Sit on the deck, have a coffee, watch the vultures fly in or you may even be joined by baboons, but, to be perfectly honest, Senyati belongs to the elephants. During a good day more than 400 will come and go. To the right of the waterhole there's a massive elephant swimming pool. It's called a 'donga', a pool of mud where elephants bathe and socialise. Told you there was beauty in dirt!
In the summer, buffalo make some noise, turning up in herds often exceeding 300 or more. They jostle with the elephants over pole position at the waterhole. And the fun really starts, if the lion king turns up. Watch those buffaloes exit, sharp left. At night, you'll hear the sounds of the wild. Hyena shrieking, jackal calling.
By the way... you know you're about 20km from Chobe National Park? Yes, well, there are no fences between the Chobe and Senyati Safari Camp... we'll leave that with you.
Senyati Safari Camp has 8 self-catering chalets and 20 campsites. The chalets are fully equipped en suites. Each campsite has its own ablution block and 220V socket outlets. They're good but rustic so don't be alarmed if you're not glamping to your usual standard, this place wants to merge with the wild around it. And this is the only self-catering accommodation in the Chobe National Park.
The family chalets sleep four and are right in front of the waterhole. There are steep stairs to another level. Two three-quarter beds and two singles with mosquito nets. Electric fans, fridge/freezer, two plate stove, microwave, cutlery, crockery, kettle and toaster. They also have 220V three point plugs - adapters are available from reception. At the front of each chalet, facing the waterhole, there's your own braai area.
The double, twin chalets can accommodate up to ten people. Each chalet has two en-suite bedrooms with shower/toilet/basin suitable for couples, with extra beds in the living area suitable for young people or children. There's a large living/cooking area fully equipped with cutlery, crockery, pots, pans, fridge, toaster, two-plate stove, kettle, bedding. And each double twin chalet has its own private braai area.
The campsites have their own ablutions and garden views.
Braai; swimming pool; bar; free WiFi; no credit cards; parking; airport shuttle; laundry services
You can just stay put and experience the animals that visit the camp.
Regular daytime visitors include banded mongoose, warthogs, roan antelope, monkey baboons, sable, and the occasional leopard.
Then, as the sun sets, Senyati is transformed into a small Serengeti with yet more bustling buffalo, giraffe, oryx, hyena, wild dogs and lion. Then the elephants show up... the waterhole attracts about 400 per day during the dry season.
Stay at the bar. All night if you will and settle yourself down to watch the wild in front of you. The waterhole is lit by yellow flood lights.
If you're a bird watcher, December and January are the best months here. Apparently a particular fish eagle has made Senyati's waterhole his home too, so he's not shy to show himself off.
Now, if you want to go further afield, Senyati is only an hour-or-two drive from Victoria Falls and just a hop from Chobe National Park. The guys at the camp will help you plan trips including sunset cruises on the Chobe River, tiger fishing excursions, safari drives and Victoria Falls transfers.
