Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge

OVERVIEW:

This luxurious property is exceedingly well run! We tend to recommend Belmond Savute to travelers seeking a very comfortable stay in Chobe National Park.

As its name indicates, Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge is owned and operated by Belmond, a luxury company specializing in iconic hotels, trains, cruises, and safaris. The Belmond portfolio also contains Khwai River Lodge and Eagle Island Lodge, the latter located in the Okavango Delta. These lodges are among the most comfortable properties in north Botswana! Savute Elephant Lodge is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, a laundry service, and Wi-Fi. The lodge is open throughout the year.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

The lodge can be accessed via a short light-aircraft flight from Maun or Kasane, followed by a brief road transfer. It’s situated on the banks of the Savute Channel, in the wildlife-rich Chobe National Park.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SAVUTE ELEPHANT CAMP: 

Guest accommodation consists of 12 tented rooms. Each is elevated above ground level on wooden decking, to make the most of views over the channel. Shaded by traditional African thatch, every room offers a four-poster double bed, a writing desk and chair, a sofa at the end of the bed, and a very well-presented en-suite washroom, complete with spacious outdoor shower. Other amenities include a mini-bar, a safe, a room-to-room telephone, Wi-Fi, bathrobes and slippers, and a hairdryer. On the deck itself you’ll find a generously proportioned daybed, two comfy armchairs, and a side table – perfect for relaxing in style!

The communal facilities at Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge are chic and comfortable too. They include a large lounge as part of a central space incorporating the indoor dining area and a well-stocked bar. Guests can also enjoy delicious food and drink in the property’s outdoor boma, in a traditional dining experience under the stars. Anyone in need of a little pampering can head to the spa, for treatments using Thera Naka products and inspired by healers’ age-old wisdom. There’s also a small reference library and a little shop. The spacious swimming pool is adjacent to an area that can be used for al-fresco dining and yoga, and it’s ideal for winding down in between activities. Finally, the lodge has a unique animal hide, where you can enjoy thrillingly close observation of local wildlife coming to drink at the nearby waterhole!

ACTIVITIES AT SAVUTE ELEPHANT CAMP:

The lodge provides an exciting assortment of activities, as follows:

• Expertly guided game drives

  - These take place during the early morning and late afternoon. For decades, the waters of the Savute Channel have ebbed and flowed, but there has always been plenty to see on game drives. For example, the area around the Savute Marsh is home to a fine variety of predators and herbivores. Among the wildlife highlights are lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – four of the Big Five! You can also look out for rarer mammals such as wild dog, brown hyena, and sable antelope. Birdwatching is particularly good during the summer months of December to March, with over 450 species of feathery friend recorded here.

• Discover the San Bushmen rock paintings

  - The San Bushmen inhabited this region over 1,500 years ago! Among evidence of their existence here are the famous rock paintings, and we highly recommend taking a look at these artworks as a cultural add-on to your safari.

• Half-day excursion to baobab forest

  - This excursion is usually offered as part of the paintings trip. After admiring the San Bushmen’s work, you’ll continue to a grove of 13 majestic baobabs that has been compared with a cathedral. For more information about activities, or anything else to do with staying at Belmond Savute Elephant Camp, please contact a member of the YZ team.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.