Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Paintings' off the main track and again at the parking place. The western edge of Gobabis
Hill is guarded by a fine baobab, which is visible from the main track.
SAVUTI: LION VERSUS ELEPHANT
Reports of lions preying on elephants have for decades emerged from the Botswana wilds, but because most at-
tacks took place at night in national parks where night driving was prohibited, no one could say for sure. That was
until the early 1990s when film-makers Dereck and Beverley Joubert finally captured on film one of wild Africa's
most epic contests. The resulting documentary
Ultimate Enemies
, which was filmed in the Savuti region of Bot-
swana's Chobe National Park, is as confronting as it is extraordinary.
Male lions weigh on average 190kg, while females weigh 126kg. Although there have been isolated cases of
large lion prides killing rhinos or hippos, the preferred prey size of lions is on average around 350kg. Elephants,
on the other hand, weigh between 4 and 6 tonnes. When lions kill elephants, it the largest predator-to-prey weight
ratio known among terrestrial mammals. Taking place in the dry season of August to November (with a peak in
October), the hunts observed by the Jouberts were only successful at night, and only when less than five elephants
and 27 or more lions were present (the pride's overall size was 30). Surprisingly, no infant elephants were killed
by lions, probably due to high levels of maternal vigilance and protection - most lions killed were between four
and 11 years old.
Reports of lions attacking elephants have tapered off somewhat in recent years as the pride filmed by the
Jouberts has divided and groups have gone their separate ways. But the reputation for strength and ferocity that
these exploits have earned the lions of Savuti remains very much in place.
Sleeping
Savuti offers that typical Botswana juxtaposition of luxurious tented camps alongside sim-
pler riverside campsites, in the process offering options at both extremes of the pricing
spectrum.
Savuti Campsite $
Offline map
(sklcamps.com; GPS: S 18°34.014', E 24°03.905'; campsite per adult/child US$50/20)
One of the best campsites in northern Botswana, five of the seven sites overlook the river
- sites one to four could do with a little more shade but are otherwise lovely, while
Paradise camp is our pick. The ablutions block has sit-down flush toilets,
braai
pits and
showers (usually hot). Be careful of wandering baboons and elephants; the old Savuti
Camp Site nearby was destroyed by thirsty elephants!
CAMPGROUND
