Searching for the perfect getaway? There’s no better source than firsthand experience, so let me share my insights in this review on Wilderness Savuti in Botswana.
On my recent trip to the Okavango Delta in October 2024, we stayed in 4 lodges, in 4 different areas of Botswana:
- Wilderness Qorokwe
- Wilderness Kwetsani
- Wilderness Little Vumbura
- Wilderness Savuti
Each lodge is unique, and each area is completely different.
Now just so you know, if you Google this lodge name as Savuti, there are a few camps with the word ‘Savuti’ in it. Sometimes its spelt as Savute.
I am specifically talking about Wilderness Savuti.
Wilderness Savuti is classified as a classic camp.
The Linyanti Area
Wilderness Savuti is located in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, right in the north of the country.
And in this reserve, you will find the Savuti Channel.
And where there is water, there is life!
This area is home to hundreds of elephants, and we were fortunate enough to see A LOT of ellie babies. And they are just too cute.
Especially when you notice that they still haven’t learned to control their trunks properly yet!
At the moment, October 2024, the area is dry. In fact, the Delta waters have receded so much and there is little rain, making the mopane woodlands look like a fire has run through the area. But it hasn’t.
But right now, it is really, really dry (summer rains are expected soon and everyone is waiting).
The benefit of this is that this dryness does help in spotting game more easily.
On your drive through the mopane woodlands, you will see so many ellies, and then you reach the Linyanti River and the plains just open up.
There is so much wildlife!
Ellies, warthogs, red lechwe, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, wildebeest, loads of birds and lots more.
Keep reading: Do’s and Don’ts of Going on a Safari
Lodge Location
Wilderness Savuti Camp is located on the Savuti Channel which flows infront of the lodge.
The water levels are currently low but on both nights, elephant herds would come down to the water to drink.
All of the rooms for the channel, so it doesn’t matter which room you’re in, you will have a view of the channel (if there is water).
But it’s not only elephants. Watching either from your room or from the deck area, or even the swimming pool, you can see crocodiles, baboons, various antelope species, giraffe, buffalo, and loads of interesting birds.
One thing I love is that the lodge is unfenced, meaning wildlife can walk through at anytime.
Getting To The Lodge
This camp is remote, and the only way to get here is to fly.
When you book your safari vacation, your agent will book the flights with (most likely) Wilderness Air, who will fly you to the camp’s airstrip.
If you aren’t a fan of flying, or small planes, here are some tips to help you when you do need to fly.
Flight times:
From Kasane Airport: 45 minute flight
From Vumbura Airstrip (where we flew from): 28 minutes
From Maun Airport: 45 minute flight
Once you arrive at the Chobe Airstrip, you will be met by your guide who will undoubtedly be smiling and ready with a much needed cold drink!
From the airstrip, it’s about a 35 minute drive to the camp.
BUT it will probably take longer than that as you will most likely see wildlife on the way, and will surely want to stop, and watch, and take photos.
The other way is to fly in with a helicopter. The helipad (not a helipad like you get in a city or on top of a building, but more like one that you would imagine finding in a field) is also about 35 minutes or so away from the camp.
And the location of this helipad changes with the season, depending on the water levels.
Know that if you are going to travel here, your agent will automatically cost in a fixed-wing aircraft into your quotation and package as this is the standard method of transport.
If you do want a helicopter, you need to let them know as the rates are different and so you will need to be quoted accordingly.
The Main Areas of the Lodge
Like all lodges, there is a dining area and a lounge area, but the areas at the front of the lodge are the best.
At the bar, the chairs face out onto the channel so you can sip your mimosa and watch nature do her thing.
Alongside the bar area is the fire pit which also faces the channel and its a great place to relax at the end of a hot and busy wildlife-spotting day.
And next to this is the pool. It isn’t deep and it isn’t a lap pool, but it’s enough for you to cool off in with sun loungers around it, again where you can sit and sip your mojitos. Again, facing the Savuti Channel. Pool side game viewing.
There is also a coffee station, a curio shop, and next to the pool area, a ‘loo with a view’ so you don’t have to trek all the way back to your room.
There isn’t a gym at this camp, but there is a yoga mat and some light equipment in your room.
If you’re a runner, you can let the camp know and your guide will take you to the airstrip where you can run. He’ll drive along with you for safety, just incase there are any animals lurking around.
