Hi Sushant, I am not in Botswana and unfortunately I don't know anyone there.
I've sent you a pm. Have a nice day.

What type of electrical power socket do you find most often in Maun? My understanding is that there are two types used in Botswana but several guides that I've read have said that one type is more common than the other (but none of them agree which one!)

One of these?
http://www.botswanatraveler.com/2009...-buying-guide/
But then again, Ngamiland power outages, as blackouts are called up there, are common place and occasion little excitement except amongst the pilots in their encampments who are the only people sufficiently affluent as to be able to afford computers. It is rumoured that there is internet available on the evenings when the southern lights are not visible from the delta and it is further put about that a character reference of quality, from the distinguished holder of a Botswana ATPL, may be had on payment of US$25,000, cash notes, new style Franklins.

selection process
 

Hi Guys,

do you know anything about the selection process of Wilderness or any company that can accept low hour pilots?

Cheers

hi
 

I am going there in November. No idea whatsoever what they want. But 250 hours should be enough. They will get a flight test done along with botswana medical and air law. But there is competition and good to expect that it might take some time before one actually gets hired. Lets see.

May we then assume you didn't bother reading the thread...?

Or perhaps read up on the Botswana Notams for had they done so they might be aware of what was happening in Maun and especially at the airport with the tsetse fly season coming into full buzz?

*sigh* I might have to write a new one.
I'm back in town and boy has this place changed.

Here's hoping you're back in town for fun and not because things didn't go your way elsewhere.
This is, after all, your thread. As the OP no one has ever come close to your succinct resume of the Botswana terms and conditions. It would be very kind of you to post an update on what the greenhorns can expect these days especially since it appears as though many of them are woefully unprepared for the horrors of working in the swamps of Africa.

Anyone in Zimbabwe?
 

Im just wondering what the current situation is like in Zimbabwe? Anyone on the ground there at the moment?

If you are not a citizen in Zim's then you won't get a job.

It's amazing how many Zim gardeners there are digging away in South Africa. One might almost call them Zimoles.

A message from a long-time Maun pilot for those who are planning to go there - from another forum, avcom.za


"I recently returned from Maun, after a four year adventure as a training manager and chief pilot. I worked at one of the big and one of the small operations. What an experience. Hopefully I can give you some tips.

In the past it was easy to get away with a fresh CPL, but recent changes in the ANR's have changed the recruitment process. Correctly stated the CAAB don't issue a Botswana CPL any more only a validation. It is therefore important to have a C172, C206 and Airvan on our license. The operators hourly criteria range from 500 as the norm to 800 hours, but there might be an operator that will look at less than 500 hours. I have always told the applicants to look at additional qualifications, like Instructors, Safety management etc. make yourself marketable sell yourself.

About being there, statement like "we want to see if the guy can endure the Maun conditions stay in a tent etc" i think that is a cock and bull story. Whether the applicant (not the poor buggers as express in the documentary) stay in a tent or lodge did not have a influence on the appointment process. In fact I appointed a good pilot on the basis of an CV I received. I looked at experience, ratings, qualifications, a general knowledge test and the person as a whole.

I suggest go to the big operators, Wilderness is listed on the JSE and the BSE, and Safari as a subsidiary of Chobe Holding listed on the BSE, then there is Mac Air, Moremi, and a few smaller ones. At the bigger ones you will get hours the smaller ones just might frustrate you in building hours.

A word of advise BECAUSE YOU ARE DESPERATE WANTING TO BE A PILOT DONT GET RAPED BY THE OPERATOR, read the contract.

Work and residence permits: Pilots are a scares skill in Botswana, although the salary does not reflect that. The norm was and may still be 350 hours labour and emigration like instructors and any other aviation qualification will support your application, BUT YOU MUST HAVE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT TO APPLY FOR PERMITS. This is also important, there is nothing more frustrating, than employing a pilot start the training only to have his/her permits rejected on the basis that he/she has a criminal record. If you have a criminal record dont waste your time.

On the Bush Pilot drama. It is no big deal to fly in the Delta. You need individual and proper orientation and training. You as a pilot need to apply your risk managing skills and common sense. I had the privilege to train and fly with Phil and Graham. Taking Phil for his initial Skills Test, during the briefing he informed ever so friendly that he has never landed a C206 on wheels only on floats, WTF I thought. But what a fantastic test. What a privilege to fly with Graham, I did his C208 rating, fantastic pilot, no wonder he is a FO at Quatar.

Live the dream and enjoy the Delta."

Hi all! I've always thought about flying in Africa. And looks like I'm going for it. After a couple of weeks I've finished reading through the post and I would like to thank lilflyboy (and its contributors) for the really good post. I found it very useful and quite interesting. I have 360TT and no C206 rating. I know it's gonna be difficult to make it but I need to try it. I'm planning to get there by January. Good luck to everybody down there!

And Booze, thank you very much for your information. Looks like we need to get a C206 rating......:uhoh:

Just in case any one is interested/ budgeting for a trip to Maun, I got all of the vaccinations recommended by a travel doctor in New Zealand and all up it cost around $1100 NZD. Totally blew my budget, but as my mum said, "you can't put a price on your health".

PilotInPink
 

OMG you know it's just Africa. How can a couple of vaccination cost $1100 NZD? Doesn't even cost that much to go to the moon!

