Beagle Expeditions

Okavango Delta, Botswana

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.

You will love

  • A rare concept in the modern world
  • Private safaris for groups/families
  • Exclusive and highly sought after
  • Excellent wildlife sightings
  • Exploratory style with no set itinerary

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.

NEED TO KNOW

Safaris with Beagle Expeditions are all individually tailormade

Safaris with Beagle Expeditions are all individually tailormade

Please enquire for pricing

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

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

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Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

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If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

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It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing.  We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

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Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

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