Keep reading: Best Safari Activities in Africa
Your Room
All of the rooms are joined to the main area by a wooden walkway.
And you have to stay on the walkway. You only walk on the walkway.
This wooden walkway is elevated off the ground, and there are dips along the walkway, called elephant pathways, to allow the ellies to cross over without hurting themselves, and without damaging the walkways.
Best Tip: Don’t wear slippery shoes on these walkways!
I actually took my shoes off because I’d slipped a few days before at a different camp, and wasn’t risking that again.
And it was just too hot to wear any type of closed shoes.
One of the guides actually asked me if I’d forgotten my shoes in my room, but when the manager saw me she was so happy as she said that she feels when people don’t wear shoes, she knows they feel comfortable and as if they are at home.
So that was me, barefoot luxury. I absolutely love it!
Savuti Camp has six rooms in total, with one being a family room.
The rooms are canvas tents with thatched roofs, and they have everything you need.
Beds can be made up as two twin beds or one king-size bed. You need to specify this when you make your booking.
There isn’t aircon in the rooms – you are in the middle of nowhere and the camps run off solar power – but there is a ceiling fan and a free-standing fan and because of this, it actually got a bit chilly in the night.
Even though temperatures were pipping 40 degrees C during the day, in the middle of the night it got cold as we left the fans on through the night.
The rooms have the usual – mosquito nets, insect repellant, insect spray, a safe, tea & coffee making facilities and even a hairdryer.
The bathroom has a shower, no bath.
And the toilet is in an enclosed toilet room (that might sound like an odd thing to say, but some camps in Africa just have a wall separating the loo from everything else).
Food, Food & More Food
This isn’t set in stone, but on average you start your day with breakfast at about 05h30 (in summer) which is the cold buffet and you can order cooked food.
When you return from your game drive, it’s lunch time which is usually a fresh buffet lunch.
Then at about 16h00 it’s tea time. After that, you head out on your afternoon game drive.
You enjoy snacks with your sundowners out in the bush, and then return for dinner which is usually a la carte.
I promise you, you will NOT go hungry!
How Do You Incorporate This Camp in Your Itinerary
Wilderness Savuti is in the north of the country and the closest international airport is Kasane Airport (in Botswana).
Entering Botswana through Kasane is the best way that you can combine a vacation in Africa to include a trip to Victoria Falls (or Zimbabwe and/ or Zambia), with Botswana.
The below are some examples of how to do this (not limited to the following):
Option 1: Into Kasane and out of Maun
If you are starting your Botswana itinerary from Kasane, because of the location, the easiest way to include this camp into your itinerary, is to make it the first camp you visit.
Option 2: Into Maun and out of Kasane
If you are ending your Botswana itinerary in Kasane, because of the location, the easiest way to include this camp into your itinerary, is to either make it the last camp you visit (and from Kasane Airport in Botswana, its very easy to continue travelling into either Zimbabwe or Zambia).
Option 3: Into Maun and out of Maun
The above are only examples and these just make sense from a logistical point of view, but when planning your itinerary, your agent will also take into consideration:
> availability
> the combination of classic style camps with premier style camps
Keep Reading: Top 10 Must-Do Adventures in Victoria Falls
Why I Love This Camp…
I absolutely love, love, love the Savuti Channel running in front of the main area and the tents. Essentially, all tents (rooms) are ‘river facing.’
There was always something meandering down to the water, alongside the water, and in the water.
The birdlife is incredible – you don’t even have to leave the camp!
The game in the area was fantastic. Look, this does change with the seasons, and even though we didn’t see some of the ‘big ones’ like leopard, cheetah or wild dog, we did see some really amazing animals.
Like a 2.5 metre African rock python. And a pride of lions resting in the shade of a tree after they’d just polished off an unfortunate Roan antelope. A kettle of vultures circling the remains of said antelope. Loads of ellies and ellie babies. And so many Fish Eagles!
Everywhere we went, there was something.
To sum up my personal review on Wilderness Savuti in Botswana, I would recommend this camp. It is shutting down temporarily for a few fix ups, but will be open again for all types of travellers who are looking to get away.
In my opinion, this lodge is great for families, groups, birders, couples, generational family travel, as well as solo travellers.
