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Abu Private Reserve, Botswana
Exclusive. Wild. Okavango.
A journey through the wilderness on either an exclusive-use, totally private safari or a shared experience. Here you undertake a wild adventure between 2 camps on foot and game drives, or mokoro and helicopters.
DID YOU KNOW?
Beagle Expeditions is one of Botswana’s most authentic and private safari experiences. The only operator in a remote concession of the Abu Private Reserve allows for exclusive use of the entire area.
Located within an exclusive concession of the Abu Private Reserve, Beagle Expeditions explores a remote and little-visited corner of the western Okavango Delta. Access is by helicopter only, reinforcing the sense of distance and separation from the outside world that defines the experience.
This is a safari shaped by stillness and simplicity. With no mobile signal and few distractions, guests are encouraged to slow down, tune into the landscape and reconnect – with nature, with one another and often with themselves. Days are guided by walking safaris, mokoro journeys and quiet exploration, following an old-style safari rhythm that strips travel back to its essentials.
Each safari is tailored as far as possible to guest interests, while camp life remains intentionally uncomplicated. The camps are comfortable but unfussy, designed to avoid over-designed luxury and instead prioritise space, calm and immersion in the wilderness. Excellent food, fine wines and attentive service complement the experience without detracting from its core focus.
The journey is based across two camps, both available for exclusive use or shared experiences. With a maximum of 10 guests across approximately 30 000 hectares and only two vehicles operating in the concession, there is ample room to explore without feeling hurried or crowded. A typical four-night safari includes two nights at each camp, moving between them with the same dedicated guiding team for continuity and flow.
Beagle Expeditions is a small, family-run operation owned by Simon and Marleen Byron, who together bring more than 30 years of safari experience in Botswana. Based outside Maun and closely involved in every booking – often with Simon guiding – they offer a highly personal safari shaped by experience, integrity and a deep understanding of this remote part of the Delta.
Kweene Trails, Abu Private Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Minimum stay 4 nights.
From US$ 1 385 per person per night. Max 10 guests at any time between the 2 camps.
- SHARED SAFARI (Minimum 1 guest.)
- EXCLUSIVE USE (Minimum 4 guests.)
FLY: All access into and out of Kweene Trails is by helicopter transfer from Maun or other camps in the Delta.
Operates across approximately 30,000 hectares of exclusive wilderness within the Abu Private Reserve, with only Beagle Expeditions permitted along this section of the Kweene River system.
Shared Safaris: 12+ years
Exclusive Use: All ages welcome
Activities such as walking and mokoro: 12+ years
A classic Okavango expedition offering rare stillness and total disconnection, where days are shaped by walking safaris, mokoro journeys and remote exploration – an old-school safari that strips life back to what truly matters.
Exclusive wilderness for just 10 guests at a time in 30,000ha in the Delta. Vast and adventurous, this is a wildly immersive safari.
From bucket showers to fine wine, appreciate the simplicity of being connected to nature.
From helicopter safaris and game drives, to guided walking and mokoro floating, your guide crafts each day around your interests.
For families and friends, these seasonal camps are truly immersive and perfect for an adventure of a lifetime.
Two camps for a maximum of 10 guests across the vast 30,000-hectare concession, with a minimum stay of 4 nights.
Below is an outline of a typical 4 night stay.
DAY 1
Arriving by helicopter, guests enjoy a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, landing at Kweene Camp. The day includes an afternoon drive to get familiar with the area, followed by sundowners and dinner.
DAY 2
An optional morning scenic helicopter safari offers an aerial view of the Delta, with a breakfast picnic stop (additional cost). The rest of the day’s activities are flexible, dictated by wildlife and weather conditions, ensuring a personalised safari experience. The day includes walking, driving, and mokoro excursions.
DAY 3
Guests move between camps by vehicle, foot, or mokoro, enjoying a full day of exploration with a packed lunch and siesta. Arrive at Magwegwe Camp late afternoon and enjoy the solitude of the wilderness.
DAY 4
The Magwegwe area features beautiful floodplains, islands, and abundant wildlife. Activities include walking, driving, and mokoro excursions, with optional night drives for those seeking a nocturnal safari.
DAY 5
On the final day, guests enjoy a morning activity before helicopter transfer to the next camp or Maun for onward travel.
Bookings can be made by contacting the Beagle Expeditions reservations team.
Email: res@beagle-expeditions.com
Tel: +267 7262 5466
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Maun.
Arrive into Maun International Airport. From there, all access into and out of Kweene Trails is by private helicopter transfer.
From other camps in the Delta, heli access is also the only option.
Helicopter transfers in and out of Kweene Trails can be booked directly with reservations.
Amenities
- Two mobile camps (Kweene River Camp & Magwegwe Camp) located in the remote 30,000-hectare Abu Private Reserve, Western Okavango Delta.
- Tented “Explorer-style” Meru tents with mesh walls, ceiling fans, bedrolls on firm beds, en-suite composting loo and fire-heated bucket shower.
- Charming bush-camp main area with dining table, lounge cushions, tea/coffee station, bar, fire-pit under stars.
- Meals (all-inclusive: breakfast, lunch, dinner) and local drinks included.
- Laundry service included (limited).
- Solar-powered camp; no WiFi or mobile signal (disconnect from modern tech).
Activities (Included)
- Daily morning & afternoon game drives across the remote concession.
- Guided walking safaris (on foot) in pristine wilderness – no vehicle in large sections.
- Mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions in the floodplain waterways (seasonal).
- Full-day ’moving day’ expedition: combination of walk/drive/mokoro between the two camps with picnic lunch.
Additional Activities (Extra Cost)
- Helicopter scenic flights / aerial safari (doors-off) and heli transfer are surcharge options.
Simon Byron was born and raised in Botswana, while his wife Marleen is from South Africa. Together, they’ve built Beagle Expeditions around a long-term commitment to Botswana and its people.
The Beagle Expeditions team includes Motswana staff, and the company supports the development of local professional guides and career opportunities within the safari industry.
In the Okavango, conservation is closely connected to the people who live alongside this important ecosystem. The closest rural community to Kweene is Habu Village.
A US$100 per person per night Conservation Levy supports development projects in Habu Village and the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU), which protects the Abu Private Reserve.
- Anti-poaching: The APU is a collaboration between Beagle Expeditions, Singita, African Horseback Safaris and BushCraft, supporting wildlife protection in the Abu Private Reserve.
- Habu Village: The Conservation Levy contributes to development projects in Habu Village, Beagle Expeditions’ closest community.
- Education: In 2026, support is focused on improving infrastructure at Habu Primary School, following previous work to improve water distribution in the village.
- Local employment: Beagle Expeditions employs Motswana team members and supports the development of local professional guides.
Guests can also add an optional excursion to Habu Village, home to Wild Entrust and the Habu Elephant Development Trust. The visit includes the local school, a customary welcome from the village Chief, the Herding for Conservation programme in action, and the women’s cooperative vegetable farm, with a Wild Entrust coordinator on hand to explain current projects, and a stop at one of the Habu Conservancy water holes. This experience includes a US$1,000 per person conservation fee to the Wild Entrust Habu project.
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