Savute Elephant Camp
Savute Marsh - Chobe National Park, Botswana
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SAVUTE ELEPHANT CAMP - SAVUTE
MARSH, CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA
Savute Elephant Camp is dramatically different
from Orient-Express Safaris' other camps (Khwai
River Lodge and Eagle
Island Camp). It is located on the now flowing Savute Channel in Chobe
National Park, which is in the rugged, semi-arid wilderness region
of far northern Botswana. The camp offers a spectacular birds eye view of elephant in their natural habitat. The Savute Channel, one of the greatest mysteries and fascinations of Northern Botswana, is flowing again after nearly 30 years of lying dormant.
The area is known for its exciting game viewing and birding. This area
also presents you with the rare opportunity to view rock paintings drawn
by the early Bushmen, who once inhabited the region. As this camp is situated in the Chobe National Park, park regulations
prohibit night drives and walking.
Savute personifies the eternal contrast
of Africa. Where Orient Express' other two camps celebrate water and
lush vegetation, Savute is an objective lesson
in aridity. Rain in this dry place is rare and water is precious. Situated
on the Savute Channel, which is an eccentric waterway that fluctuates
between being bone-dry or
flooding, the whole ethos of Savute
Elephant Camp is commiserate with its inhabitants and environment,
although the camp has not seen water flowing in the channel since 1983.
You find yourself in harmony with
a unique timeless place, removed from city life. In Savute, you realize
that precious little has changed on
these dry plains since time began. And the realization dawns that you
are fortunate and privileged to be in one of the last corners of the
planet governed by nature.
Savute Elephant Camp is owned and
operated by Orient-Express Safaris.
Accommodation 
For images of Savute Elephant Camp, click Savute Elephant Camp Images
Savute offers 12 twin-bedded
luxury canvas tents under thatch that are perfectly
suited
to the desert air and feature lavishly appointed
en-suite bathrooms and dressing areas. The
tents also have private viewing decks and comfortable outdoor lounges
overlooking the Channel.
Tent facilities include:
• Individual gas geysers
• 'His and hers' vanity unit
• Private viewing deck
• Outside lounge with hammock and ceiling fan
• Electric heaters
• Air conditioning
• Private outdoor showers
• Mini-bars
• In-room safes
• Hair dryers
• Electric overhead fan (24 hour use)
• 110v/220v plugs for electric razor
• Facilities for charging video cameras
• 24 hour DC battery lighting in guest rooms
• Intercom system to reception
Camp Facilities
• Spectacular observation deck area, just 10 meters from the adjacent water hole
• 20-meter elevated Swimming pool area overlooking the riverbed
• Private Outdoor dining area – the ‘Boma’ ideal for special events and entertainment
• Private outdoor leisure area
• Internet access and satellite TV located discreetly away from the main lounge and dining areas.
• Satellite phones on request
• High powered telescopes for star gazing
• Same-day laundry service
• Curio shops with essential toiletries, safari wear, local art and craft objects
• Reference library of books and videos, audio-visual facilities
• VHF radio communications plus 24-hour emergency facilities
• Environmental flora and fauna check lists
• Talks and lectures by our environmentalist (on request)
• Emergency medical evacuation service
Dining
Enjoy a relaxed meal overlooking the stunning Savute channel in the raised dining area. Gazing over the channel, which is home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, you will be treated to delicious cuisine created by the skilled in-house chefs. Throughout the day you will be able to relax is in the quiet atmosphere of the lounge, sampling exotic treats or simply sitting back with a cup of tea taking in the remote landscape.
The kitchen offers something for everyone all day and will also be glad to prepare picnics for you to take on a game drive. Game drives often start early. You will be woken with a light breakfast to enjoy in your tent before setting off on your drive. On your return the kitchen will be open for a light brunch to satisfy you until the next adventure begins...
Meals include:
Early breakfast (served around 6am)
Light brunch (served around 11am)
Light snacks, tea and coffee on morning activity
Afternoon tea (served around 4pm)
Drinks and snacks on afternoon activity
Dinner (served around 8pm)
The Savute Boma
A dining experience second to none in a traditional Boma, best translated as a traditional meeting place, where senior tribe/community members would get together for the "Kgotla" or meeting. Typically traditional food dishes would be served during or after these get-togethers in the Boma. The Boma had two entrances, one more hidden than the other to ensure the safe passage of tribe elders or the chief should any threat arise.
The Boma offers spectacular vistas of the African night skies, through the silhouettes of Camel Thorn trees and Acacia nigrescens, which have been incorporated into the design. Dining in the Savute Boma will, without a doubt, bring you closer to nature within the heart of a true bush environment.
Activities
Savute Elephant Camp
offers game viewing activities in the morning and late afternoons. These
activities
take
place on a safari viewing vehicle, designed for
your comfort and safety. Activities are restricted to set regulations
as the camp is within a national park.
Game Drives
Savute Elephant Camp promises outstanding game viewing without having to leave the confines of the camp itself, so prevalent is the wildlife around the water hole. When you do venture out, in open 4x4 vehicles, the there are excellent opportunities to see wildlife on the Savute Marsh, which is also home to the Zebra migration during the months of February and October.
In addition to the game drives, excursions can be arranged to see the historic San rock paintings in the hills or the ancient Gametrackers Baobabs. Our camp offers game viewing activities in the morning and late afternoons. These activities take place on our safari viewing vehicle, designed for your comfort and safety. Activities are restricted to set regulations as the camp is within a national park.
Bird Watching
Savute Elephant Camp is based on the edge of the Savute Marsh and of the three Orient-Express camps, is the driest. Primarily a desert habitat this area abounds with desert and savannah birds. On the Marsh one can find the largest flying birds in great numbers - Kori Bustard, Ground Hornbills, Ostrich and Northern Black Korhaan. This area also abounds with LBJ's (little brown jobs) - Ayers, Desert Cisticolas and a large number of Pipits and Larks. This is also one of the few places to view the Bradfield's Hornbill, which is also a true desert species.
More than 250 birds species are found at Savute and most of them are endemic to the area. Summer is a wonderful time to visit as it is lush and green and the area abounds with all the summer migrants as they follow the Rift Valley south. Savute is also well renowned for its elephant and lion populations and can often add to the experience and memories of a trip to this area.
Wildlife
The opportunities to view game and
the astonishing bird life of this area are unsurpassed. The
camp's Rangers
are almost telepathic in their ability to find game. They will point
to what appears to be an empty horizon. From the emptiness, magnificent
creatures will appear, as if conjured by some unearthly magic.
Every day, in the early morning and evening,
your professional Ranger will guide your four-wheel drive safari vehicle
to within close viewing
range of impassively grazing herds of Impala, Tsessebe, Giraffe and
Zebra as well as within close focus range of the powerful predators:
Lion,
Leopard and Cheetah. You are also likely to see plenty of
Wildebeest, Warthog, Kudu, Black-backed Jackals, Steenbok, Bat-eared
Foxes, vultures, hornbills and eagles.
In Savute, one animal reigns supreme.
Savute is the place to see the earth's largest land creatures in their
full glory. Elephants
are numerous
and very big in Savute.
When the rain comes in December, this
arid region changes completely and the once dry plains sustain, for
a short period, herds of migrating
Zebra in their thousands. In their trail are the opportunist predators
such as Lions and Hyenas. It is truly a spectacle to behold. More than
anywhere else, here at Savute
you sense the essence of Africa.
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