Savuti FAQs - Botswana FAQ Guide

A lion in the Savute marsh, Botswana.



What is the correct spelling of Savuti and what does it mean?

Savuti or Savute: this is the source of much debate – and a subject where there is no definitive answer. The general consensus is that Savuti is the channel and Savute is the marsh but this is not cast in stone. The lodges situated in the marsh area are spelled Savute e.g. Savute Safari Lodge and Savute Elephant Camp. The one lodge on the channel further upstream is Savuti Safari Lodge. The meaning of the word is uncertain.

Is Savuti a game reserve or national park?

Savuti is neither – rather it is a region of the Chobe National Park. The Savuti Game Reserve title was brought on by travel companies in a bid to gain a greater presence on the web or to make their lodge classification guides fit a profile.

The channel is dry. Will it ever flow again?

The Savuti Channel has a history of drying up. It has been dry since 1982 but recently began to flow again.

Savuti is the place where lions kill elephants. Is it possible to see this?

As with all things in Africa nothing is guaranteed. It is true that the main lion pride of Savuti specialises in killing elephants, however, they have slowed down the tempo. The most elephants they killed in one year was a few years ago when they killed 37.

Savute is in a public area – does this not detract from the experience?

Savute is in a public area – and there is a public campsite in the area – but due to Botswana’s policy of low impact tourism you will not get the feeling of it being crowded. It is true that some people have experienced crowding but this is generally due to the inexperience of their guides or lack of knowledge of the area as it is possible to have the feeling of remoteness. The area is huge and experienced guides will keep away from the crowds and still provide a great safari experience. At a spectacular sighting there may well be a number of vehicles but nothing in comparison to some other parks in Africa.