The well-known Savute Game Reserve which lies south of Linyanti in the western region of Botswana's Chobe National Park, is recognised as one of Africa's best game viewing destinations. The reserve covers a total surface area of 5,000 km, and is home to Africa's "Big Five" - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant.

Although Savute (also spelt Savuti) is an arid, almost semi-desert like area, both Chobe and Savute have gained a good reputation for their abundance of wildlife. Visitors to the area are encouraged to make their way there during the drier winter months, when game tend to gather around the watering holes. Game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles are conducted in Savute, and include trips to the Savute Marsh, and Gubatsa Hills.

Towards the end of each year, during the rainy season, thousands of zebra migrate from the Linyanti in the north and move southwards through Savuti to the grasslands of the Mababe Depression. The massive herds of game usually bring with them large numbers of predators such as lion and cheetah. Large herds of elephant congregating near waterholes at sunset, also provide visitors with brilliant photographic opportunities.

Other species which are sighted in the reserve include cheetah, leopard, hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox, giraffe, impala, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland. The reserve is also home to the endangered wild dog, which has been the focus of much research in the region in recent years.

Savuti's diverse list of bird species allow for exceptional bird watching, as do most conservation areas in Botswana. The reserve is well known for the elegant secretary birds which are often seen along the Savuti Marsh, scanning for food alongside such species as Kori Bustards. Small redbilled francolins are also well know in the region, and noted for their noisy calls in the early morning.

Various migratory species make their way to Savute in summer, inclukding Abdim's Storks, fish eagles, and Carmine bee-eaters. A highlight for keen birders are the small quelea finches which frequent the the reserve in early winter. Their enormous flocks, often containing tens of thousands of birds, along with their twittering, create an unforgettable spectacle for visitors to behold.

Much of Savute was once underwater, covered by a massive lake. The western edge of the reserve is flanked by the Magwikhwe Sand Ridge. The ridge is 100 km long, and 20m high, which once formed the shoreline of an enormous lake that once covered most of Northern Botswana.

The erratic Savute channel also runs through the reserve and feeds the Savute Marsh. The channel tends to flood in summer and dry up in winter. but the channel has also been known to stop flowing for long periods, and then curiously begin flowing again. One theory is that the unpredictable nature of the channel is a result of tectonic activity in the area. But whatever the cause,  the irregular water supply results in hundreds of dead trees lining the banks of the channel.

Another interesting geological feature in the Savuti are the Gubatsa Hills, formed approximately 1 billion years ago by volcanic activity. Today a series of striking rocky dolomite outcrops rising as high as 90m, protrude out of an otherwise flat and featureless landscape. Gubatsa Hills are also home to a number of ancient San rock paintings.