Savuti in the Chobi National Park

Following a late breakfast and packing we took another nature walk on our way to the airstrip since we fly out to Savuti in the Chobi National Park, a 45 minute flight north and east of the Okavango Delta. 

 During the walk we were shown tracks of hyena, leopard, hippo, civet and spotted Genet. We saw an African Hoopoe bird, stripped kingfisher and baboons. The flora along our path was Elephant ear plant, mother-in-laws-tongue that has a sap used for ear aches, fever berry bark thats used as a poison to catch fish but also, due to its tanins, heals wounds on horses and has quinine for malaria.

After landing in Savuti we spotted zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, Impala and a Bateleur eagle as we drove to our campsite. We’ll be here two nights.

The evening game drive took us to the former marsh land that is now a savanna full of grass and wildlife. The Chobi Park is much different than Moremi since it is much drier and doesn’t have much in the way of water supplies. It is also twice as big. The government has drilled several wells that supply manmade watering holes for the animals. A lot of the animals migrate to this part of Chobi because there is more space, greener grass, and less competition for territory than in the northern parts of the park during this time of year. When it drys up in July they will go back.

We spotted a Steen Buck, a very small, shy antelope about 1 meter tall with short pointed horns. And because it is shy it is not often seen. We also encountered a small herd of elephant, bee eaters, and a wattled starling.

Then the most amazing site! Zebras for as far as the eye can see! Some are around watering holes but the rest are just everywhere! We estimate over 1000 in this area alone. They migrate here to eat the green grass then will head back north in June and July. Jack has an eagle eye and spotted 6 Eland which Stanley said were just beginning to appear in the Chobi. He was very excited to see them so we tried to get closer but they kept moving away. Eland are the largest of the antelope family with a body like an African Brama bull and long straight horns.

The Kouri busterbird was along the road. This is an endangered species that is the size of a turkey with a long neck, wide body and a head shaped like a roadrunner’s.

It was a long drive back to camp but worth it because we got to see a hyena family right at dusk when they are the most active. Mom was nursing 3 babies and dad was keeping as eye on junior as they lounged right next to our Jeep. At one point we thought curious dad was going to jump into the car with us!!