air safari maun

Explore Maun

 Travel Far, Be Local

Explore the Air

• 45 min Helicopter Scenic Flight
• 60 min Helicopter Scenic Flight
• 60 min Light Aircraft Scenic Flight

Explore the Bush

• Moremi Game Reserve Day Trip

Explore the Water

• Sunset Boat Cruise on the Thamalakane River
• Full-Day Boating Safari into the Okavango Delta
• Half-Day Mokoro Experience
• Full-Day Mokoro Experience
• Overnight Mokoro Experience

Explore Culture and Conservation

• Elephant Havens Orphanage Visit
• Lunch at Elephant Havens Orphanage
• Maun Town Tour

Explore Flavour

• Okavango Brewery Tour & Tasting

Explore Active

• Horse Riding by the Hour
• Breakfast Horse Ride
• Thamalakane River Horse Ride

Explore Adventures

• Helicopter over the Delta with Okavango Craft Beer
• Helicopter Scenic with Palm Island Gin Stop
• Helicopter Champagne Stop
• Helicopter and Mokoro Adventure
• Elephant Havens and Helicopter Scenic Adventure
• Scenic Helicopter Flight and Lunch in the Wilderness
• Life with Elephants Adventure and Scenic Helicopter Transfer
• Tsodilo Hills Adventure and Scenic Helicopter Transfer

Full-Day Safari and Helicopter Adventure

• Delta Overnight Adventure with Helicopter Transfers

$ 1,700.00

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

7:00 am 6:00 pm

*To book within the next 48 hours, please contact us

Description

Start your safari in Maun by boat or mokoro, heading north to meet your helicopter in the heart of the Delta. Your boat guide will take you up the Boro River and through the buffalo fence, exploring the Okavango Delta channels towards Chiefs Island. From your boat, immerse yourself in the watery landscapes experiencing close up views of the papyrus and reed-lined channels, wide lagoons and palm tree islands.

Enjoy wildlife sightings that may include hippos, crocodiles, elephants feeding and many species of antelope.

After your morning boat ride, your helicopter pilot will collect you on the banks of the river for your hour-long doors off scenic flight. Immediately after lifting off, the helicopter will offer a completely different perspective opening up the vastness of the Okavango Delta right before your eyes. The floodplains support large numbers of grazers and smaller numbers of hopeful predators, all on offer with entirely unrestricted views and photographic opportunities of a lifetime.

Upon landing you will be met by your game drive guide who will have a picnic lunch organised before your game drive begins. Driving through a wildlife-rich and private area of the Okavango Delta, spend the afternoon spotting game from your open safari vehicle. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to Maun by vehicle.

• Return helicopter transfers
• Boat/Mokoro trip & safari drive
• Private guide
• Entrance fees & picnic lunch
• Departure tax

• Optional gratuity

Important Information

• Arrive 30 mins prior to requested flight
• Passport is required

Start your safari in Maun by boat or mokoro, heading north to meet your helicopter in the heart of the Delta. Your boat guide will take you up the Boro River and through the buffalo fence, exploring the Okavango Delta channels towards Chiefs Island. From your boat, immerse yourself in the watery landscapes experiencing close up views of the papyrus and reed-lined channels, wide lagoons and palm tree islands. Enjoy wildlife sightings that may include hippos, crocodiles, elephants feeding and many species of antelope. After your morning boat ride, your helicopter pilot will collect you on the banks of the river for your hour-long doors off scenic flight. Immediately after lifting off, the helicopter will offer a completely different perspective opening up the vastness of the Okavango Delta right before your eyes. The floodplains support large numbers of grazers and smaller numbers of hopeful predators, all on offer with entirely unrestricted views and photographic opportunities of a lifetime. Upon landing you will be met by your game drive guide who will have a picnic lunch organised before your game drive begins. Driving through a wildlife-rich and private area of the Okavango Delta, spend the afternoon spotting game from your open safari vehicle. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to Maun by vehicle.

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• Opposite Maun Airport Entrance

© 2023 Explore Maun

THE 10 BEST Maun Safaris

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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• Maun Safari

The ultimate guide to your next Maun Safari

Get to know maun.

