Savuti is often described
as the best seasonal wildlife-viewing area in all of Africa. It boasts one of the
highest concentrations of wildlife - This is National
Geographic documentaries territory.
Here all of the major species can be
seen: giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, roan, sable, wildebeest,
kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland and more. The bird life is
diverse and thus photograph opportunities abound. Savuti is known for its
many predators also, including lion, spotted hyena, jackal,
bat-eared fox, wild dog and even cheetah.
The Savuti Game Reserve lies south of Linyanti and covers
an area of over 5000 square kilometres in the western section of Chobe
National Park in Botswana. It is a prime game spotting safari destination
and is often quoted as having the best wildlife viewing destination in
Africa.
Much of the Savuti was
previously under water. The Savuti Channel last flowed in
1982. Researchers are flummoxed as to why the channel, which had remained
dry since 1885, began flowing again in 1967. It has a history of flooding
and drying up independently of good rain or floods elsewhere. The marsh,
which is now grassland, is dotted with dead camelthorn trees, which have
become a significant feature of the area and a safari highlight.
Timing your holiday here
for the dry winter months, promises the best game viewing time as predators
tend to lurk around the water holes. During the rainy season (November to
April), game migrates towards grassy areas and the zebra migration is
usually tailed by roving prides of lion. Elephants are sighted in abundance,
particularly next to water holes at sunset.
Other wildlife viewed
whilst on safari includes: cheetah, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, impala,
tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland,
hyena, jackal and the bat-eared fox. A wide variety of birdlife is also
available with large secretary birds and kori bustards often seen around the
Savuti Marsh.
You can reach Savuti Game
reserve by air (the reserve has an airstrip) or 4x4, and it is recommended
that you holiday for at least four days in the reserve to do it justice.
There is a variety of public and private camps from which to choose.
