Savute Safari Lodge

Savute Region

Stretching from the Linyanti River all the way to Savute Marsh, the winding waterways of the Savute Channel have pumped life into the western section of Chobe National Park for many thousands of generations. However, this fickle and unpredictable channel, which has a fascinating history of flooding and drying up, independently of good rainy seasons and flood levels elsewhere, has mystified local inhabitants, geologists and others for many years.

Game drives	Game Drives from the lodge explore the Savute region in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Many excursions will incorporate a visit to the Savute Marsh to give you a chance to see the historic presence of the Savute Channel at the marsh against a backdrop of teeming wildlife.
Cultural experience	Guests can also enjoy a visit to the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills – a small hilly outcrop which forms a prominent landmark in the otherwise flat landscape.

Lodge Facilities

FAMILIES	Accepts children from six years and older.
Rooms	11 Luxury Chalet and 1 Family Chalet accommodating a maximum of 24 guests
PILOT/GUIDE	1 x Pilot/Guide Room (not same standard as guest rooms)
DINING	Various indoor and outdoor dining locations.
CAMP FIRE	Located in front of the lodge overlooking the Savute Channel.
SWIMMING POOL	On a separate deck on the edge of the Savute Channel with easy access from the main area.
VIEWING DECK	An expansive, shaded deck overlooking the Savute Channel, ideal for enjoying the varied wildlife which frequents the channel and waterhole in front of the lodge. A sunken bench in front of the deck allows for low angle photography of the wildlife at the waterhole.
BAR	Fully stocked self service bar.
CURIO SHOP	Accepts cash and credit card payments.
LAUNDRY	Daily, inclusive laundry service available.
WATER	Reverse osmosis water treatment plant supplies drinking water (bottled water on request).
ELECTRICITY	24-hour power supplied by solar plant, backed up by generator. 220V AC plug’s in guest rooms.
INTERNET	Guest laptop available with basic internet connection in the library – there is no Wi-Fi available.

Room facilities

Raised decks	Each chalet is built of local timber and is on raised decks
En-Suite Bathroom	En-suite bathrooms with showers, hand basin and toilet facilities.
FANS	Fans are available in all rooms – there is no air-conditioning in the rooms.
POWER	220V multi adaptor plugs for charging photographic equipment.
SAFE	A small pass-code protected safe for storing valuables.
FLASHLIGHT	For use in the rooms at night.
HAIRDRYER	A small hairdryer is available in each room.
BATHROOM AMENITIES	A range of bathroom amenities including biodegradable soaps, shower gels etc.
TEA & COFFEE FACILITIES	small kettle with tea and coffee available.

THE UNEXPLAINED

When David Livingstone, the first European to visit the area, saw the Savute Channel in 1851 it was flowing. Thirty years later it had disappeared and the Savute Marsh had dried out, remaining this way for almost 80 years. It flowed again from the late 1950s to the early 1980s, when it again receded, hence its reputation as ‘the river that flows in both directions’.

In 2009, after another extended hiatus, the channel began flowing again and by January 2010 had spilled into the Savute Marsh for the first time in three decades, but for how long – no one knows …

ACCOMMODATION & THE LODGE

To ensure a private and relaxing environment, Savute Safari Lodge accommodates just twenty four guests in eleven thatched chalets built of local timber and one family room which consists of two double bedrooms. The chalets, which have been elegantly furnished in calm neutral tones to blend with the natural environment, feature expansive private decks, a combined bedroom and lounge area and en suite facilities.

Sink into one of the numerous comfortable leather, wood or wicker sofas in the lounge – and library – or sip a cocktail in the stylish bar. All these facilities are situated in a beautiful two-storey thatch-and-timber main building. Savute Safari Lodge offers a shaded viewing deck, an al fresco dining area and swimming pool with spectacular pool loungers – ideal for watching the varied wildlife – including the resident Elephants – as they make their way to the Channel to drink, bathe and play.

ACTIVITIES

Activities are organised around game drives throughout the Savute area in open 4×4 safari vehicles. Many trips will incorporate a visit to the Savute Marsh to give you a chance to see the historic presence of the Savute Channel at the marsh against a backdrop of teeming wildlife. Guests can also enjoy a visit to the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills – a small hilly outcrop which forms a prominent landmark in the otherwise flat landscape.

Savute boasts the second-largest summer Zebra migration in Africa; its timing is determined by the rains, but usually occurs between November and December and again between February and April, when the Zebras move from the rivers in the north in search of the rain-ripe grasslands and full waterholes in the southwest of the park. The migration is always followed by large numbers of predators – the Zebra migration is a must for visitors.

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“ Its' good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end” Ernest Hemmingway

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