Maun is a bustling frontier town featuring a mix of the modern and traditional, where air safari charter specialists operate alongside rural cattle herders

While not really a tourism destination itself, Maun is considered the tourism capital of Botswana. Travelers fly into Maun International airport or drive in, en route to the Okavango Delta or Moremi Game Reserve. Maun offers a number of modern hotels, lodges, restaurants and shopping centres.

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Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

Enjoy an authentic African experience.

• Gateway to the Okavango Delta, where a mokoro (dugout canoe) trip is a must do.
• Outfitting spot for safaris to the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, 80km away
• Shopping opportunities
• Cultural visits to local villages

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you tailor your itinerary to your perfect adventure., 24/7 support, personalized, popular maun safaris, these recommended tours for maun can be tailor-made to match your budget..

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Botswana’s tourism capital, on the southern fringe of the great Okavango Delta, is a premier adventure destination drawing visitors from all over the world. Air Botswana flies to Maun from Johannesburg, giving long-haul overseas passengers direct access to the magnificent Okavango wetlands, a United Nations World Heritage site rich in animal and birdlife. Air Botswana also operates between Gaborone and Maun.

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THE 10 BEST Maun Safaris

Safaris in maun.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Okavango Delta
• MOKORO TRAIL DISCOUNTED PACKAGE
• Action Adventure Safaris
• Khwai Concession
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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What travellers are saying.

Maun is the main safari gateway in northern Botswana. Almost all of our clients will travel through Maun at one point as they visit the safari destinations like the Okavango Delta, Linyanti Wetland, and Moremi Game Reserve, to name a few.

The town is very much a bustling hub of activity. Many safari companies have offices or headquarters there so they can service their camps in the more remote areas. Most of the pilots that operate the transfer flights for tourists call Maun home as well.

Since almost all safari locations in the region are accessed by air, a vast majority of people just pass through the Main Airport as the meet onward flights to their safari destinations. Because of this there are very few good spots to spend the night should you wish to explore a bit.

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Maun Tours & Safari Packages

179 Tours from Maun, ordered shortest to longest trip. Prices are from R25013 $1360 £1069 €1255 A$2056 C$1865 NZ$2226 to R224800 $12223 £9611 €11275 A$18479 C$16761 NZ$20006 per person. Use our Tour Search → to filter by price, duration, start point, travel style and more. View all scheduled Maun departures to find tours departing in 2024 & 2025.

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Our TrustPilot Reviews for Maun

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Why Travel to Maun ? by Landia Davies

As the safari hub of Botswana Maun offers a wide variety of safari options, mostly centered on  Okavango Delta Safaris into the world's largest inland delta.

Maun Fly-In Delta Safaris

Fly-in Okavango Delta Safaris from Maun are very popular, as are scenic flights over the Okavango from Maun . Maun is ideally located for flights into and over the untamed delta and flying over this watery wilderness area is a excellent way to appreciate the scale and beauty of this remarkable wetland system.

Maun to Delta Safaris

Camping is a superb way to truly experience the wild delta with several affordable tours from Maun taking you deep into the delta bush. If you are looking for more comfort and prefer an accommodated safari, there are also budget lodge safaris into the delta, via Maun.

Overland Safaris from Maun travel into the delta by 4x4 safari vehicle and when water levels are high enough by motorboat, or in traditional dug-out canoes, called mokoros. For the mokoro rides you will be taken to a mokoro station from Maun and poled into the delta by an experienced local.

African Safaris via Maun 

African Budget Safaris offers plenty of longer safari trips that travel via Maun through Botswana and other southern African countries. Many of the most popular Botswana budget safari options combine Maun, the Okavango Delta, Chobe Park and Victoria Falls, and even Moremi Reserve.

Longer safari routes including Maun as a stop, frequently explore the neighbouring countries of Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

Find out more with our Maun safari travel guide page.

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Book Your Stay

We recommend that you book your safari through an Africa travel specialist who has visited the camps that you may wish to stay at. Due to their in- depth knowledge, they are more likely to be able to match a destination with your expectations and desires.

Contact us to be referred to an agent within your area.

Our head office is located in Maun, Botswana.

