Wilderness Savuti newsletter – November 2024

With the rain, the elephants that have been visiting the front of camp started moving to other water sources and puddles, though one or two were still seen coming to have a drink from our waterhole. 
The reduced movement of elephants created an opportunity for a lone hippo to move into the waterhole, and he is very much at home here now. 

Lions remained a constant around camp, making their presence felt at night with their thrilling calls. Guests had the amazing opportunity of seeing two kills by the Phuduhudu Pride from their night drives – one of a baby hippo, and another of a buffalo. This was followed by a morning of two more kills by the same pride of lions – a baby and mummy buffalo; all the kills were left not completely eaten and the scavengers took over. 

At the end of the month, a pack of wild dogs visited camp frequently, and were seen drinking water from the waterhole, and also on a successful impala kill.

Being summer and migratory bird season, we had a number of birders and photography-focused guests coming in to see what they could capture. They would leave pleased with the impressive variety of birds they spotted, from dazzling carmine bee-eaters and lilac breasted rollers to quietly dignified Verreaux’s eagle-owls, vivid (and strident) woodland kingfishers, and many others. There were outstanding sightings of carmine bee-eaters at Savuti’s sister camp King’s Pool, which guests were happy to drive across our Linyanti Wilderness Reserve to see, spending many special moments capturing their beauty.

While the wild dogs gave us a wonderful show, it was to an empty camp, as Savuti is now closed for a long-awaited rethatching project (which commenced towards the end of the month). We’re expected to be closed for at least two months, with the project target being to have all the rooms rethatched, as well as the main area, guest loo and Safari Boutique. It is an exciting project that will give Savuti a refreshed look in time for the next busy season, not to mention being prepared for the rainy season.

Even with the closure we had all the staff in camp to assist where needed, and we have seen an amazing spirit of teamwork and family. All the guys leave at 6 am with the guides to clear the roads, and the ladies work shifts to cater for all those in camp, including contractors. The afternoons end with great games of football and netball, also serving as practice for our upcoming Christmas party that will include games and competitions.

From the management team in November Wame Teko (Relief Food & Beverage Manager) went out on leave, while Simon Seyoka came back from leave. Remaining in camp were Kealeboga Udu Mozingwane, who is learning the works of the Safari Boutique, as she will be starting to assist with its operation, Kelebogile ‘Lebo’ Chibala and General Manager, Sasha Wright.

From the guiding team, Baleseng ‘Pro’ Monika was in camp for the month, Kevin Ramsden and Elvis Kenewendo were out on leave, and Emmanuel came in to assist from Linyanti Tented Camp, alongside Onkabetse ‘Onx’ Mothupi, who returned from leave.