Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
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I can already feel the boys stirring 
You do have to be really careful with your girl. Its the major cause of friction between the hunters and the pilots in this town.
Last year one pilot lost his wife to another pilot... it happens.
Unfortunately (my girlfriend is in the business of getting permits issued.), she cannot apply on your permit as a dependant.
I think there is something along the lines of you having to get something signed in SA declaring that she is your dependant there.
Aldo, you will probably need to write a supporting letter here declaring that she is going to be your dependant here.
Im pretty sure your girl will be able to find work, nearly everyone does. Leaving her at home, bored and alone, while your away on overnights is not a smart idea.
You do have to be really careful with your girl. Its the major cause of friction between the hunters and the pilots in this town.
Last year one pilot lost his wife to another pilot... it happens.
Unfortunately (my girlfriend is in the business of getting permits issued.), she cannot apply on your permit as a dependant.
I think there is something along the lines of you having to get something signed in SA declaring that she is your dependant there.
Aldo, you will probably need to write a supporting letter here declaring that she is going to be your dependant here.
Im pretty sure your girl will be able to find work, nearly everyone does. Leaving her at home, bored and alone, while your away on overnights is not a smart idea.
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Almost there...
Wonderful news!!! I wasn't to happy with the ideia of taking to much cash with me. How much do you think I'm going to spend per month? I read that I'll probably have to repeat my medical exams there, how much will that cost me? Regarding my aviation documents, I only have my licence with everything attached to it (SEP, MEP/IR, MCC, ICAO english) and my medical certificate class 1. Both of them are translated. Thanks for your reply
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How much do you want to spend per month?
You can live there in a tent for so little it hurts to think about it. Or you can live in a dorm or private room and drink and party and eat out every day.
In a tent for most of the time, you can go on as little as maybe USD 1000 per month and not have to worry about how much you drink or eat. I've seen guys do it for USD 500 a month, and I've seen guys have a hard time with USD 2000 per month. Realize that it's MORE expensive to live there IN A TENT temporarily in a "camp" than it is to live there in a room/apartment/house after you get hired, and you will live (almost comfortably) on USD 1000 per month once you're hired. So, don't rely on USD 500 a month, you'll run out of money... but you can do it if you are VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY tight with your money - but then you won't be able to buy anyone a drink and you will be known as a skinflint.
You won't be paying for medicals, or exams, or conversions, or anything like that UNLESS you're hired, so don't worry about how much that will cost. Burn that bridge when you get to it.
You must be prepared to stay for more than 3 months though, even though you will only get a visa for 3 months, you'll be paying to live there (or in a neighboring country while you wait) for more than 3 months - that's the way it's been for just about everyone hired in Bots and Nam for the past few years. Some have even gone back home for a few months waiting on visas.
You can live there in a tent for so little it hurts to think about it. Or you can live in a dorm or private room and drink and party and eat out every day.
In a tent for most of the time, you can go on as little as maybe USD 1000 per month and not have to worry about how much you drink or eat. I've seen guys do it for USD 500 a month, and I've seen guys have a hard time with USD 2000 per month. Realize that it's MORE expensive to live there IN A TENT temporarily in a "camp" than it is to live there in a room/apartment/house after you get hired, and you will live (almost comfortably) on USD 1000 per month once you're hired. So, don't rely on USD 500 a month, you'll run out of money... but you can do it if you are VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY tight with your money - but then you won't be able to buy anyone a drink and you will be known as a skinflint.
You won't be paying for medicals, or exams, or conversions, or anything like that UNLESS you're hired, so don't worry about how much that will cost. Burn that bridge when you get to it.
You must be prepared to stay for more than 3 months though, even though you will only get a visa for 3 months, you'll be paying to live there (or in a neighboring country while you wait) for more than 3 months - that's the way it's been for just about everyone hired in Bots and Nam for the past few years. Some have even gone back home for a few months waiting on visas.
I think I will fly again Join Date: Nov 2010
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DRS 'combi' thanks for that I think I will fly again
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planning on buying a car
We have always found taxis in Maun to be fairly reasonable prices compared to here or the UK actually. Not that you want to use one all the time, no matter how entertaining it is!