Postal Address

Kwando Safaris P.O. Box 550 Maun Botswana

Physical Address

Kwando Safaris Airport Road Newtown Maun

Contact Details

Tel: +267 686 1449 Emergency Number: +267 7211 0506 Fax: +267 686 1457

Email: [email protected]

Botswana has been in a nationwide lockdown from 2nd April. There will be no staff in the office to answer phone lines and the emergency number (which is used for when guests are travelling) will also be disabled during this period. All queries will ONLY be dealt with via email. Additionally, please understand that due to a skeleton staff working remotely to process each booking case by case, there will be a delay in response. We do however aim to respond to you as quickly as humanly possible. Thank you for your understanding in this period.

International Arrivals

For international flights, (via Airlink or Air Botswana) most guests access the camps from Maun, Kasane or Victoria Falls. Reaching your safari camp of choice often involves travelling long distances over regions with little or no transport infrastructure.

While some safari camps are accessible by vehicle, the only practical way to reach many is by light aircraft.

Light Aircraft Transfers With Moremi Air

Kwando Safaris' sister company, Moremi Air , is responsible for flying our guests in and out of Kwando Safaris camps. These charter flights are also offered to guests during their stay or as part of their transfers.

All flights have a strict baggage weight restriction of 20 kgs (including limited hand luggage) per guest in soft bags. Excess luggage may result in an additional charge or may not accompany guest on the same flight. Guests with heavy camera equipment should ensure that arrangements are made for transfers prior to arrival.

Download Moremi Air's Luggage & Weight Restrictions here .

Vehicle Access To Camps

Tau Pan and Nxai Pan camps are both accessible for self-drive guests. Tau Pan is quite remote and not recommended for those inexperienced at driving in the wilderness. Your travel specialist will be able to provide appropriate advice on vehicle types and suitability for your driving experience.

Once at camp, guests are expected to join activities on company game drive vehicles.

Helicopter Transfers

Helicopters are available for charter when staying in camp for scenic 'hops' which offers spectacular aerial photographs and adds a new dimension to your safari experience.

Early booking for helicopter transfers is essential to avoid dissapointment.

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Whether you want to charter a flight or just book seats, Safari Air can get you to the far-flung camps and lodges of northern Botswana safely and in style.camps and lodges throughout northern Botswana. The company, which was established in 1987, operates a mixed fleet of Cessna C208 (Caravan) aircraft, Quest Kodiak 100 as well as Gippsland GA8 Airvans. These aircrafts are ideally suited for operating from the remote airstrips of the Okavango Delta and Chobe. Safari Air’s operations base is in Maun, at the heart of Botswana’s safari industry.

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Introduction, air botswana, helicopter horizons, wilderness air, contact hatab.

Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana Private Bag 00423, Botswana Email:   [email protected] Tel:  +267 395 7144 Fax:  +267 390 3201

Join today and enjoy the many benefits of being a HATAB member. For more details click here >

HATAB campsites are solely reserved for HATAB Mobile Safari Operators registered in Botswana.  For more information with regards to bookings please click here >

HATAB Head Office

Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana Tel: +267 395 7144 Fax: +267 390 3201 [email protected]

Maun Booking Office

Tribal Plot 529, Maun Mopane Road, French Connection Tel: +267 686 0143 Cell: +267 7135 0954 [email protected]

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The gateway to the Okavango

Maun is the known as ‘the gateway to the Okavango’ providing the closest access for travellers to the major safari destinations in the region and will usually feature at the start or end a Botswana itinerary. Most visitors will simply pass through Maun Airport on their way to the safari camps but increasingly this is a destination which is attracting longer stays. There are a number of accommodation options here which work well for a night or two for those who wish to recover from long journeys before starting their safari. Or perhaps to extent their trip with a few nights after their safari. Maun is a small and friendly town built around the safari industry with a strong sense of place, and this is often preferred to Johannesburg as a place to rest before your safari.

Maun International Airport is serviced by daily flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town. All onward charter flights to the Okavango safari camps will be scheduled to connect with the arrival of these daily fights. For those coming from Gaborone, the capitol, there are daily flights with Air Botswana too, but these are often scheduled too early or late to connect with the Okavango flights so please speak to us for more information on this.

Maun’s name means The Place of Short Reeds and stems from the Bayei for “short reeds”.  With two major river systems flowing here: the Boronyane from the Okavango Delta to the north east and the Thamalakane, from the north west, there are distinctly Delta qualities in Maun with mini floodplains and beautiful ancient riverine forests.  Maun is an oasis in this part of the Kalahari.

