their own rhythms.
The peak of Botswana's rainy season, January delivers afternoon rain showers with lush vegetation. The game is dispersed making game viewing challenging but often rewarding. Bird watching is excellent and there is good availability and low rates at camps.
Most days have heavy afternoon rains. Botswana is green and alive with many young animals. The game is still dispersed with the abundance of food and water. There is good availability and reasonable rates.
The rains begin to tail off but the weather is variable. temperatures are rising and the zebra migration is moving towards the Savuti Marsh in Chobe. Low rates and excellent birding complement the many young animals still in evidence.
Mostly the rain has stopped though the bush is still lush. Safari game viewing remains challenging. Excellent predator action can be found especially around the Savuti Marsh in Chobe. In April rates begin to climb.
Cooler temperatures, good predator action, and better game viewing make May a popular shoulder season before the peak dry months of June to October.
Temperatures are hot averaging between 30°c and 35°c degrees during the day though nights can be freezing. Visibility is improving as the grass begins to die back and animals begin to congregate around the drying waterholes.
Hot and dry, there is less vegetation and good concentrations of game around water holes. This is a popular month, especially around the Chobe River.
A popular time to visit Botswana August is another high season month. Game viewing is exceptional and varied with high concentrations of game around the remaining watering holes.
September is very dry and very hot during the day. Game viewing is excellent with large herds of elephants and buffalo. The air quality is on the hazy side which makes for great sunsets but is not so good for photography.
October can be humid as the heat reaches its climax. Rain begins to threaten and thundershowers can be fierce and short. Big game viewing is excellent and water levels are very low.
The return of the rains in November signal the end of the high safari season. The bush gets a green flush, water holes begin to refill and wildlife disperses. With the rain, birds return in their thousands.
December month is characterized by heavy rains. As the bush comes alive from the nourishment, safari game viewing becomes harder. This is the low season with low season rates.
Weather patterns are changing globally so please treat this as a broad guide and expect fluctuations and anomalies.
Typical of Southern Africa, Botswana's weather is drier than more easterly countries. Rains fall between November and April and minimum daytime temperatures during these months are around 20° c.
April and May are generally excellent with clear skies and lush green vegetation. It can be chilly in these months as night-time temperatures begin to drop especially in the Kalahari.
During the dry season from May to October nighttime temperatures can drop to zero. Days however warm quickly and it can still be hot.
September and October are the hottest months and temperatures can get up to 40°c.
November, a shoulder season, can deliver anything from sweltering heat to radical cooling thundershowers.
Located in western Chobe, the easiest and quickest way to get to Savuti is by air. A fly-in Savuti safari will land at the Savuti Airstrip where you will be collected by your bush camp or lodge. From here you will be driven around Savuti in custom safari 4x4s with trained professional guides. Flights to Savuti from Maun or Kasane are a quick 40-minute hop.
Savuti has many good campsites and is a great place for well-equipped and experienced 4x4 self-drive safari enthusiasts to explore. Make sure your driving skills are up to dealing with the deep Kalahari sand which does require driving experience and know-how. With the wild and rugged nature of this remote region, it is a good idea to be well-prepared with GPS navigation, an ample supply of water, and extra fuel. The distance from Kasane is only about 175km but because of the road, can take up to 5 hours. From Maun, the distance is roughly 204km, and also takes about 5 hours.
To get to Botswana you can fly to Gabarone (GAB) - Botswana's main International airport from Johannesburg.
A more common option is to skip Gaberone and fly direct to Maun (MAU) or Kasane (BBK) from either Cape Town or Johannesburg. Maun is the best destination for Okavango Delta safaris while Kasane services fly-in safaris for the Chobe River area including Savuti.
From Kasane, Victoria Falls is less than 100km away.
The Savuti Marsh and the Savuti Channel both have a good selection of accommodation options to suit all safari budgets.
From intimate and exclusive luxury camping in Meru-style tents overlooking the Savuti Channel replete with en-suite bathrooms, viewing decks, and a lounge bar to thatched lodges with communal areas and swimming pools, a spa, and a gym. Savuti has it all. Chalets, private decks, combined bedrooms, and family-friendly accommodation is all on offer. Imagine fire-side dinners and night-caps and early morning coffee watching elephants congregate at watering holes.
For self-drive safari enthusiasts or those on a tighter budget, there are plenty of campsites too. Basic ablution blocks and campsites that look over the Savuti Channel's gnarled acacia trees all add to the rugged charm.
Whatever your budget and your taste, there is a Savuti safari to suit your needs.
When packing for your Botswana safari, remember to consider weight restrictions. Short-hop domestic flights often have a 15kg weight restriction.
A Chobe safari in the dry-winter season gets very cold at night and in the early morning but hot during the daytime hours. Your best game drives are early morning and the last few hours before sunset when the weather cools. You need to be equipped to deal with both hot and cold on your Botswana safari adventure.
For the cold, a beanie, gloves, scarf, and warm jacket are all advisable. Temperatures in Chobe can drop to zero at night. A lightweight puffer jacket or fleece with a hard or soft shell should do the trick. Things do warm up pretty quickly so it's important to be able to shed your jacket and have something lightweight and cool underneath. A cool shirt that is breathable is essential. Zip-off trousers are a win as they can double as both warm longs and cool shorts.
Colourwise, keep your palette to natural hues; beige, greens, browns, and khakis are best. You want to avoid both black, white and anything loud. White gets grubby very quickly, black gets very hot and attracts mosquitoes at night, and loud colors like bright yellow or red frighten animals and attract insects.
Closed comfortable shoes are best for your days on safari and a good pair of sneakers or trainers are perfect. Unless you plan on doing any actual hiking, hiking boots are unnecessary. For time spent in camps and lodges, a pair of slip-slops can be a comfortable addition.
Botswana is a safe safari destination.
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your initial arrival. However, citizens from the EU, USA, most Commonwealth countries, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel, and Norway DO NOT require visas. On arrival, you will receive a 30-day entry stamp.
Visas for Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe can be obtained in Gaberone.
It is advisable to visit your local travel clinic well in advance and find out what vaccinations are required. This is a changing landscape and forward planning is essential.
Botswana is a malaria region but prophylactics are both effective and accessible in your home country.
The African sun is severe. A hat and sunscreen are highly recommended and it's always a good idea to stay well-hydrated while on safari.
Don't forget to pack your preferred insect repellent to keep the bugs at bay.
Your safari guides are trained, and extremely knowledgeable, and their top priority is to keep you safe in the wild. Always listen to their advice about how to behave and what to do while on safari.
Even in fenced camps, it is a good idea not to walk around alone at night. If at all possible always have a guide escort you to your tent.
Food always attracts animals so it's a good idea not to keep it in your room or tent.
If you like what you hear and are ready to start planning your Botswana safari to Savuti and beyond, talk to one of our experienced and knowledgeable African Budget safari consultants today.
Use the Google map to explore Savuti Marsh.