Beagle Expeditions (Kweene Trails)

Beagle Expeditions — also known as Kweene Trails — is a small, owner-run private mobile safari outfit founded by husband-and-wife team Simon and Marleen Byron, who together bring over 30 years of Botswana safari experience. Simon, a Condé Nast Traveller-listed top-25 safari guide, deliberately limits operations to around 100 safari days (roughly 10 expeditions) a year to protect quality over volume. Beagle holds exclusive rights to operate mobile expeditions in the pristine southern section of the Abu private concession (NG26) — genuinely remote, off the beaten track, and unusual among Botswana mobile safaris for being outside a national park, meaning no restrictions on off-roading, night drives or walking, and no other visitors in the area. Access is by helicopter only, given the limited road network. Trips are entirely private, sole-use and tailor-made, moving guests between two seasonal camps on the Kweene River system — Kweene River Camp in the south and Magwegwe Camp further north — connected by a full day of exploration on the move.

The camp is intentionally simple but comfortable — 'simplistic luxury.' Guests stay in spacious walk-in Meru-style tents with clear mesh panels opening onto the bush, camp beds made up with Egyptian cotton linen, a hanging wardrobe, and an en-suite area with a bucket shower (hot or cold) and a compost loo. The shared main area is a carpeted chill-corner, dining table, bar and fire pit, fully open to the surrounding wilderness. Dining is built around fresh, seasonal, open-fire cooking by chef Mwinga, paired with a curated South African wine list and a boutique spirits selection. There is no air conditioning and no Wi-Fi.

Activities are led by walking safaris — Beagle's core focus — alongside 4x4 game drives (including night drives), mokoro excursions (roughly May–August, water dependent), and optional helicopter add-ons for scenic flights or multi-day exploration further afield. Beagle contributes 300 BWP per guest per night to the Wild Entrust, a predator-conservation organisation founded by Tico and Lesley McNutt that has also incubated the Habu Conservancy near the operation's closest village, Habu.

At a Glance - Property type: Small, owner-run, fully private/sole-use mobile safari operator (Kweene Trails) — NOT a fixed camp; exclusive operating rights in the Abu private concession (NG26) - Rooms: Two seasonal mobile camps on the Kweene River system (Kweene River Camp, Magwegwe Camp); spacious walk-in Meru-style tents, en-suite bucket shower & compost loo; up to 14 pax on request - Max guests: 14 pax on request; rates require a minimum of 4 guests - Children policy: Not fixed on site — 'enquire with reservations' per trade listings - Key activities: Walking safaris (core focus), 4x4 game drives incl. night drives, mokoro (seasonal, ~May-August), optional helicopter flights/multi-day heli exploration - Facilities: Simple shared mess tent (dining, chill-corner, bar, fire pit), no air-conditioning, no Wi-Fi; lightweight camp fully struck and moved by a dedicated backup crew - Ownership/history: Family-run by Simon (Condé Nast Traveller top-25 guide) and Marleen Byron, 30+ years combined Botswana safari experience; limited to ~100 safari days/year; contributes 300 BWP/guest/night to the Wild Entrust (predator conservation, Habu Conservancy)