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Theres two in town that I know of. One has been here for about 5 months and is about to go home unfortunately 
The other has been here for perhaps a month.
The other has been here for perhaps a month.
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Thanks once again darkroomsource. It'll be difficult for me to stay there for 3 months without work, but we'll see.
This is getting more and more interesting, now we even have girls in the equation...
This is getting more and more interesting, now we even have girls in the equation...
Está servira para distraerle.
If I were setting out to write a chick lit I'd set the scene in a wild rambunctious desert town, surrounded by savage animals and venomously dangerous waters.
I'd throw in dust storms, dangerous employment, alcohol and kept women left alone in their boudoirs all day with nought to do but preen and cut their toe nails. I'd have a recipe cooking for steamy sex in the swamps that would give even Louise Mensch a pause in her efforts to clean the Augean Stables. Of course, in order to complete the triangles, someone has to get killed. A green mamba in the magnetoes, great snakes on a plane, or just a scorpion strapped to the rudder pedals. All you'd need would be the padre on a pony searching for the long lost corpse of his sister, last seen being eaten by an enormous crocodile. Mind you though, if one drove in a lux van full of working girls up from the southern cess pit, there's a fortune to be made. If Pilansberg has been closed then there's even some hoti toti nearer to hand temporarily at least unemployed. An explosive environment into which to introduce women of any disposition let alone left alone ones. Chastity belts have holes in them, human rights law demands this and most locks would provide no difficulty for a picker of enthusiasm. Besides, sexual infidelity is infinitely enterprising in its originality. Yep! Sounds like there might be some fun, games and excitement going on up in the Boon Docks this summer. There's even a television company looking to make a documentary about who sleeps with whom, or what, while Willy is away flying. They've been advertising for business on Wrinkled Plum's pages. Is this the opportunity for Big Brother to come to Maun? The TV company seems gaudy enough for it to be so. Just pop an ad of a solicitous nature in the Sandton Chronicle and frustrated house wives in silken knickers will be wending their way north for a few days of Midnight in Maun, having told their banker husbands in Johannesburg that they're off to London for a podiatric seminar or some such nonsense. Bringing your adored one to Maun is like playing Russian Roulette. The trigger will get pulled and the trick is, will she? And the answer to that question is, yes she will, it just depends on the spin that others put into their cylinders.
I'd throw in dust storms, dangerous employment, alcohol and kept women left alone in their boudoirs all day with nought to do but preen and cut their toe nails. I'd have a recipe cooking for steamy sex in the swamps that would give even Louise Mensch a pause in her efforts to clean the Augean Stables. Of course, in order to complete the triangles, someone has to get killed. A green mamba in the magnetoes, great snakes on a plane, or just a scorpion strapped to the rudder pedals. All you'd need would be the padre on a pony searching for the long lost corpse of his sister, last seen being eaten by an enormous crocodile. Mind you though, if one drove in a lux van full of working girls up from the southern cess pit, there's a fortune to be made. If Pilansberg has been closed then there's even some hoti toti nearer to hand temporarily at least unemployed. An explosive environment into which to introduce women of any disposition let alone left alone ones. Chastity belts have holes in them, human rights law demands this and most locks would provide no difficulty for a picker of enthusiasm. Besides, sexual infidelity is infinitely enterprising in its originality. Yep! Sounds like there might be some fun, games and excitement going on up in the Boon Docks this summer. There's even a television company looking to make a documentary about who sleeps with whom, or what, while Willy is away flying. They've been advertising for business on Wrinkled Plum's pages. Is this the opportunity for Big Brother to come to Maun? The TV company seems gaudy enough for it to be so. Just pop an ad of a solicitous nature in the Sandton Chronicle and frustrated house wives in silken knickers will be wending their way north for a few days of Midnight in Maun, having told their banker husbands in Johannesburg that they're off to London for a podiatric seminar or some such nonsense. Bringing your adored one to Maun is like playing Russian Roulette. The trigger will get pulled and the trick is, will she? And the answer to that question is, yes she will, it just depends on the spin that others put into their cylinders.
