Safari experience deluxe with options such as scenic helicoptor flights to top it off
Somehow the idea of air-conditioned tents always seems a little odd. However Savute Elephant Camp situated on the banks of the usually dry Savute Channel, to the northwest of Savuti Marsh within Chobe National Park appears to fill a niche market of travellers who are searching for the ultimate in indulgent comfort and the best wildlife there is. Large opulent tents in muted colours overlook a waterhole where elephant congregate.
A dry landscape of open grassland, hardwood trees and waterholes, this is a totally different experience to the waterways of the Delta and, especially in the dry season, offers the opportunity to see a great deal in terms of large mammals and birds. Elephant and large prides of lion are main features of this area with wild dog, cheetah and hyena also seen regularly.During February and October large numbers of zebra migrate through Savuti moving in search of water and grazing.
For those that are interested in a little culture, visits to the nearby San rock paintings or the enormous Baobabs can be arranged. The camp offers fishing excursions, scenic helicopter flights and a range of spa treatments at an additional cost. In terms of value for money it is tricky to determine whether you will actually have a wildlife experience that will be that much better than in a slightly less pricey camp. Due to it's location in the Park, no night driving or walking is allowed so activities are limited to game drives. BUT you will most certainly get the best of the best by way of food, service and overall accommodation par excellence. It is worth noting that relative bargains can be got by going the low season (Jan - March) while June - October are the most expensive months to visit. Bear in mind that the wildlife experience will differ significantly over these months.
Fully furnished, luxury en-suite tents
Safari experience deluxe with options such as scenic helicoptor flights to top it off
A small part of the vast Chobe National Park, the Savute Swamp is fed by the seasonal Savute Channel which flows unreliably and provides a valuable water source to large populations of migratory animals and over 300 species of birds. The landscape here varies widely depending on the seasons, and can be lush and green or dry and dusty depending on the time of year. There is good wildlife to be seen here all year round, though the numbers swell significantly during the rains when large herds of zebra and wildebeest migrate up from the pans to the south. The area is famous for it's large resident populations of lion and hyena and there is also a good chance of seeing cheetah and wild dog here. There are also good numbers of giraffe, tsessebe, road, sable, kudu, buffalo, giraffe and waterbuck to name but a few. Savuti is large and there are relatively few camps in the area so it is easy to avoid other people. Read more?
Safaris in Botswana offer dramatic extremes. One the one hand, the lush landscapes of the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti/Chobe River systems, on the other, the beautiful other-worldly expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Kalahari Desert. The variety of habitats makes for varied animal and birdlife as well as beautiful scenery. Strict controls mean that Botswana safari camps and lodges are generally small, and due to the tricky logistics of operating in a delta or a desert, a safari here is seldom cheap, and it's important to know where to go if you are looking for that authentic safari experience. Read more?
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Vanessa's 16 years in travel has seen her knowledge develop from sub-Saharan Africa into North Africa, Central and Southern America and the Galapagos. Consequently, she’s a veritable encyclopaedia of travel information and exceptionally cool, calm and collected in the face of the greatest planning demands.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.