Reckon that chancre mechanic saw you coming a long way off, PIP...:}

Surprisingly when I phoned around these guys were the cheapest! But then again, everything costs a lot in NZ.

Shots
 

I got all mine for $400 USD. That was last year 2012.

ive heard rumours
 

Ive heard people saying chances in Maun/namibia etc are getting way lower due to influx in pilots. and some governments are adding a minimum hours for visas etc. any confirmation or denies on this ? Im a kiwi, 350TT instructor +MEIR, is it still worth heading over? (vaccines 500-1000, flights 2000-3000, 3months spending money 2000 = appx 6k, lots to gamble lol)

Well, Bonzaii, all depends on how you budget. I got away with spending a tad shy of 1000usd per month. And I was there together with my wife. And we went Nam - Bots and back again. And Vic Falls inbetween, and some sightseeing on top of that.

But then again we stayed at campsites while some had private rooms in hostels, travelled from Windhuk to Swakop with a combi while some rented cars, and hitchhiked form Maun to Kasane and back while some took flights. :)

ahh, yes, but is the market flooded with low hour pilots? are there still chances?

Well I doubt it's flooded with ATPs

I think 350tt qualifies as low time

It's not flooded with pilots. But I can't stress enough how important it is to come with the ratings. Specially a GA8.

if i do jump across the ditch, i plan on having a 210 rating with 5-10hrs (i know a guy), also considering doing the bush course over there when i arrive ( equals more time in the country for the employers, bush flying experience, and a reason to bring all my gear if issues at the border) - though i could just do a bush flying course in NZ instead, might be a bit more complete.

lilflyboy262...2
I heard 206/210 were the most valuable for africa?

C207 time couldn't hurt as well.

Oh, I forgot to add something about vaccinations. SOME of the shots are much cheaper here than in the US. I paid around $150 per rabies shot in the US and it was $39 here in Botswana.

heading to maun
 

Hello. I am heading to maun in the first week of December. I might be a bit late since I am still awaiting my visa. I was looking for a place to stay and preferably would love to share it wuth a similar person who is out looking for a job. Anyone interested can reply to this post.

have a good day guys.

A bush flying course is useless to be honest. Sure it's a fun way to get some hours but the flying it teaches in impractical in Botswana.
A C210 rating isn't that good for Botswana. Sure there is a few companies that fly them but not as the mainstay of the fleet.
A 210 will help you in getting a job in Namibia however.
A C207 will only get you into one company in maun.
C206s are handy, but companies are slowly phasing them out. You will need on to be considered at wilderness however.
A GA8 rating is worth it's weight in gold. But only in Maun...

Little story to lighten the load:
Last year, before I went to Africa and got my Hep A, Yellow fever and Meningitis shots in Russia (cost me $50 for everything) I asked about Malaria and anything I can take do to, well...not get it.
Doctor said to use Maleron, but when I said that I was going there to fly aircraft, her eyes almost shot out of her sockets and she said repeatedly: "No, No, No! Do not, under any circumstance take any anti-malaria medication if you plan to operate anything more complex than a car! They all have side effects like hallucinations and disorientation! Promise me you will not take anything!" She then gave me a container of pills and said: "if you feel any flu-like symptoms when you are in Africa, it is not the flu. It is Malaria, and only then do you take these pills!"

Africa
 

I was based in Nigeria and Tanzania.
I took those pills as an Anti Malarial protection.
Malarone and they are approved by USA-FAA

You want doxycycline for malaria, it's cheap, readily available, has no major side effects, heck they even use to to treat acne.

I've also been told that the best way to go about things is to take the doxy until you are settled in with everything, then go off it, if you think you're getting sick get a $5 blood test, if you are positive for malaria then self administer the curative malaria kit (CMK).

I was told by my doctor, that to take malaria meds for more than 30 days was hazardous to your kidneys and/or liver.
So best to wait until you get flu symptoms and then start taking the meds right away, and get to a hospital/doctor to be tested, if you've got it, then they meds they give for it will be the same, so you just keep taking it. If you don't have it, you don't risk much.
But the "preventative" doesn't actually prevent it, what it does is get the medicine in your blood stream early, so the symptoms are reduced. If you start taking the meds at the first sign of flu symptoms, you get about the same effect.
My wife, and her family, have all had numerous bouts of malaria, the first few times they take the meds, and then the next few times the symptoms are significantly less and they don't take the meds, by the 5th or 6th time, it's just a few days "flu".

I'm on my way! See you all in a couple of days :)

Hello everyone i'll be coming over there by 10th, right now just getting my necessary paperwork done, see you guys there :)
By the way just curious to ask, Is anyone who is coming from Joburg close to or around 10th? I mean we can share the gas or rent if you are planning to go by car or something.

DRS absolutely correct. 3 months is the limit for most prophylaxis otherwise there is a danger of liver damage. Stick to quinine in the form of G&T. Still get liver damage but it is more enjoyable :ok:

Wow! has Bots changed it's immigration laws re: India?

I'm coming there in jan. will be camping in audi camp.

how many hours you guys think should be good I'm a CFII with MEL rating and have about 400 some hours. any chances to get a job.

My advice is don't stay at Audi. It's nice, but a very long way from town.

You'll be better off at Sedia or Motsebe

Stay in the US and work as a CFII. Better hours and more hours.
I started working as a lowly CFI 6 months ago, I'm up to around 700h now.