Visiting Savuti region, Botswana
“What followed was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had with a leopard. The leopard continued to track the herd of impalas, even using our jeep briefly as perfect camouflage to slowly creep closer…”
Travel Agency: Askja Reizen
Day 1: Flight Amsterdam – Johannesburg
After an approximately 11-hour flight from Schiphol, we landed in Johannesburg around 9:30 PM. We headed straight to The Airport Grand Hotel for an overnight stay. The temperature difference from Europe was enormous! It was around 5°C in Johannesburg at 11:00 PM.
After a very cold and short night, along with a hearty breakfast, we departed the next morning to Johannesburg Airport again to continue our journey to Maun in Botswana. From Maun, we took a bush plane around noon to the Savuti region, where we would spend four days at Camp Savuti.
Location: Camp Savuti
Area: Savuti Area, Botswana
Distance: 1-hour flight from Maun
Dates: July
Temperature: 26°C during the day // 5°C at night
Day 2: Arrival at Camp Savuti, Botswana (Savuti Marsh Region)
Our arrival at Camp Savuti was one to remember! A 12-member welcoming committee greeted us with songs. It was impossible not to wear your brightest smile during this warm welcome. We were introduced to all the camp staff, given a brief safety briefing, and then escorted to our tent. After a quick refresh, we were ready for our first game drive in the Savuti region. Our guide for the duration of our stay was KG (pronounced as Kay-djie). On our first game drive, where we mainly explored the surroundings of our camp, we had the chance to witness the rare Roan Antelopes, impalas, giraffes, and a lone elephant against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunset.
Day 3: Camp Savuti, Botswana
After a very cold night, thankfully, the camp staff provided us with warm water bottles when we returned to our tents to alleviate the chill. We gathered in the dining area around 5:30 AM to quickly have breakfast and start our morning game drive at 6:00 AM. All bundled up and with a cheerful KG behind the wheel, we encountered a pair of dik-diks grazing in the beautiful morning sun as soon as we left the camp. A few meters away, we stumbled upon a herd of impalas, a Lilac Breasted Roller, some kudus, and a bit further, a family of giraffes. At a waterhole, we spotted a Saddled Billed Stork before returning to our camp.
After enjoying a hearty lunch, our guide KG suggested that this time we explore the region west of our camp. As soon as we left the camp, we encountered a magnificent male elephant walking confidently in our direction. A few meters away, we came across two kudus, a solitary buffalo, and some ostriches crossing our path. On the way back, our guide spotted an adult leopard resting under a bush. We stayed for a while observing the leopard before heading back to camp for dinner.
Day 4: Camp Savuti, Botswana
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we headed to the renowned Savuti Marsh region. After an hour of driving, we arrived at our destination, and one discovery followed another. A Lilac Breasted Roller was beautifully illuminated by the sunlight, an osprey perched on an island in the marsh, a fish eagle took off with a fish clutched in its talons… After a while, our attention was drawn to descending vultures, and we noticed a hyena among the bushes chewing on the carcass of a baby elephant. KG suggested we follow the hyena for a while, and it turned out to be a good decision. After a few minutes, we saw the rest of the hyena family in the open marsh area. An opportunistic jackal tried in vain to grab a piece of the elephant, while spoonbills and several Marabou Storks watched in the background with interest. On our way back to camp, we encountered a herd of grazing wildebeests. With a sense of fulfillment after our morning game drive, we enjoyed an excellent lunch.
For the evening drive, KG suggested returning to the same spot we had visited the previous day, to the west of our camp. Just as we left the camp, KG spotted a leopard devouring a guinea fowl, with a herd of impalas in the background. KG told us that this was probably just the appetizer and that there was a good chance the leopard might catch one of the impalas. The wind and the sun were in favor of the leopard, so we decided to stay put. What followed was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had with a leopard. The leopard continued to track the herd of impalas, even using our jeep briefly as perfect camouflage to slowly creep closer… Until the moment it had to cross a small river. What we saw next was quite hilarious; a leopard reluctantly crossing a 30 cm deep river as if walking on eggshells. Each step was taken with clear reluctance, and it made for some beautiful photos. As it started to get dark, we reluctantly left our spotted companion and returned to our camp.
Day 5: Last Day at Camp Savuti, Botswana
On our final day in Savuti, we decided to head east in the morning to an open area where there was a chance to spot cheetahs. After an hour of driving, we came across a herd of buffalos, which, with the rising sun, provided some beautiful pictures. After taking a few photos, we continued our search for cheetahs. Two hours later, we still hadn’t seen any cheetahs, and KG suggested we head back to camp. On the way, we did spot a secretary bird, a solitary elephant, and the most exciting moment came just before we entered the camp. Suddenly, we noticed a hunting leopard that leaped to catch a guinea fowl right in front of us. However, the action happened so quickly that we couldn’t capture the decisive ‘kill shot’. Satisfied, we returned to camp, ready to move on to our next destination.
What we have certainly learned from our visit to the Savuti region is that the story of lions hunting elephants is indeed a myth. Since the Savuti River started flowing again, more wildlife has returned to the region, and the lions are scattered. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any lions during our trip.
Eric Lahey