The Boronyane River (shortened locally to Boro) is fed by the Okavango’s floodwater on the west side of Chief’s Island and  connects with the Thamalakane River in Maun.  The Thamalakane River is fed by the Gomoti and Santantadibe channels on the east side of Chief’s Island and flows through Maun where it splits in two: the Boteti River and the Nhabe River.

The River systems here are mainly dependent on the floods of the Okavango flowing down from the north, though are also affected by local rainfall.  There are times when they are in permanent flow and also when they recede, with only pools remaining.  The dynamic phenomenon of the Okavango dictates the rise and fall in water levels all the way to Ngami Lake and through to the southerly Central District.  However, no matter how high the water levels or how strong the flow is, the Okavango-fed waters eventually drain into the Kalahari sands, never reaching an ocean.

Mobile safari itineraries and self-drive guests use Maun as a base with the connecting tar roads to Namibia in the west and Nata (for Kasane) to the East.  Travellers heading towards Moremi Game Reserve and further north to Savute or to The Central Kalahari or the Pans will need 4×4 transport and specialist planning due to the sandy – and sometimes flooded – terrain.

Most safari companies have their headquarters here and provisions are sent to remotely located camps and lodges.  All manner of enterprises have sprung into existence in Maun to support the safari tourism industry, creating vital employment and business opportunities for many Batswana (people of Botswana).  The logistics involved in operating in these isolated locations are as challenging as they are complex.  Weather, road conditions and floodwater levels are just some of the factors taken into consideration.   Increasingly, local produce from Botswana will feature in your meals with tremendous efforts placed on positive farming development.  No easy task when most of the country is arid desert!

Overview of Accommodation

There is accommodation to suit every budget and taste in Maun.  From the camper to the discerning traveller, there are plenty of options.  However, this is a popular and increasingly busy destination so advanced booking is essential.  Spending a night on arrival before starting your safari “proper” does allow for time to catch one’s breath and overcome any time differences.  Lodges on the rivers, as well as in town are easily accessed.  Most will offer transportation from and to Maun airport or can be booked in advance for you.

Overview of Activities

A wide range of Okavango-oriented activities are on the doorstep.  Taking an aerial, scenic flight over the southerly part of the Delta is a fantastic way to photograph Big Game and classic Botswana species.  By fixed wing aircraft or helicopter, the experience is thrilling and rewarding as pilots navigate you to areas where game concentrations are highest.  You may even see Rhino, who have been reintroduced to the Okavango region.

When water levels permit, activities on the rivers in Maun and closer to the Okavango include 1-2 hour boat cruises, day-long mokoro or motorboat cruises.  For those wanting to experience the wilderness on a very personal level, multi-day mokoro and boating safaris are an adventurous option.

Unique to Botswana are the mokoro activities.  These fibreglass, eco-friendly and strong replicas of the traditional local dug-out canoe provide a beautifully quiet way to observe the Delta and inhabitants.  Gliding along, with the aid of your poler, this is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Delta’s ecosystem.  Tiny aquatic creatures including Dragonflies, Reed Frogs and lily-hopping beetles can be studied and photographed without disturbance to them or their habitat.  Watching close up the Pied Kingfisher hover, then dart into the water to fish, or the stunning and colourful Malachite Kingfisher, balancing on a reed stalk are fascinating to watch.  Hippo in deeper lagoons and channels may be viewed and other animals as they come to the water’s edge.  A mokoro activity is highly recommended as water levels permit.

On dry land, those short on time, but keen to view track and find the Big 5 from a vehicle, can take a day trip into Moremi Game Reserve.  This “mini safari” means an early departure from Maun (around 5am) and returning after dark in an open vehicle.  Despite Botswana’s mainly warm climate, early mornings and evenings can get chilly, so appropriate warm safari clothing is essential.

The early start will be most rewarding with opportunities of seeing Moremi’s great array of animal and birdlife.  Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, Kudu, Zebra, Warthog, Red Lechwe, Buffalo and Wildebeest are very likely to be seen and pools with honking Hippo and cruising Crocodile will provide a lovely backdrop to your picnic lunch.  Aquatic and land-based birds typical of the Delta environment abound: Goliath Herons, Wattled Cranes, Open-Billed Storks, Bee-eaters, Kgori Bustards and possibly even Ostrich in the drier backcountry are resident year round.  Summer (Oct-April) will bring migratory species including Yellow-Billed Kites, Woodland Kingfishers and Paradise Fly-Catchers.  All types of other African animals could be seen: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog, African Wild Cat, Spotted Hyena and perhaps even Aardwolf will show themselves.  Here, the animals have absolute “right of way”.  Anything can happen at any time – and it does!

