Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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No, its just that you are continually running the place down.
Look at the original post in this thread. I sure as heck don't paint a rosy picture.
And yes, my experience is the norm in Botswana (Which is what this thread is about). It's just most of the others piss it away at the bar.
As for the entry level stuff, most of the ones I have seen were around 19-25k. Unless that has changed in the recent times?
It's a great place to go and get your hours that you need to get over the 1500 mark, and to have a hell of a fun time doing it.
Look at the original post in this thread. I sure as heck don't paint a rosy picture.
And yes, my experience is the norm in Botswana (Which is what this thread is about). It's just most of the others piss it away at the bar.
As for the entry level stuff, most of the ones I have seen were around 19-25k. Unless that has changed in the recent times?
It's a great place to go and get your hours that you need to get over the 1500 mark, and to have a hell of a fun time doing it.
Join Date: Mar 2014
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No, its just that you are continually running the place down.
I LIKE NAMIBIA
Just go eyes wide open,
The flying is GREAT, people GREAT, food and booze GREAT, one of the most beautiful countries I've seen, plenty to do, great group of pilots.
The pays sucks, people running the companies are not quite up to par, many imports are expensive and data gets expensive.
It's a give and take, just like every other place on earth.
Overall how am I running the place down when I said it's a GREAT place for low time guys???
It's a great place to go and get your hours that you need to get over the 1500 mark, and to have a hell of a fun time doing it.
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Moremi
i am QF Domestic Airline pilot from Australia (ex air Zim) ...Need some on ground advice. We are planning a short trip in April to the Delta after a wedding in Joburg.
first visit to the delta even though I flew many years in Zim. Looking forward to a ride with one of you to one of the lodges...but which one!??
Moremi caught our eye.
For best overall value which lodge would you recommend?
Looking at using the Maun based "the booking Company" for ...bookings.
Any tips much appreciated.
first visit to the delta even though I flew many years in Zim. Looking forward to a ride with one of you to one of the lodges...but which one!??
Moremi caught our eye.
For best overall value which lodge would you recommend?
Looking at using the Maun based "the booking Company" for ...bookings.
Any tips much appreciated.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Go back through 90% of your posts about Africa. You will see what I mean. Perhaps you don't realise your own negativity.
@Gimp.
Savuti and Kasane are two places that are always magical.
The booking company will offer those places to you. If you are fixed on using them... I would suggest going Shinde, Savuti then Chobe Game Lodge in Kasane. From Kasane you can fly back to Jo'burg, or go back down to Maun and fly to Jo'burg.
Those three camps are great camps with great staff and loads of animals. Camp Moremi is also highly recommended but there is also a large amount of self drives there.
Wilderness also has some good lodges, actually they have the best ones, but they also tend to be up there in price.
@Gimp.
Savuti and Kasane are two places that are always magical.
The booking company will offer those places to you. If you are fixed on using them... I would suggest going Shinde, Savuti then Chobe Game Lodge in Kasane. From Kasane you can fly back to Jo'burg, or go back down to Maun and fly to Jo'burg.
Those three camps are great camps with great staff and loads of animals. Camp Moremi is also highly recommended but there is also a large amount of self drives there.
Wilderness also has some good lodges, actually they have the best ones, but they also tend to be up there in price.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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"Which lodge" is a bit like asking how long a piece of string is...
It all depends;
What do you want to see?
Where do you want to go?
What kind of accommodation standards do you want?
What activities do you want?
Is this your first safari?
And most importantly, budget.
And if course it's wise to remember that pilots are often treated quite differently to guests, so my favourite places to overnight are not necessarily guest favourites...
It all depends;
What do you want to see?
Where do you want to go?
What kind of accommodation standards do you want?
What activities do you want?
Is this your first safari?
And most importantly, budget.
And if course it's wise to remember that pilots are often treated quite differently to guests, so my favourite places to overnight are not necessarily guest favourites...
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Current update for Maun:
Requirement for a work permit is now 500 hrs total time. If you don't have the hours the companies simply cannot employ you.
Since September 2014, the CAAB recognizes and will validate your license with class ratings. However some companies (not all) will still require you to have a type rating on either the 206 or airvan before being employed. This is important to note because so many pilots are going back to their home country simply to log one hour on these types.
Please avoid the Motsebe and Sedia backpackers. There have been several robberies lately. The best place to head to is the Old Bridge backpackers as it is busier and guarded 24/7.
Pay seems to be between p6000-p10000 per month, easy to live off of. Rent is easy to find in the range of p1000-p2000 all in for shared accommodation. Alone you can budget p2800+.
Just a few things I have learned/have proven to be true since I arrived in Maun and are important to note.
Requirement for a work permit is now 500 hrs total time. If you don't have the hours the companies simply cannot employ you.
Since September 2014, the CAAB recognizes and will validate your license with class ratings. However some companies (not all) will still require you to have a type rating on either the 206 or airvan before being employed. This is important to note because so many pilots are going back to their home country simply to log one hour on these types.
Please avoid the Motsebe and Sedia backpackers. There have been several robberies lately. The best place to head to is the Old Bridge backpackers as it is busier and guarded 24/7.
Pay seems to be between p6000-p10000 per month, easy to live off of. Rent is easy to find in the range of p1000-p2000 all in for shared accommodation. Alone you can budget p2800+.
Just a few things I have learned/have proven to be true since I arrived in Maun and are important to note.
