Chobe National Park

Savute Elephant Lodge

A Belmond hotel. Rialto is a Belmond Bellini Club agency and can provide VIP access and offers.

Perched on the banks of the Savute Channel, Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge is a spectacular base from which to explore the area. Drama unfolds here daily, with interactions between the high concentrations of elephants, the large lion prides and the many hyenas that inhabit the area. Savute is also unrivaled for its sightings of excellent predator and prey interaction during the drier months of August through October, and should be included on any Southern Africa safari.

Savute Channel, 00000 Chobe National Park, Botswana

About Savute Elephant Lodge

Insider tip

The unpredictable Savute Channel dries up from time to time, but the permanent watering hole attracts large volumes of elephants and wildlife to the lodge.

In the hotel’s own words

In the heart of the Chobe National Park, sometimes referred to as the elephant capital of the world, is the Savute- an area that personifies the eternal contrast of Africa.Perched on the former banks of the now dry Savute Channel, the Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge offers a spectacular bird’s eye view of elephant in their natural habitat.The Savute is a dramatic area which is home to high concentrations of elephant and lions.Prides up to 40 strong are not uncommon, as are sighting of all the other major predators; the endangered wild dog, leopard, cheetah and the hyena.Savute is also renowned for its excellent birding during the summer months (December through March), as well as being home to some very rare rock paintings drawn by the early San Bushmen, who once inhabited the region.

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Savute Elephant Lodge is accessible by scheduled air from Johannesburg and Cape Town via Maun. Access from Livingstone (Zambia), Victoria Falls (Zimababwe), via Kasane (Botswana) is also possible.

Situated in the arid Savute area, Savute Elephant Lodge offers an oasis type setting in complete luxury. All luxury rooms are housed on raised wooden platforms, offering great views, and shaded by a traditional African thatch roof.The large private decks are furnished with easy chairs and a hammock, ideal for viewing wildlife, or for enjoying a private dinner in complete privacy.The tent interiors are luxuriously appointed with such comforts as an en suite bathroom, private fully stocked mini bar, four poster bed complete with mosquito netting, as well as a discreet air conditioning.The 12 twin-bedded luxury canvas rooms, recently placed under thatch, that are perfectly suited to the desert air feature lavishly appointed ensuite bathrooms and dressing areas.They also have private viewing decks and comfortable outdoor lounges overlooking the Channel.For your convenience, in-room safes are provided for the safekeeping of all cash, travel documents and other articles.

Enjoy a relaxed meal overlooking the stunning Savute channel in our raised restaurant. Gazing over the channel which is home to one of Africa’s largest elephant population you will be treated to delicious cuisine created by our skilled in house chefs.Throughout the day you will be able to relax is in the quiet atmosphere of the lounge sampling exotic treats or simply sitting back with a cup of tea taking in the remote landscape.Our skilled chefs are always on hand to prepare light meals or snakes for the game drives through the Chobe National park.In the evenings we will prepare the camp fire and let you experience a sky untainted by unnatural light.Of course we also have a full stocked bar that is available at your convenience.

A dining experience second to none in a traditional Boma, best translated as a traditional meeting place, where senior tribe/community members would get together for the "Kgotla" or meeting. Typically traditional food dishes would be served during or after these get-togethers in the Boma.The Boma had two entrances, one more hidden than the other to ensure the safe passage of tribe elders or the chief should any threat arise. The Boma offers spectacular vistas of the African night skies, through the silhouettes of Camel Thorn trees and Acacia nigrescens, which have been incorporated into the design.

Dining in the Savute Boma will, without a doubt, bring you closer to nature within the heart of a true bush environment.

Savute Elephant Lodge is pleased to offer our guests a range of facilities including a swimming pool built slightly into the riverbed, private outdoor leisure area, electric overhead fans, mini bars, in-room safes, illuminated pathways, slide projector and screen, satellite phones on request, telescopes, laundry, Curio shops with toiletries, video and 35mm film, safari wear, local art and craft objects, reference library of books and videos, audio-visual facilities, first aid kit, VHF radio communications plus 24 hour emergency facilities, environmental flora and fauna check lists, talks and lectures, emergency medical evacuation service, and more.

Savute Elephant Lodge promises outstanding game viewing without having to leave the confines of the camp itself, so prevalent is the wildlife around the water hole.When you do venture out, in open 4x4 vehicles, the there are excellent opportunities to see wildlife on the now dry Savute Marsh, which is also home to the Zebra migration during the months of February and October. In addition to the game drives, excursions can be arranged to see the historic San rock paintings in the hills or the ancient Gametrackers Baobabs.Our camp offers game viewing activities in the morning and late afternoons. These activities take place on our safari viewing vehicle, designed for your comfort and safety. Activities are restricted to set regulations as the camp is within a national park.

VIP Hotel Program · Invitation-only

Belmond Bellini Club benefits, included

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Belmond Bellini Club is Belmond's invitation-only VIP program, open to a small group of luxury travel agencies. VIP rates generally meet or beat the hotel's website rates and include the amenities below.

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • $100-220 hotel credit per stay
  • Room upgrade on arrival, based on availability
  • Welcome amenity

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Rooms and suites

1 room type, as described by the hotel.
Villas
1Luxury Tented Rooms
All tented rooms, recently refurbished, are housed on raised wooden platforms, offering great views and are shaded by a traditional African thatch roof. The large private decks are furnished with easy chairs and a day bed, ideal for viewing wildlife or for enjoying a dinner in complete privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does booking through Rialto cost more than booking with the hotel?

No - VIP rates under Belmond Bellini Club always meet or beat hotel's public, flexible rate, and provide valuable amenities and possible upgrades. Rialto also provides the hotel's non-VIP and corporate rates, so you can compare with full transparency.

What is the value of the VIP benefits?

Daily breakfast for two plus the $100-220 hotel credit come with every stay at this hotel - adding $100-200/day in value. A room upgrade could also be worth a substantial amount, in addition to early check-in / late check-out benefits when available.

How does this compare to other programs, like through AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts, or Chase Edit?

Using a hotel's own VIP program may provide higher upgrade priority, additional VIP benefits and promotional rate offers, and a direct relationship with the hotel for special requests. Rialto offers more VIP hotels than any credit card program. In addition, Chase Edit rates can be substantially more expensive as they rarely run promotions whereas AMEX rates are often comparable but do not offer programs such as Upgrade at Booking.

Can my AI assistant book this hotel?

Yes. Connect Rialto to Claude or ChatGPT and ask for rates. You finish the booking on a secure Rialto page. Card details are not sent through the AI chat, so either you would approve the final checkout step and reconfirm all the information, or if you authorize your agent with Computer-Use permissions, it can fill out the checkout form as well.

Rates are shown to members

Rialto is invitation-only. Apply for access and hear back within 24 hours.