Horse-riding enthusiasts are treated to a fabulous option – exploring Maun’s rural cattle posts and game reserve, just 12kms from the town’s centre.  The riding is suitable for every level of rider from complete beginner to the experienced jockey.  Rides are tailored to your ability, from a one hour reserve ride to full day picnic lunch ride.  A rare opportunity to get close to some of Africa’s larger, but gentle animals including Giraffe, Eland, Kudu, Springbok, Impala and Zebra.

Meals & Dining

If staying in Maun, or even if passing through, you will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of restaurants, bars and lodges.  Asian tastes are catered to with three Indian/Chinese restaurants in the town centre.  Supporters of the Continent can enjoy French or Italian cuisine.  For those looking for some Botswana beef, local produce is available in most of the Lodges in town or along the riverside, where pub-style fayre, vegetarian and even vegan dishes feature.  A vibey café scene in and around Maun offers fresh salads, homemade breads, organic and healthy fruit juices, cocktails and coffee in hip surroundings.  Local stallholders serve up delicious traditional foods: bream from the Okavango, beef and oxtail stews with “fat cakes”, dumplings, rice or mealie pap.  There is even a flavour of Central America with a roadside Mexican foodstall.  The food scene here is booming!

Accommodation in this Area

Gray’s Eden is a new luxury boutique hotel in Maun offering the perfect beginning or end to any safari itinerary. Located on the seasonal Thamalakane River just 10 minutes from Maun Airport, the hotel offers a quiet and intimate retreat with a focus on impeccable service. Set to open in July 2024, Grays Eden will feature Maun's first wine cellar and promises to showcase food and beverage as a key component of its appeal.

The Sedia Hotel

Immersed in mature gardens on the banks of the Thamalakane River, the Sedia Hotel offers a comfortable and affordable base in Maun before or after your safari. Simple but comfortable rooms look out on to beautiful gardens. The hotel has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and is pleasant terrace restaurant and pool are popular with locals and visitors alike. The hotel is located just 20 minutes from the Airport with a number of nice dining options nearby.

Thamalakane River Lodge

Thamalakane River Lodge has a lovely setting on the river, just 20 kms from Maun, is a peaceful spot for an overnight before or after your safari. The Lodge truly embraces its riverside setting. Tranquil riverfront gardens are rich in succulents and a sculpted waterfall feature built into the bankside. With a range of comfortable room options, a restaurant and swimming pool, Thamalakane River Lodge is a good option for a night or two in Maun.

Little Pan Camp

Little Pan Camp is situated on an island in the Thamalakane River, just on the outskirts of Maun, the gateway to the Okavango. Declared as Okavango’s first botanical garden, this little gem of a tented camp is full of character and a tranquil start or end to any safari. A friendly atmosphere with great focus on hospitality, privacy and remarkable food.

Bush Ways Safaris

The long established Bush Ways Safaris provide a variety of mobile safari adventures across northern Botswana and the Okavango Delta. Bushways offer three mobile safari types, semi participation, fully serviced and accommodated safaris, covering a variety of itineraries and provide a cost effective way of visiting northern Botswana. Bush Ways Safaris also offer private and tailored safaris.

Letaka Fully Serviced Tented Safari

Providing the Okavango Delta’s premier mobile safaris, Letaka Safaris provides trips right across the region. Operating since 2000, this excellent outfit has established itself as a market leader in mobile safaris in Botswana, offering a full range of itineraries on a scheduled departure basis. Letaka stand out for the excellent levels of guiding, comfortable camps and service. In addition to their excellent standard itineraries they also offer specialist birding safaris.

Thamo Telele

One of the loveliest places to stay in Maun, Thamo Telele lies on the Thamalakane River and has the distinction of being Maun’s only private game reserve. Though only 12 kms from the Airport, Thamo Telele is a haven of peace in the wilderness, the perfect stop-over before or after your safari. Close encounters with the resident giraffe herd are a highlight, as well as game drives, bush walks and horse riding.

