Savute Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the enigmatic Savute Channel in the western reaches of Chobe National Park, and it's become one of Botswana's most popular safari destinations for good reason. The area is absolutely renowned for intense predator activity, particularly the resident lion prides that have become famous for their ability to hunt large game like elephants and buffalo. The Savute Channel itself is fascinating – it has this mysterious habit of flowing and drying up completely independent of rainfall patterns elsewhere, which has puzzled geologists and locals for generations. Right now it's flowing again after decades of being dry, bringing even more wildlife to the area.
The lodge itself is comfortable and welcoming without being overly fancy. There are eleven thatched timber chalets plus a family room, all elevated on wooden platforms with private decks that look out over the channel. The rooms are spacious and decorated in those calm neutral tones that blend nicely with the surroundings, with en-suite bathrooms and all the standard amenities you'd expect. The main lodge area is really the highlight though, with a two-storey building housing the lounge, library, and bar, plus this fantastic viewing deck that overlooks a waterhole where elephants congregate in huge numbers, especially during the dry season.
Activities revolve around game drives through the Savute region and visits to the nearby Savute Marsh. You can also head to Gubatsa Hills to see ancient San rock paintings. If you visit between November and April, you might catch Africa's second-largest zebra migration, which is pretty spectacular. The whole atmosphere is friendly and down-to-earth with excellent guiding.
