Savute Safari Lodge is located in a far off corner of Chobe National Park between the Savuti and Linyanti Private Concessions. This was my first lodge in a publicly protected area and the experience was quite a bit different than in a private concession. In private concessions, local communities actually own the land and give companies 15 year leases to operate on them. There aren't a ton of restrictions -- you can drive off road to follow game, go on game drives at night and spent as much time at sightings as you want. As these are private concessions, there are a limited number of lodges operating on them and no vehicles on the roads other than those operating at the lodges. The downside of private concessions is seen from above: the network of dirt roads criss-crossing the landscape --- cutting up habitat. There are so many, it's shocking to see from above.
In National Parks and other public protected areas, you can't drive off the roads in order to follow game. That might mean that you've been dying to get a shot of a cheetah, but you glimpse one crossing a road from 50 feet away and it's gone in a flash. The experience I had at Vumubura would have been far different had we not be able to drive off road. Animals are active at dusk and dawn, but you can't go on game drives before sunrise or after sunset in public protected areas, which means that you are often hustling back to the lodge just when the game comes out. Probably the biggest difference I felt was the lack of seclusion. These are public areas with roads running through them -- that means you'll get self-drivers, mobile safari operators, and vehicles from the other lodges all on the roads.
It took me most of the trip to realize that both private concessions and publicly protected areas are needed to serve the conservation needs of Botswana. They serve different purposes, both from a wildlife conservation perspective and and from a social perspective. Most people can't afford the nightly rate at a lodge in a concession (think $2,000 per person per night in peak season). Even the mid-range lodges in public areas go for $1,000 per person per night in peak season. Without having the access to self-drivers and mobile safaris, Botswana would become off limits to most of the world's travelers.
I was impressed with the ability of our guide at Savute Safari Lodge to take us places where other vehicles were rare. We had a great sighting of the lion pride, found ostrich, zebra, elephants, hyena, cape buffalo and wildebeast. The lodge is located around an AMAZING watering hole -- you can see elephants right from camp (see overexposed photo below). The swimming pool is being moved down closer to the watering hole, which will be a fantastic way to spend siesta time.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
