Senyati offers an excellent basecamp for people who do not want to stay in Chobe National Park. Senyati Safari Camp is located only 20 km from the main gate of Chobe National Park in the Elephant Corridor leading to Zimbabwe. Although Senyati Safari Camp is very private, the waterhole knows no privacy.
The waterhole is well lit through the night with a spotlight and guests can enjoy viewing animals during the whole evening. A well-stocked bar has given Senyati the reputation as the place with the bar with the best view in the world.
Free internet is provided to all guests from the viewing deck. A variety of animals come and go throughout the day. The waterhole is frequented by a good variety of species such as hyena, banded mongoose, warthogs, roan antelope, monkey baboons, buffalo, sable, elephants and the occasional leopard. During summer months buffalo herds easily exceed 300 in number and it is not uncommon to see buffalo and elephants competing for position at the waterhole. Should the king of the wild make an appearance, lion of course, the buffalo make a hasty retreat. It is a possibility that visitors have the ultimate experience of watching the king of the wild quench his thirst at the waterhole along with the regulars — the elephants. It not uncommon to see as many as 400 elephants at Senyati during October and November. Senyati is located just off the Nata Kazangula road in the Lesoma Valley right in the Elephant Corridor between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Senyati has 19 campsites, each equipped with an electric point, private shower, toilet and cooking area. Furthermore, Senyati is famous for the elephant hide from which professional as well as amateur photographers can take photos of elephants from ground level from a very close distance where you can see the animals from very closely, but the animals cannot see the photographer. Senyati offers free Satellite Wi-Fi to all guests. From 5pm to 9pm Senyati also has a gift shop with local curious as well as day-to-day necessities. The chalets are self-catering equipped with a fridge with a small freezer, stove, microwave, kettle, toaster, cutlery and crockery. Chalets are cleaned on a daily basis and are all located around the waterhole.
Chalets
(All Chalets are located around the waterhole area and have their own BBQ)
What do your chalets include?
Senyati’s chalets are spacious, equipped with cutlery, crockery, glasses, kettle, toaster, induction stove, fridge, air-conditioned(s)/fan, mosquito nets, 220V electric plugs, bedding, flushing toilet with toilet paper, hot water, braai area, chairs, tables and each chalet has a BBQ area right in front of the chalet. Wood and meat is for sale at reception.
Family Chalet (there are 3 units)
A family chalet consists of a unit which is ideally designed for a family, parents and 2 kids. Our family chalets have the extra two beds on a mezzanine floor. This is also suitable for two couples who are comfortable with each other as the second sleeping area is not enclosed. Also, if you are not fit and cannot climb steep stairs then you will not be able to sleep on the mezzanine area. There is one bathroom in each family unit.
Family Chalet with Double Bed (We only have 1 of these chalets)
This family unit has a double bed and 2 x ¾ beds in one open plan sleeping/ living area. The kitchenette is separate from the sleeping area, and it has a lovely big tree under which the braai stand is situated. It is located towards the middle of the property with a partial view of both the waterhole and the pan.
Double Chalet (there is 1 unit)
This unite has a unique view of the waterhole. It can sleep 4 and is best suited for a family. It has 1 double bed and 2 ¾ beds, all on one level. It is an open pan sleeping room with an en-suite bathroom. Outside next to the chalet there is a Bush Bath. Perfect for Honeymooners
Double Twin Chalet (We only have 2 that can sleep 10 each and 1 that can sleep 6)
These chalets are huge. They can sleep a max of 10 people and have two main bedrooms with 2 x ¾ beds inside and 2 single beds. The other beds are on the closed veranda. This chalet has a huge living dining area and is suitable for families who want to spend a holiday together.
Camping sites
Each campsite has its own private ablutions and power points (220v electric plugs), shower, toilet. Wood and meat are for sale at reception. Groups are allocated. Depending on the size of the group and the availability of campsites. Each campsite also has their own BBQ/Braai stand. You will need to bring your own equipment (Tents, Pots and Pans Etc.) We do not put toilet paper at the campsites. If you need toilet paper, kindly ask at reception. It is for free. If your campsites are infested with ants, please ask for ant poison at reception. It is for free
Electric Points: Available at all campsites (220v electric plugs).
Hot Water Boilers at Campsites: Staff arrive at 7.30 am and will start to make the morning fires. Should you wish to make your own hot water earlier, kindly do so. Please make a small fire as big fires destroy our boilers and can be dangerous.
Fire wood?
Wood is sold at reception. It is illegal to collect firewood in Botswana from the side of the road and there are officials who control is, so please refrain from doing so and if caught, you might find yourself in trouble.
Fuel/Petrol/Gasoline
All fuel originates from the South African refineries and is usually a little cheaper than in sunny South Africa.
There is no fuel available in Chobe National Park. Make sure you fill up before departure to go to or from Chobe National Park.
Kasane is your last place to refuel if you go to Moremi, Savuti etc. but then one does not use as much petrol as you imagine, as you do not drive that far. You drive long hours, but small distances. If you are going into Savuti and Moremi, it is advised that you take an extra Jerry can.
Fuel can be bought by credit card in most main towns, but cash is always the best.
No "Petrol Cards" or "Garage Cards" are accepted.
Gifts:
African gifts are available in our gift shop, Elephantastic, located at the Reception Area of Senyati.
Groceries: There is a lovely Spar in Kasane, which stocks just about everything, huge Choppies very close to Senyati (about 6km away), a fantastic Chemist in town, so just pack yourselves and come! Not necessary to stop in Francistown etc. for groceries.
How long do people stay at Senyati?
Most people stay for a minimum of 3 days. One day the day they arrive, then the next day they do a Vic Falls Transfer and the next day they go on a Chobe River cruise and then depart the next day, so a total of 3 days is recommended, but of course it depends on the need of the tourist. A fourth day can be used for a Safari drive; however, the safari drive can be combined on one day with the boat cruise. The Victoria Falls trip is an entire day trip so don’t plan anything else on that day.
Ice: Ice is available from reception.
Internet (Wi-Fi) from 5pm to 9 pm. Only for Guest staying at Senyati. Kindly ask for the password. Wi-Fi is available from the deck only.
Kids
Kids are welcome, but we ask parents to contain their kids as most of our clients visit Senyati because of their love for animals. Please see that your kids remain quiet on the deck. Your kids can play and enjoy the pool. Kids should not be unattended at pool PLEASE KEEP YOUR KIDS AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC FENCING around the pool. Senyati will not take responsibility for any injury Parents are expected to look after their kids.
We recommend that you take your kids on a Chobe Boat cruise, which is wonderful, and to the crocodile farm in Kazungula. More information on that in this pamphlet. Or ask for details at reception when you are here. Kids enjoy playing in the sand at Senyati and are welcome to do so.
No kids are allowed into the hide without their parents. We ask for absolute silence in the hide. Senyati welcomes everyone; however, Senyati cannot take responsibility for the safety of kids if people do not look after their own kids.
But, yes, we welcome well behaved, nature loving, sweet kids as much as we love our elephants.
Senyati can be accessed by 4x4 from the Senyati sign on the Nata-Kazangula Road, however, campers who have only 2x4 transport can email Senyati for directions to an alternative route.
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