Beagle Expeditions
Abu Private Reserve, Botswana
Exclusive access to 30 000 hectares of pristine Okavango Delta.
A journey through the wilderness on either an exclusive-use, totally private safari or a shared, set departure 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.
EXCLUSIVE. WILD. OKAVANGO
Located within an exclusive concession of Abu Private Reserve, Beagle Expeditions explores a wild and spectacular corner of the western Okavango Delta on their Kweene Trails. What makes this area so special is its remoteness and being accessible only by helicopter.Â
The core principle of each safari is to offer an authentic and genuine connection to the Botswana wilderness, tailoring each safari around guests’ interests as far as possible. The camp facilities are simple yet abundantly comfortable, crafted to remove the trappings of over-designed luxury and embrace the greatest luxury of all: to be wild and free. Each guest can also be assured of fantastic food with a carefully crafted focus on fine wines and premium beverages, topped off with great service and one of Botswana’s best guided safaris.
Beagle Expeditions offers two safari experiences. Firstly, an exclusive-use, truly private safari for a minimum of 4 guests (maximum of 10) and a minimum stay of 4 nights. Only 1 booking is taken at a time and the camp and concession are yours for maximum flexibility. The second offering is a ‘Shared Safari’ experience for 4 nights and run on set departure dates. With a maximum of 10 guests on each departure, these experiences are still intimate and authentic, but allow guests to connect with like-minded travellers.
Beagle Expeditions is a small, family-run business owned by Simon and Marleen Byron. Together they have more than 30 years of experience in the safari industry in Botswana, live outside Maun, are involved in every booking (in many cases guided by Simon), which together put Beagle Expeditions in a position to provide each guest with a phenomenal experience.
FAST FACTS
RATES
Kweene Trails:
US$ 1 385
per person per night
Minimum stay 4 nights
EXCLUSIVE USE requires a minimum of 4 guests.
Max 10 guests.
ACCESS
Fly:
All access into and out of Kweene Trails is by helicopter transfer from Maun or other camps in the Delta.
CHILDREN
Kweene Trails:
Exclusive Safari: All ages (Certain activities such as mokoro and walking have an age restriction of 12 years.)
Shared Safari: 12+ years
What we love
EXCLUSIVE WILDERNESS
A private concession of over 30,000 hectares (70,000 acres) in the Okavango Delta. Vast and adventurous, this is a wild and exclusive safari.
WILD & FREE
From helicopter safaris and game drives, to wild walking and mokoro floating, each day is different and exciting.
EXPERIENCE IS THE LUXURY
From bucket showers to fine wines, appreciate the simplicity of being connected to the wilderness.
MOMENTS OF CONNECTION
Book an exclusive-use safari with family and friends and enjoy the perfect setting for a safari adventure of a lifetime.
Beagle Expeditions
The impact of your stay
Simon Byron is Botswana born and bred and his wife Marleen hails from South Africa. They are fully committed to the future of Botswana.Â
In their camps, their team are all Motswana (members of the Tswana people, an ethnic group in southern Africa and citizens of Botswana) and they actively support the career path of local pro-guides.
In their wider area, conservation is about people rather than wildlife, and in the Okavango context this relates to people living a rural subsistence life adjacent to this incredible ecosystem. The closest rural community to Kweene live in the Habu village.
Every stay contributes through:
Beagle Expeditions contributes US$ 30 per guest, per night to the Wild Entrust.Â
The Wild Entrust was founded and is managed by Tico and Lesley McNutt, together they have been at the forefront of predator conservation in Botswana and have been intimately involved in the Okavango conservation story.Â
The Wild Entrust has been an incubator and facilitator of the Habu Conservancy created by the Habu Elephant Development Trust (HEDT). Wild Entrust and HEDT have several brilliant community conservation initiatives in and around the Habu Village which is the closest village to the Beagle Expedition operations.
Please check out www.wildentrust.org or feel free to contact Beagle Expeditions for more information.
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Beagle Expeditions
CAMPS
Positioned along the Kweene River system in the Western Okavango Delta.
