Savute
Savuti, also spelled Savute, is a remote and iconic region within Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, renowned for its rugged landscapes, dramatic wildlife, and the unpredictable Savuti Channel. Often referred to as a "safari secret," it offers a raw, untamed experience distinct from the more accessible Chobe Riverfront. Below is a concise overview based on the latest available information.
Location and Overview
- Geography: Savuti lies in the southwestern part of Chobe National Park, covering roughly 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles) of the park’s 11,700 square kilometers. It features a mix of savanna, mopane woodlands, and the Savuti Marsh—a vast, flat expanse that alternates between lush grasslands and arid plains depending on the season. The Savuti Channel, an enigmatic waterway, periodically flows into the marsh, transforming the ecosystem.
- Key Features: The Savuti Marsh, once a lakebed, is a magnet for wildlife during the wet season. Ancient rock art on hills like Gubatsa and Rhino Hill hints at early human presence. The region’s isolation and stark beauty make it a haven for adventurers seeking solitude.
History and Formation
Savuti’s landscape was shaped by tectonic activity and the erratic flow of the Savuti Channel, which connects to the Linyanti River system. The channel’s flow has historically been unpredictable, drying up for decades (e.g., 1982–2008) and then resuming, most recently in 2008–2016, due to sediment shifts and regional flooding. The area was part of the prehistoric Lake Makgadikgadi, and its modern ecosystem depends on seasonal rains and occasional channel floods. San rock paintings indicate human habitation thousands of years ago.
Wildlife and Ecosystems
Savuti is famed for its predator-prey dynamics and diverse wildlife, particularly in the wet season when the marsh attracts herds:
- Mammals: Known for large lion prides that hunt elephants (a rare behavior documented in films like *Savage Kingdom*). Other species include leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, African wild dogs, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, and antelopes like impala and kudu. Elephants are abundant, especially around waterholes in the dry season.
- Birds: Over 300 species, including kori bustards, secretary birds, fish eagles, and colorful rollers. The marsh attracts storks and herons when flooded.
- Ecosystem: The Savuti Marsh transforms from a dusty plain in the dry season to a green oasis in the wet season (November–April). Permanent waterholes and the channel (when flowing) sustain wildlife year-round, while mopane woodlands provide shade and browse.
