Botswana Safari - Beagle Expeditions - The Classic Safari Company

Exploratory mobile safaris

Beagle Expeditions is a small, intimate, family run outfit owned by Simon and Marleen Byron. Together they have more than 25 years of experience in the safari industry and facilitate exploratory style mobile safaris through the wildest reaches of Botswana – through the Okavango Delta and beyond. With an availability of only 100 days per year (roughly ten expeditions), and trips available only to private groups and/or families, safaris with Beagle Expeditions are exclusive and highly sought after. There are no set itineraries and the day’s activities are determined by weather patterns, flood levels and each individual’s interests and requirements.

Driven by the urge to explore some of Botswana’s lesser known gems, Beagle Expeditions have designed a lightweight expedition style camp that allows guests to reach remote regions completely untouched by tourism. The tents are spacious 3m X 3m dome tents with ample lighting at night and bedrolls are laid out on the ground and made up with fine Egyptian cotton linen to provide comfort and warmth. There is one ablution unit per 2 tents (4 guests), each with its own private bucket shower (for hot showers) and a loo with a view. The mess area consists of a simple dining table, camp chairs, coffee and tea station, bar and of course a fire at night and in the early morning, all set up by the backup team under the African sky and open to the surrounding wilderness.

When it comes to dining the key focus is on fresh, healthy food all cooked on an open fire. The menu changes with the seasons and depends entirely on what is fresh and available in Maun. The chefs are masters of their trade and you will be astonished by the variety and quality of the food produced from the simple bush kitchen. Needless to say, meals are rounded off with some of South Africa’s top wines.

With no mass tourism, no rigidity and absolutely no compromise on the wildlife experience, an expedition with Beagle is a rare and highly exclusive way to travel in the modern world.

EXAMPLE ITINERARY - OKAVANGO DELTA

Please Note:

The unique joy of Beagle Expeditions is the fact that there are no set itineraries. All expeditions are carefully designed around local weather conditions, water levels and wildlife movements to maximize the safari experience. The following is an indicative example only. Please contact us for further details on what to expect and your very own tailormade adventure.

EXAMPLE ITINERARY | KWEENE TRAILS - OKAVANGO DELTA

DAY 1-2

Your journey starts along the Southern section of the Kweene River in the occasional swamp habitat that has a much more arid feel to the landscape. However, as the floodplains are inundated with water less frequently than 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.

DAY 3 | MOVING DAY

On moving day you will cover the distance between the two camps either by foot or mokoro or a combination of the two. This is a full day out in the wilderness, while your back up team moves the camp and sets up for your afternoon arrival in the new camp.

DAY 4-5

Next, your journey moves further North up the Kweene River system into the seasonal swamp habitat; here the river receives water – normally – on a yearly basis with the inundation cycle of the annual Okavango flood dynamic. This section of the river is an expose of exceptional Okavango Delta scenery and its wildlife; endless floodplains with well-wooded islands dotting the plains and year-round surface water drawing in an abundance of wildlife.

DAY 4-5 | continued

Beagle Expeditions have sensitively developed a limited game drive network to preserve the wild and untouched beauty of this remarkable landscape but also explore the dry land habitat adjacent to the Kweene River floodplains by vehicle.

Because walking through pristine wilderness that has no sign of a human footprint remains one of Kweene’s key ingredients, Beagle Expeditions have left a vast portion of the area inaccessible to any motorised transport. Here you can experience the safari experience of old: walking through wildest Africa.

DAY 6

Your safari will draw to a close and you will be transferred to a location from which to continue with your onward arrangements.

Included Activities

Activities included comprise of game drives, walking in unrivalled pristine walking country and mokoro (canoe) excursions when water level permits.

Optional Activities

Helicopter excursion to Tsodilo Hills – Botswana’s 1st UNESCO World Heritage site | Conservation, anti-poaching & monitoring flights over the western Okavango Delta boundary | “Life with Elephants” educational & cultural tour in partnership with EcoExist, conducted from the village of Beetsha, showcasing rural Batswana life and the challenges and responsibilities they face living adjacent to a wildlife haven | Scenic ﬂight over the famous Chief’s Island in search of rhino.

Enquire

NEED TO KNOW

Safaris with Beagle Expeditions are all individually tailormade

Please enquire for pricing

START: Okavango Delta, Botswana | Finish: Okavango Delta, Botswana

All itineraries are private for groups/families
All expeditions are privately guided
Season runs April to December
Minimum 4 nights
No minimum age on safari but children must be 12 years old to participate in certain activities (e.g. mokoro canoes).
Minimum 4 / maximum 10 guests on most departures. Up to 14 guests may be accomodated in some circumstances.
No single supplement but availability may be limited by tent logistics.
Flights and insurance on request
Please contact us for pricing, dates and a full itinerary

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