ABU PRIVATE RESERVE
Kweene Trails
There is a minimum stay of 4 nights with 2 nights at each camp. Longer stays are encouraged.Â
Below is an outline of a typical 4 night stay.
DAY 1
Accessible only by helicopter, guests experience a breathtaking scenic helicopter flight over the dramatic Okavango Delta landscape, bringing them right onto the doorstep of this wild playground. Guests are welcomed by their private guide and the intimate expedition team, and become acquainted with their tent, private camp and the raw wilderness around.
From here the journey starts along the southern section of the Kweene River in the occasional swamp habitat at Kweene River Camp, an area that has an arid feel to the landscape. As these floodplains are inundated with water less frequently than that of the seasonal swamp, the grass species that dominate the floodplains are much more palatable and thus productive, supporting large herds of grazers and the predators that follow.
First day arrival usually has an afternoon drive to understand the lay of the land. Sundowners and back to camp for dinner.
DAY 2
The option for a morning scenic helicopter flying safari if the heli overnights after the drop-off. This epic aerial safari with the doors-off on the helicopter (seatbelts on) includes a breakfast picnic stop. This experience carries a cost surcharge.
Other then the optional heli scenic safari, the daily routine and safari schedule has a fluid structure, wholly dependent and dictated by the wildlife around, what is happening in the concession at the time of the expedition, the ever fluctuating water levels, the time of year, and of course the mood and capabilities of the group. The beauty of a private and intimate mobile camp is that each guest has total flexibility, steered by their private guide and his knowledge to provide the best experience possible.
Second day is a mixture of walking, driving and mokoro.
DAY 3
On the moving day between the two camps, guests cover the distance by vehicle, on foot or by mokoro; or by a combination of these. This is a full day of exploration out in the wilderness with a delicious packed lunch enjoyed during a restful siesta; while the back up team moves the camp and sets up for the afternoon arrival in the next location.
After an active day of safari activities, the late afternoon provides to relax in camp and soak up the luxury of solitude.
DAY 4
Further north up the Kweene River system is Magwegwe Camp (approx 15 km), which is situated in the seasonal swamp habitat. Here, the river receives water on a yearly basis with the inundation cycle of the annual Okavango flood dynamic. This section of the river is an exposé of exceptional Okavango Delta scenery and its wildlife; endless floodplains with well-wooded islands dotting the plains and all-year-round surface water drawing in an abundance of wildlife.
Fourth day is a mixture of walking, driving and mokoro. Night drives are also an option for those who would like a noctural safari.
DAY 5
Morning activity and the last chance to enjoy this wild wilderness before the heli arrival for the pick up and onward transfer to the next camp or back to Maun to connect with onward flight.
SEASONALITY:
- Exclusive Use – All year (closed 1 – 31 Jan 2024)
- Shared Safari – Set travel dates throughout year (refer to rate sheet for dates)
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CHILDREN:
- Exclusive Use – All ages (certain activities such as mokoro and walking have an age restriction of 12+ years).
- Shared Safari – 12+ Years
Exclusive Safari
4 - 6 tents
exclusive use OR SHARED SAFARI
Minimum 4 nights.
Shared Safari
4 - 6 tents
exclusive use OR SHARED SAFARI
Minimum 4 nights.
Beagle Expeditions
FEATURED OFFER
Kweene - Karangoma Combo
Explore the Okavango Delta on a 7+ night itinerary combining 4+ nights at Beagle Expeditions and 3+ nights at Wild Expeditions – Karangoma, and receive the direct helicopter flight between the two camps for free.
VALID: 1 May – 31 Dec 2024
Beagle Expeditions
featured journey
Safari from all angles
This ultimate combination of Botswana and Zimbabwe focuses on exceptional guiding and ample opportunity to get off the vehicle and explore.
Beagle Expeditions
location
Getting there
FLY
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.
location
Getting to Kweene Trails
FLY
The safari begins upon departure from Maun International Airport via private, scenic helicopter transfer to Kweene Trails in the pristine Abu Private Reserve, where you land directly at camp.