The Savuti Channel

A dry channel meandering through an equally dry landscape, the Savuti Channel is now a legendary area for lion sightings. Once a vast marsh the area has dried out over the course of time, though inexplicably the channel will produce water some years. Savuti is located right on the very tip of the East Africa Great Rift Valley, it’s theorized that the associated tectonic activity influences the water flows into the channel. Other theories point to extended droughts as being the cause of Savuti’s lack of water.

Our visit coincided with a dry spell at the Savuti channel. We drove into our remote camp on a blazing hot spring afternoon wondering what our chances were for catching sight of wild game in such an unforgiving environment. Waking at 5 am the next day, we saw lion tracks close to our campsite. The lions of Savuti, hardened by the dry conditions, are known for their ability to hunt down the largest of mammals including; giraffe, buffalo, and elephant. With anticipation of what may lay ahead we drove slowly out of camp to the channel. As if on cue we came across a pride of lions relaxing after a night of hunting, their bellies were full and the youngsters were in good spirits playing and chasing doves.

flocks of doves flew in and out of the channel, attracted to the small water hole that the lions watched over

We spent 2 hours photographing and watching the lion pride that morning. A photographic safari allows for extra attention spent with wildlife sightings, time given for careful observation of the subject, and opportunities to play with composition and camera settings.

Considerations when choosing a guided safari company include:

Is your guide a trained naturalist, familiar with the region?
Is your guide a photographer, able to position the truck for the best photographic opportunities?
Is the truck suitable for photographers; room for gear, removable windows, outlets for charging?
Are your travel companions agreeable to staying with a sighting for a couple of hours?

The Savuti Channel has been a life source of water off and on for centuries. Catch the documentary Stolen River, by Derrek and Beverly Jobert, for a gripping description of Savuti as it dried up in the early 1980’s.

The Okavango Delta region finally had a decent wet season this year so perhaps Savuti has water again. Any trip planned to Chobe National Park should include a side trip here, whether or not the channel has water. There is a particular mood associated with Savuti- I wasn’t particularly seeking it but it was there.

Botswana Safari Company was our agent for this trip