Luxury Lodges · Linyanti Concession, Botswana
Wilderness Savuti
Overview
Highlights
- Depending on subtle shifts in the underlying tectonic plates, the waters of the Savuti Channel either flow strongly – a magnet for thirsty wildlife – or recede to leave behind a rich grassland for herbivores and their predators.
- The ultimate romantic Star Bed experience in Botswana (currently under refurbishment), set apart from the camp, offering a uniquely intimate overnight under the starlit African skies.
- Thrilling day and night game drives, guided walks***, helicopter rides*, seasonal boating and catch-and-release fishing.
[* at additional cost]
Destination: Wilderness Savuti is perfectly positioned for an exceptional safari experience with impressive opportunities for land- and water-based game viewing. It is situated in the private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve on the Savuti Channel, which is famous as a sporadic and unusual watercourse. Depending on imperceptible shifts in plate tectonics, the waters of the Savuti either flow strongly – attracting thirsty wildlife – or ebb, revealing grassy plains where antelope and other game gather, attracting predators. Plains game and predators thrive here, and exploring the length of this channel and woodlands is a highlight.
Experience: Wilderness Savuti has a charming home-away-from-home atmosphere; the wildlife is plentiful and varied, the natural history of the area fascinating, and our professional and friendly guides and exuberant hospitality ensure the perfect guest experience.
When the water is high enough, water safaris reveal pods of hippos, sunbathing crocodiles and wading elephants. Birders will delight in spotting over 400 bird species. Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions on morning and afternoon game drives, while night drives deliver entirely new nocturnal delights. Go on guided nature walks, tracking animals and learning more about the area***.
Set away from camp is one of Savuti’s prime attractions – the stylish Star Bed (currently under refurbishment) is the perfect spot to end a magical day on safari and delivers an unforgettable safari experience to take home.
[*** seasonal and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide]
Purpose: Wilderness Savuti provides support to various research projects and initiatives in the Linyanti, with a focus on the enormous elephant herds and their impact on the environment. Every guest who stays with us directly contributes towards our efforts to conserve, expand and protect this pristine tract of wild land.
Wildlife: The Savuti Channel is a fascinating natural phenomenon, and a refuge for a variety of wildlife. When dry, it is a rich feeding ground and corridor between the mopane woodlands for both plains game and predators. When the waters flow, game congregates around it in numbers.
The Linyanti is most famous for its very large elephant populations, which can reach enormous densities during the dry winter months. Overall game concentrations are high too, and apart from abundant plains game, guests can look out for roan, rare sable, giraffe, and iconic African predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, and African wild dog. The area is also excellent for the otherwise rarely seen aardvark and aardwolf.
Wilderness Savuti: The camp promises an authentic and intimate safari offering. Just six suites (including a family room) all have front-row views of the geological marvel that is the Savuti Channel. From the camp’s expansive thatched main lounge, dining and bar areas, elevated wooden decks extend out over the channel bed. A small pool invites a refreshing dip, and a fire deck beckons for evening stories – being largely open to the bush, it serves to amplify the remarkable wildlife sightings.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
Family Accommodation
There is one spacious family unit consisting of two bedrooms, each with their own en-suite facilities, separate entrance and a shared outdoor deck.
Standard Twin/Double Tent(s)
Savuti’s tented guest rooms are set on elevated wooden decks overlooking the famed ‘stolen river’ and its ever-changing wildlife parade. Well appointed, with every creature comfort, the rooms are decorated with locally sourced African...
Details
Good to know
Ideal for
Birding, Nature, Wildlife
Property facilities
Bar, Library, Pool
Accommodation & amenities
Electrical Outlets, Fan, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Credit Card Facilities, Private Vehicle (Available)
On-site activities
Bird Watching, Boating, Catch-and-release Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Night Drives, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided)
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
We Are Wilderness
Discover Earth’s ultimate, untamed places with Wilderness. Let us take you on an unrivalled journey through a collection of the world’s most iconic wild destinations. Our company exists to make sure the world will always have a version of its iconic wild places that is unfenced, wild, unpredictable. It’s not our reputation as one of the first, or the largest, in the conservation tourism space that makes us Wilderness. It’s our determined push to keep going. To keep protecting, exploring and expanding Earth’s ultimate, untamed places. To then bring guests to discover the beating pulse of each one.
Discover Botswana: A Wildlife Haven
Heed the call of the wild on an exclusive Botswana safari. Explore outstanding landscapes and witness astonishing wildlife in one of the world's wildest destinations. A safari in Botswana will see you journey to one of the world’s most astounding wildlife destinations. Meet Botswana’s warm people and delight in the thrill of exploring vast landscapes. Glide across the magical waters of the Okavango Delta or gather around a campfire telling stories old and new. At night, listen to a chorus of frogs and other performers. An African sky, exploding with stars.
Activities
What you can do
Wilderness Savuti – Birding
With the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve being an internationally recognised Important Bird Area (IBA), birding is understandably outstanding at Wilderness Savuti, from slaty egret in the water to kori bustard in the dry areas.
Wilderness Savuti – Boating *
Exploring the waters by boat can be undertaken in the morning, during midday, or as an afternoon activity. Boating is a wonderful way of seeing large numbers of waterbirds, and wildlife, attracted to the river and seasonal pans.* Water levels permitting.
Wilderness Savuti – Game Drives
Morning and afternoon game drives reveal the rich wildlife of the area. Both plains game and predators thrive, and exploring the length of the Savuti Channel, and its associated woodlands is thus a highlight here. With its enormous seasonal concentrations of elephant, Wilderness Savuti provides essential support to research projects and conservation initiatives relating to this species, as well as others.
Wilderness Savuti – Guided Nature Walks *
Explore on foot, and observe the many signs of the wild from tracks on the ground, to the sounds of the wilderness around you.* Weather permitting and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide.
Wilderness Savuti – Log-pile Hide In Front Of Camp
In times when the water has receded, the camp's log-pile hide is a perfect place to spend your afternoon siesta hours. Elephant are often the star attraction here: either big elephant feet will obstruct your view, or watch out for sprays of water propelled from their trunks!
Wilderness Savuti – Night Drives
A whole new safari experience begins after dark. Look out for nocturnal animals including lesser bushbabies, spring hares, aardwolf, servals, large spotted genets, and if you are extremely lucky, perhaps even pangolin!
Wilderness Savuti – Star Bed * (currently under refurbishment)
Reimagined as an exclusive overnight experience set apart from the main camp, the Savuti Star Bed is being redesigned to deepen guests' connection with the wild. The new concept will feature two open-air areas: one elevated deck used for the Star Bed experience, and a second, more grounded deck designated for dining, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. Currently undergoing restoration, the site is expected to reopen in due course, with a provisional return anticipated in November 2026. More news to follow. * Weather permitting and operated subject to the discretion of the Camp Manager.
Wilderness Savuti – The Zibadianja Hide (currently under refurbishment)
Overlooking the Savuti Channel and facing west across the iconic Zibadianja Lagoon, this daytime excursion offers exceptional opportunities to view and photograph wildlife. From its elevated vantage point, guests enjoy an authentic and immersive perspective of the African bush in one of the Linyanti's most dynamic settings.
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