Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge sits on the Savute Channel in a remote corner of Chobe National Park, Botswana's first national park. The area has been inhabited for millennia — San Bushmen rock paintings in the vicinity date back over 2,000 years — and the channel itself is named from a Setswana word meaning "unpredictable": it ran completely dry for decades after Chobe's proclamation in the 1960s before mysteriously resuming flow in 2008. The lodge was acquired by Orient-Express Hotels in 1992, originally operating as Gametrackers, and took its current name when the parent company rebranded as Belmond Ltd. in 2014.

Accommodation comprises 12 luxury tented rooms of 50 square metres each, raised on bamboo platforms with traditional thatched roofing, each with a four-poster bed and a fully appointed bathroom, sleeping up to two guests. A permanent waterhole sits directly in front of the lodge, drawing wildlife — this is one of the best-known elephant destinations in Africa, with concentrations reported as high as several thousand animals passing through the wider area. Guests take a minimum of two included game-viewing activities daily, plus cultural activities exploring local folklore and rock art, with helicopter safaris also available. Facilities include a spa tent, heated swimming pool, boutique, reference library, and a waterhole-facing lookout hide, alongside a restaurant, bar, and campfire and bush dining; all meals and beverages are included.

Savute Elephant Lodge holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor from 208 reviews, ranked #19 of 62 specialty lodging in Chobe National Park. Reviewers consistently highlight the elephant sightings at the waterhole, individually-named guides praised repeatedly across reviews, and the spa and dining experience. A single 2022 review citing air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and power issues drew a management response noting the solar array and internet capacity have since been substantially expanded.

At a Glance - Location: Savute Channel, Chobe National Park, Botswana - Accommodation: 12 luxury tented rooms on raised bamboo platforms - Room Size: 50 sqm per room - Capacity: Up to 2 guests per room (24 guests total) - Operator/Group: Belmond Ltd. (Belmond Safaris); acquired by Orient-Express Hotels in 1992 (formerly Gametrackers) - History: Savute Channel dry for decades post-1960s, resumed flowing in 2008; San rock art over 2,000 years old nearby - Activities Included: Minimum 2 daily — game drives & cultural activities (helicopter safaris available at extra cost) - Access: Private airstrip — approx. 50 min flight from Maun, 40 min from Kasane, 45 min from Belmond Eagle Island Lodge - Meal Basis: Fully inclusive — all meals and beverages included - TripAdvisor Rating: 4.7/5 from 208 reviews — #19 of 62 specialty lodging, Chobe National Park