Belmond Safaris invited Mmegi’s intrepid traveller THALEFANG CHARLES* to their luxury camp in Savuti to catch up with the status of the world famous Savuti Marsh pride of lions and how they are doing after a long period without tourists
By THALEFANG CHARLES
The last time something extraordinary happened here was in 2011 when the Savuti channel was flooding after a long period of dryness. But guides in the Savuti are adamant, saying they had a sense that something was about to happen.
Throughout the years, events of Savuti have made amazing legends that were told to the world through incredible nature documentaries. From the intermittent flooding of the mystic Savuti Channel to the unbelievable fishing leopards and extremely successful pride of lions, Savuti, is a place of wonder. Located on the western-end of Chobe Game Reserve, on the flood plains of the endless marsh, overlooked by a white sand ridge, dotted with small hills, this is a place of remarkable legends.
The marsh is where the river, during the years that it magically floods, empties the waters from Kwando and Linyanti. These are the floodplains of the nutritious grasslands that feed hundreds of thousands of migrating zebras, wildebeests, kudus, impalas, warthogs and incredible birdlife. There are so many Kori Bustards – Botswana’s National Bird – and other families of large birds, including marabou storks, cranes, eagles, secretary birds and ostriches.
Large herds of elephants, buffalos, and giraffes are all found in Savuti. And with all that plentiful game, the place attracts lots of predators. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs roam the place.
Back in the 1980s, the Savuti Marsh pride of lions earned worldwide fame because of their ability to hunt elephants. The 1980s vicious pride boasted of more than 40 lions. It had some of the world’s most wild efficient killing machines. But one day the kingdom crumbled.
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