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Bordering the Okavango Delta as well as Chobe National Park, Savute is a fantastic place to see Africa’s big game in action while on your Botswana safari. This region is famous for the mysterious Savute Channel. Running 100 km (62 miles) from the Chobe River, it flows intermittently and seemingly unrelated to the rain. Here, the grasslands form part of zebras’ migration route.
The environment being able to support large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffaloes, tsesseve, and kudu has made this region a must-visit to see predator-prey interactions.
Top Destinations in Savute
When in Savute, there are two places we recommend for both wildlife viewing and a brief window into history:
Savute Marsh: Stop on the Zebra Migration
The Savute Marsh was once a flooded environment – skeletons of trees remain that were once drowned during a flood decades ago. This marsh is a grassland that plays host to unique predator-prey dynamics and diverse wildlife.
Zebras on their annual migration pass through the Savute region with prides of lions following closely behind. The populations of zebras and antelope species also attract leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs.
Gubatsa Hills: See Ancient Rock Art
While Savute is a top spot for a big game safari in Botswana, there’s another reason why this region shouldn’t be missed. Gubatsa Hills is a historical site with fascinating ancient San rock paintings. The orange and red shades are still visible on the rocks here, with the images giving travellers an insight into the lives of the local tribes so long ago.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Savute?
The dry season – running from May to October – is the best time of the year for concentrated wildlife sightings, particularly of predators.
November to March is the wet season and the time of year with the most rainfall. However, there are significant pros to going on a Botswana safari during this time: it’s ideal for birdwatching and witnessing the zebra migration.
Animals Found in Savute
This region is famous for its predator sightings, so going on safari here will give you an excellent chance to see lion prides, leopards, and hyenas. Cheetahs and wild dog packs are also possible to see. The annual zebra migration is an amazing chance to see predator and prey interactions. Savute is also well-known for its large herds of elephants.
On the birding front, twitchers can spot secretary birds, Kori bustards, Abdim’s storks, carmine bee-eaters, and fish eagles.
How to Get to Savute
This region is easily accessible via 4×4 vehicle from the Savute Airstrip, which serves Chobe National Park, Kasane International Airport in the Chobe District, as well as from Maun International Airport, which is the main gateway to the Okavango Delta.