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@Exascot
I'm really getting confused by the things you are saying...
On the one hand you're concerned about costs, trying to save money on every little thing it seems, and then on the other hand you're concerned about anything that might be anywhere near "ruffing it". And now, when I go back to see the message to which I'm referring, they've been removed...
What are you really up to?
I'm really getting confused by the things you are saying...
On the one hand you're concerned about costs, trying to save money on every little thing it seems, and then on the other hand you're concerned about anything that might be anywhere near "ruffing it". And now, when I go back to see the message to which I'm referring, they've been removed...
What are you really up to?
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DRS,
I have not removed any postings and I don't think any were controversial so I don't think the mods did, I don't understand.
No we are not going to 'rough it' but at the same time I am not going to give money to banks etc in bad exchange rates and transfer charges.
I will PM you about who we are.
I have not removed any postings and I don't think any were controversial so I don't think the mods did, I don't understand.
No we are not going to 'rough it' but at the same time I am not going to give money to banks etc in bad exchange rates and transfer charges.
I will PM you about who we are.
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For the public record DRS and I have sorted out the confusion. As can be seen from my details I am a retired military and airline pilot now a tour operator working in Greece and Botswana. Also a management consultant in Aviation and eco-tourism. So guys, no threat in the job seeking market but here to help if I can. Good luck to all who are looking for a job this summer. 
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Awesome thread! I have broken my head for 20 months on how to make it to maun or any other place.. I have 227 hours ICAO CPL . Could you kindly help me out .... I can make it to Maun by the end of this year as my license has to be renewed... hoping to hear from you sir... my email is [email protected] ..
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@evernesky
Absolute classic post my friend, we are all in stitches...
thanks for the laugh...
sounds like you found this great thread BUT DIDN'T BOTHER TO READ IT
go back to page one and start again.
Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
Absolute classic post my friend, we are all in stitches...
thanks for the laugh...
sounds like you found this great thread BUT DIDN'T BOTHER TO READ IT
go back to page one and start again.
Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
Prepare2go on behalf of RDF Television...
RDF Television are making a documentary series for UKTV’s channel Dave about the men and women flying small planes in southern Africa. We’ll be following the lives of these courageous pilots as they ferry passengers and cargo around the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert, and as they try to live a normal life in a part of the world which is anything but!
Young pilots head to Botswana from all over the world to take on possibly the toughest job they’ll ever do. This is real hands and feet flying and pilots here have to contend with wildlife on the airstrips, rapidly changing weather, and tough, busy schedules as they quickly clock up flying hours in some of the most amazing scenery in the world.
The only way to get a job in Botswana is to turn up and try your luck. You can’t apply for jobs by email or phone, you have to roll up to have a chance. Each year a huge crowd of pilots from every corner of the globe camp out in the hope that this year they might just land the dream job of becoming a bush pilot.
We’re looking for any pilots currently in the UK who are planning on heading to Botswana this year... if you’re thinking of going this year, or early next year, please drop us a line on 0117 970 7697 or email us: [email protected]
Young pilots head to Botswana from all over the world to take on possibly the toughest job they’ll ever do. This is real hands and feet flying and pilots here have to contend with wildlife on the airstrips, rapidly changing weather, and tough, busy schedules as they quickly clock up flying hours in some of the most amazing scenery in the world.
The only way to get a job in Botswana is to turn up and try your luck. You can’t apply for jobs by email or phone, you have to roll up to have a chance. Each year a huge crowd of pilots from every corner of the globe camp out in the hope that this year they might just land the dream job of becoming a bush pilot.
We’re looking for any pilots currently in the UK who are planning on heading to Botswana this year... if you’re thinking of going this year, or early next year, please drop us a line on 0117 970 7697 or email us: [email protected]
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darkroomsource
Some things are international!!! Monopoly at its best ... Always good to remember!
Some things are international!!! Monopoly at its best ... Always good to remember!
Last edited by Pinante; 6th Sep 2011 at 09:42.