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dash8ing: Sedia are not backpackers, it is a lodge/hotel with a camp site. You are right to caution people on these matters. Unfortunately The Bridge doesn't welcome pilots long stay. Sure, until you find something else, and, it is a.great place. They want tourists who will buy their tours. As for your 24/7 (only on the 24th July 
) security. We had someone try to break into our tent there. Security were asleep. Bad choice of target, a Botswana resident, very light sleeper, ex-military with a gun, big mistake 
Also if you do not have transport it is a long way from the road. I still think Sedia is a good place despite security problems. Great facilites and on the road. Come on, this is Africa. Even at home 40 km out of town I sleep with a gun under the bed. Just secure your valuables and kill any b@start who tries to nick them. Easy 
) security. We had someone try to break into our tent there. Security were asleep. Bad choice of target, a Botswana resident, very light sleeper, ex-military with a gun, big mistake Also if you do not have transport it is a long way from the road. I still think Sedia is a good place despite security problems. Great facilites and on the road. Come on, this is Africa. Even at home 40 km out of town I sleep with a gun under the bed. Just secure your valuables and kill any b@start who tries to nick them. Easy
Last edited by Exascot; 4th Feb 2015 at 11:37. Reason: grammar
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SRT, you have been on this continent long enough.The only thing these criminals understand is a big hole in their body. Having been robbed twice (not present at the time) I have told the police I will just shoot any intruder onto our estate and ask questions later. If you get a kill they have recommended that you stick a knife in their hand before calling them 
Folks, do not be put off coming here it is probably the safest and most stable country in Africa. You just have to be street wise like anywhere else in the world.
Folks, do not be put off coming here it is probably the safest and most stable country in Africa. You just have to be street wise like anywhere else in the world.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Meh. Just roll the stiff into the lagoon and let the flat dogs take care of it.
Couple of years fattening them up and you can afford to expend a single round on a new set of croc luggage for Nurse Ascot.
Couple of years fattening them up and you can afford to expend a single round on a new set of croc luggage for Nurse Ascot.
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I have sent emails to over 200 companies in africa asking them what their requirements are and only 5 have responsed.Calling them is expensive.Thats why asked for the help.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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This thread is about MAUN, BOTSWANA. Read the first post to get all the info you need. Questions about the rest of Africa belong somewhere else...
We get a couple of emails every day from prospective pilots but only hire the guys/girls who make the effort to come here personally (info that you should have read in the first post). But I guess that if making phone calls is too expensive, actually turning up to try your luck is out of the question.
We get a couple of emails every day from prospective pilots but only hire the guys/girls who make the effort to come here personally (info that you should have read in the first post). But I guess that if making phone calls is too expensive, actually turning up to try your luck is out of the question.
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All of the information you need is in this thread - just make the effort and read it.
Companies receive hundreds of emails from prospective low hour pilots who are usually unsuitable for their requirements and they simply dont have the staff or resources to educate the world and his dog.
In general the best (only) way to get a job is to be there on the ground making friends and talking to the right people. If you have the right number of hours on the correct aircraft (read the thread - this varies with time) and the right personlity you will succeed.
Note, however, that times are hard and tourist numbers are down so it could take some time for a vacancy to arise.
Companies receive hundreds of emails from prospective low hour pilots who are usually unsuitable for their requirements and they simply dont have the staff or resources to educate the world and his dog.
In general the best (only) way to get a job is to be there on the ground making friends and talking to the right people. If you have the right number of hours on the correct aircraft (read the thread - this varies with time) and the right personlity you will succeed.
Note, however, that times are hard and tourist numbers are down so it could take some time for a vacancy to arise.
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Word on the street is that 4 companies in Maun are hiring now. At least two companies currently have more aeroplanes than they have pilots.
The industry in the rest of Africa seems to be booming and there's been a few shock resignations from here.
Minimum requirements still seem to be 500 hours (or 200 for a Botswana citizen) and as always, pilots will only be chosen from the guys/girls that are putting in the hours at Bon Arrivee.
Class ratings are slowly starting to be recognized, but a few hours on any of the piston types flown here is very useful. (Or anyone from South Africa, New Zealand or any other country that has type ratings for single engine pistons, will actually need the type rating before they arrive).
The industry in the rest of Africa seems to be booming and there's been a few shock resignations from here.
Minimum requirements still seem to be 500 hours (or 200 for a Botswana citizen) and as always, pilots will only be chosen from the guys/girls that are putting in the hours at Bon Arrivee.
Class ratings are slowly starting to be recognized, but a few hours on any of the piston types flown here is very useful. (Or anyone from South Africa, New Zealand or any other country that has type ratings for single engine pistons, will actually need the type rating before they arrive).
Está servira para distraerle.
I've a big green Botswana ATPL last used in 1988. Wouldn't mind a last fling in the Delta regions; something to keep the sparkle going!
Last edited by cavortingcheetah; 16th Feb 2015 at 21:57.
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The only problem is that a CPL or ATPL automatically degrades to PPL privileges only at either age 60 or 65 depending on origin.
You can keep the IR current so long as you can keep the medical but no paying passengers.
OTOH perhaps it is a good thing to leave some jobs for the youngsters.
You can keep the IR current so long as you can keep the medical but no paying passengers.
OTOH perhaps it is a good thing to leave some jobs for the youngsters.
Está servira para distraerle.
But then what happens if you're over 65 and hold a Class 1 and a current EASA ATPL and you request a Botswana validation of that licence? Is that a conundrum of histrionic proportions?