5-Day Kweene Trails Expedition And Walking Safari Guide
The 5-Day Kweene Trails Expedition and Walking Safari is an exclusive, highly remote mobile safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, operated by Beagle Expeditions. Guests spend a minimum of 4 nights exploring an untouched 30,000-hectare concession on the Abu Private Reserve, completely off-limits to other operators.
Safari for daring tourists whose idea of luxury is a true expedition with a top guide in a remote and unspoiled section of the Okavango, away from the masses. This is one of the rare mobile safaris that operates in a private concession, creating a genuinely off beat and unique experience. This four night privately guided safari is specifically tailored for each party as you explore the pristine nature of the Abu concession on foot with one of Africa’s top guides. The center of this program is walking, although 4×4 wildlife drives and mokoro will be part of a more full Okavango experience.
This safari is to explore one of Botswana’s few remaining remote wilderness areas, a place so pristine that is a very little road network — making it perfect for walking safaris. This area is visited mostly on foot – however shorter 4×4 game drives are available for a more comfortable approach to predators. Boating and mokoros will be available when water levels allow, for those wishing for a classic Okavango experience.
This route takes you on a journey through the Kweene River system – commencing at the southern section of the Kweene River, for two nights before shifting camp to the northern section of the river. Normally this move is on foot, but can be via mokoro if water levels permit.
This safari package is designed to give you a taste of the kind of safari that can be tailored to suit your requirements however the day to day activities will very much depend on the season of travel and conditions on the ground- water levels and wildlife movements may necessitate changes to the itinerary to ensure the best possible safari experience.
A Detailed Kweene Trails Expedition And Walking Safari
Day 1 – Private Mobile Camp – Southern Kweene
On arrival in Maun you will be met by a representative from Helicopter Horizons who will assist you onboard your helicopter transfer to your camp, a breathtaking journey of some 30 minutes over the Okavango Delta.
When you arrive in the Delta, Simon and the staff will be there to welcome you to your new home in the Okavango – your private, mobile camp in the Abu Concession.
Naturally, mobile campers are light – so it’s a rustic yet comfortable experience. All camp duties are handled out by a team of efficient workers, so all your time is devoted to safari. Guests sleep in 3mx3m dome tents with ground mattresses – the bedrolls are thick and soft and the linen a fine cotton. Tents offer a basic en-suite bathroom with bucket shower (hot water) and bush loo. Dinner is entirely under the skies at night, and it is here that the luxury presents itself. The meal is varied, fresh and healthful seasonal dishes accompanied by outstanding South African wines.
After settling in and meeting the team, you’ll head out on your first activity, which will most likely be a walk, but if the water levels are high, you’ll also have the chance to end the day with a boat ride, toast the setting sun with a traditional sundowner, and then return to camp where a roaring fire awaits and a tasty dinner under the stars. Then it is time to go to bed and recuperate – ready for the adventure the next day.
A night under canvas in the African wilderness is very unusual — expect to hear all sorts of beautiful sounds as the bushveld never really sleeps. In the safety and comfort of your tent you may listen to the magnificent rhythm of the night sounds – the jackals calling, the owls hooting, the rustle of little nocturnal creatures such as bush babies and smaller cats such as genets, servals and caracals. Porcupines will often come around mobile camps and the noise of their quills is really unique. Look out for traces of him the next morning!
Day 2 – Private Mobile Camp – Southern Kweene
Next morning you rise early soon before daybreak. The motions of the rest of the camp will probably wake you naturally and you will feel the bushveld coming to life again but if not a friendly ‘knock’ on your tent will wake you. Hot water is delivered to your wash stand and you will have freshened up and met around the camp fire for hot drinks, a light meal and then start off for your first morning walk.
Early mornings are a great time for a walking safari for several reasons – it avoids the heat of the day, when it is not suitable for you or the animals to be out in the sun. Walking in the cooler parts of the day also gives the best possibility of witnessing the animals in action especially predators which had been active during the night.
Today you explore the southern section of the Kweene River, this occasional swamp has an arid feel to it, however as the floodplains are inundated with water less frequently than the seasonal swamps the grass species which are present here are richer and more attractive to grazers – so large herds are found here, along with the predators which follow.
Bush treks are not just about seeing wildlife. This is a time for your guide to impart his expertise of this unique eco-system, its flora, fauna and wildlife as you monitor animals and learn about the minor but vital parts of this area.
As the day warms up you return to camp for a tasty lunch and to relax with a book in the shade or have a siesta or speak in the mess area before your afternoon activity. This is likely to be a stroll again although the alternative of a game drive is always there. Particularly good if you want to get closer to predators you may have noticed before, and also a chance to capture some shots. If water levels are up you can also enjoy a mokoro boat ride.
Day 3 – Private Mobile Camp – Northern Kweene
Up early again, and a walk in the morning. Today you transfer camp, to the lush seasonal swamp area in the north. Today you move camp, leaving the southern section of Kweene for the lusher northern reaches of the river system.
All you have to do is pack your bags and leave them in camp, the staff will pack up the camp and make all the preparations, setting up your new camp which will be ready on arrival for you later in the afternoon.
You head off with Simon and your back up guide for a full day of exploration – depending on the water levels you will have the opportunity to travel by mokoro (the traditional Okavango way) or on foot or a combination of both.
As part of the annual flood cycle, the Kweene River’s northern segment receives water from the annual flood waters from Angola. This is a very lovely location with characteristic Okavango landscape, huge open floodplains filled with palm tree islands flanked by riverine woods attracting a plethora of species. This scenery will provide the magnificent backdrop for your walking safaris over the following two days.
Late afternoon in camp for drinks around the fire and dinner in your new Okavango home.
Day 4 – Private Mobile Camp – Northern Kweene
Your last day on safari – an early start to make the most of it. Today you visit this lovely northern area of Kweene with Simon, again focusing on walking but with the option of mokoro if water levels allow.
Walking gives a chance to get up close and personal with nature, to touch, feel and smell the African bush away from the rattling of the 4×4 vehicle. You really get your senses going outside the safety bubble of the 4×4, nothing focuses your attention more than wandering in the woods with Africa’s wonderful creatures observed on foot.
As the sun sets you return to camp having made the most of your last day – toast to your memories and enjoy your last night in Kweene – by now the sounds of the African bush will lull you to sleep like a lullaby.
Day 5 – End of Safari
This morning you are up early for one last exercise before you return to breakfast and to say goodbye to the crew. The night before you take off the radio will advise the time to camp. You will then be helicoptered back to Maun in time for your further journey. Or to your next campground.
End of the 5-Day Kweene Trails Expedition And Walking Safari