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 airy and spacious meru tents, with clear mesh that opens the tent up completely to the surrounding bush, immersing you in nature. Bedrolls are laid out on firm camp beds and made up with fine Egyptian cotton linen. The main tent includes a hanging wardrobe to unpack your belongings into and has its own en-suite bathroom with a bucket shower (for hot or cold showers), a compost loo and all the necessary amenities to ensure comfort and privacy.
The main area is simple and yet comfortably charming. Comprising a dining table and camp chairs; a carpeted chill-corner scattered with cushions; a coffee and tea station; a bar with plenty of ice; and of course a fire at night and in the early morning! This is all set up by the backup team under the African sky and open to the surrounding wilderness and the wildlife that inhabits it.
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.
You will love
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A rare concept in the modern world
- Private safaris for groups/families
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Exclusive and highly sought after
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Excellent wildlife sightings
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Exploratory style with no set itinerary
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY - OKAVANGO DELTA
Please Note:
The unique joy of this itinerary is the fact that there are no set dates. All expeditions are carefully designed around local weather conditions, water levels and wildlife movements to maximise 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
Please enquire for pricing
Start: Okavango Delta, Botswana
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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
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
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.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
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.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
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.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
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
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
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
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
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
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.
Paul Cozzi
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
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
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
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
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 wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
