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SAVUTI CHANNEL and its MYSTICAL MARSH,
BOTSWANA
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds & wildlife
habitats of the African safari region
of Savuti (Savute) in Botswana.
The
extensive safari area in the north-east of Botswana,
can be divided into three distinct regions. We suggest
you also read the descriptions of the other areas
to get a complete overview. These regions are:
The
Chobe River in the
north that forms Botswana’s border with Namibia,
part of which lies within Chobe National Park; the
Savuti Channel and
Marsh in the interior of Chobe National Park;
and the Linyanti
River and Linyanti Reserve along the western boundary
of Chobe National Park. There is also a migratory
route between Chobe National Park and Zimbabwe's Hwange
National Park.
These
areas are known for having the greatest concentration
of elephants on earth.
It is estimated that there
are between 45,000 and 90,000 elephants here!
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To
request a private safari tour of the Savuti
in Botswana, click here >>>
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Recognised
as a prime game viewing area, the Savuti
(also spelt Savute), covers almost 1,930
sq. miles (5,000 square km) in the south west
of Chobe National Park.
The
western edge of Savuti is encircled by the Magwikhwe
sand ridge, 156 miles (100km) long and 65 feet
(20 metres) high, which is the ancient shoreline
of a super-lake that covered much of northern
Botswana. It is difficult to imagine that this
harsh dry landscape was once submerged beneath
an enormous inland sea.
A channel from the Linyanti River once fed the
now dry Savuti Marsh, which is the deepest part
of the Mababe Depression and is the only part
to have filled with water in recent history.
This
marsh has something of a mystical renown as
it can dry up or flood regardless of local rains.
David Livingstone, on his way to 'discover'
the Victoria Falls in 1851, commented, that
it was a "dismal swamp," but sometime
around 1888 it started to dry up and remained
completely parched until 1957. Camelthorn acacia
trees established themselves in the channel
and along the banks and grew to full size. During
unexpected floods these trees were drowned but
as the channel and marsh dried out again, the
dead trees became one of the most prominent
features of the landscape.
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Today,
parts of Savuti are almost desert-like with a
scorching sun and hot sand, while at the other
extreme are vast grass plains full of game, reminiscent
of Tanzania's Serengeti. These rich grasslands
are boosted into fecundity by summer rains, at
which time huge herds of zebras migrate south
from the Linyanti to gorge on the abundant grazing.
Savuti also contains a number of pans that hold
water for months after the rains, enabling animals
to remain long into the dry season.
Another
strikingly different terrain found in Savuti,
are the Gubatsa Hills. Formed some 980 million
years ago during volcanic movement, these dolomite
rock outcrops create a series of extraordinary
hills. They rise to an astonishing 290 feet (90
metres) high, out of a completely flat landscape.
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| ANIMALS
& BIRDS
The
area promises sightings of endangered wild dog,
which is said to be the most efficient hunter
in Africa. Large concentrations of lion follow
the annual zebra migration intently, and leopard
and cheetah are to be seen. Many hyenas live here
and researchers have found that lions loose 20%
of their kills to them. Hyenas are formidable
hunters in their own right but are opportunistic
feeders who will annoy and threaten a pride of
lions until they give up their meal. Savuti is
also famous for its elephants that roam great
distances for the best fodder.
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secretary birds and kori bustards are often seen
strutting around the Savuti marsh and small redbilled
francolins provide as a noisy morning wake up
call. Interesting summer migrants and water birds
include Abdim's storks, carmine bee eaters and
even fish eagles. Little quelea finches are quite
a spectacle as they gather in thousands. They
reach a frenzy of numbers in about April when
a single flock could contain tens of thousands
of these small twittering birds.
SEASONS
Rainy season: Rains arrive from November to April,
at which time the animals make their way to pastures
rich in new grass. Sometime in November or December
thousands of zebras migrate from the Linyanti
in the north and move south through Savuti to
the grasslands of the Mababe Depression. In February
they start heading northwards again. Humidity
and heat is high.
Dry
season: From May to October the water pans dry
up and the animals are attracted to three artificial
waterholes. Elephants dominate these while other
animals have to wait their turn. September and
October can be extremely hot but game viewing
is very rewarding as predators are concentrated
around the waterholes.
SAVUTI
SPECIALITIES
· Rare and endangered
wild dog are a pleasure to observe
· Thousands of zebras
moving slowly across the plains in their twice
yearly migration, is a sight to behold
· Hyenas have the most
complex social system of all African animals and
are fascinating to watch at their den when youngsters
are around
· Sit for hours watching
elephants at waterholes
· Safari lodges offer
luxury in a completely different environment from
Chobe or Linyanti
· Quelea finches gather
in flocks of tens of thousands
· The sage bush (or bitter
bush) releases its herbal aroma as it is crushed
by foot or vehicle
FACTS
Savuti is in Chobe National Park so off-road and
night driving are not permitted
This is a malarial area.
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Follow
the links below to Botswana's premier wildlife regions and
game reserves
PRIVATE
SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE SAVUTE REGION |
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