Savute Safari Lodge

The large, slightly corporate lounge has many couches and chairs on which to relax, but for the best view, head for the communal fireplace. The dining room is smartly decorated but we prefer the lovely alfresco dining area by the channel. The pool sits on the channel's edge, shaded by several knobthorn acacias - a great place to keep cool in the extreme summer heat, while keeping a watchful eye on the action.

Eleven thatched chalets (including one family room) accommodate a maximum of 24 guests. Each elevated chalet sits along the edge of the channel in the shade-rich riparian woodland. The bedrooms have beautiful wooden floors and thatched roofs, but feel more hotel-like than bush camp-like. The double or twin beds are enclosed by an elegant mosquito net, and offer full panoramas through the glass sliding doors. There is a spacious lounge and an expansive, shaded deck. The en-suite bathroom boasts a lovely large shower.

Because Savute Safari Lodge falls within the boundaries of Chobe National Park, activities here are limited to game drives in open 4WD vehicles. The drives usually centre around the Savuti Marsh and along the channel, where the majority of the big game concentrate. There are lots of elephant and zebra to be seen, along with big herds of buffalo and a healthy population of lion and wild dog. Park rules also restrict drives to daylight hours and driving to designed roads (i.e. no off-roading). Birding is particularly interesting, especially at the beginning of summer when many migrant species are returning, most noticeably the nesting carmine bee-eaters.