Pride of Africa – Mobile Safaris

With over 16 year of experience, Pride of Africa - Mobile Safaris offer a wide variety of safaris both in Botswana and Namibia. As well as mobile and lodge-based safaris, they also offer innovative boating safaris in the Okavango Delta, from north to south, staying on uninhabited islands along the way.

Maun Lodge is centrally located and overlooks the Thamalakane River. Just 5 minutes from the airport it makes an extremely convenient and affordable stop for an overnight in Maun before or after a safari. The Lodge caters to a wide audience, from safari traveller to business and conference delegates. Despite its large size, Maun Lodge is a relaxed and friendly option. It is well equipped with a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and gym.

Concessions

A guide to the Okavango Delta concessions

Other Areas To Explore

Abu concession (ng26), boteti river and western makgadikgadi, chitabe and sandibe concession (ng31), chobe national park, duba concession (ng23), gomoti concession, jao concession (ng25), jedibe concession (ng24), khwai community concession (ng19), khwai private reserve (ng18), kwando concession (ng14), kwara concession (ng20), kwedi concession (ng22), linyanti reserve (ng15), makgadikgadi salt pans, mapula and sekwana concession (ng 12), mashatu, tuli block, moremi game reserve, moremi game reserve private concession (ng 28), nxai pan national park, pom pom concession (ng 27a), ranns concession (ng30), savute (savuti), selinda reserve (ng16), shinde concession (ng21), south east okavango (ng32), south west (ng29), the kalahari, the panhandle & tsdodilo hills, victoria falls, xaxaba concession (ng 27b), experience the okavango delta.

Contact us for more information and to start planning your Okavango safari

Trust A Local

Place Category: Air Travel

Safari Air is an air charter service that was established in 1989 and have a proven safety record. The airline works closely with their sister company Desert & Delta Safaris who run a number of lodges throughout Botswana.

Safari Air’s fleet includes the single engined Airvan GA8, Cessna Grand Caravan C208B, Cessna Caravan C208A and a gorgeous Quest Kodiak 100. The airline offers seat in plane rates to the major tourist destinations in Botswana including Chobe National Park, the western Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and the Savute Region. When travelling with Safari Air, please keep in mind that luggage restrictions are in place. Please get in touch with the airline for details.

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Your Flying Safaris Starts in the Skies

Our Collective

Melissa Siebert

Wilderness Air Pilot Sam O’Donovan Shares the Thrills of Flying Africa 

Our aviation partner, Wilderness Air (WA), celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, growing from flying just one light aircraft out of Maun, Botswana, to now operating a fleet of 29 aircraft in four countries. Safety, seamless service, and an outstanding team of pilots are WA’s hallmarks.

In June I was lucky enough to fly with WA pilot Sam O’Donovan – wangling my way into the Cessna Grand Caravan’s co-pilot’s seat – en route from Maun to Botswana’s Linyanti Wildlife Reserve. We chatted a bit in the cockpit, he pointing out landmarks along the way and telling me to look for elephant gathering at the pans far below.

I learned that he’s from Christchurch, New Zealand, worked as a flight instructor in New Zealand and Australia, and has been flying for Wilderness for nearly seven years. But safety concerns and the roar of the engine ruled out too much talk. So I caught up with Sam soon afterwards – to find out more about life as a WA pilot…

How and when did you start flying, and what made you want to fly?

I was 14 when I had my first instructional flight. I remember doing max rate turns (high-speed turns) over my house at the time and thinking that was pretty cool. I have no family history in aviation except for a distant relative who was a WW2 fighter pilot – he was shot down over Europe.

I always wanted to be a pilot from a young age. My earliest memories are with my dad watching planes land at the airport. I did most of my flight training on the south island out of Christchurch International, a busy airport with lots of traffic. The flight school was called the International Aviation Academy of New Zealand and was part of the Canterbury Aero Club, a flying club that has been around since 1928.

What have been the highlights of flying for Wilderness Air, and working for Wilderness?

Far too many to tell. Without a doubt, the wildlife that we see. It’s awesome hearing elephants and lions at night whilst you sleep in camp. Or having animals close to the runway when landing and taking off. I have had wild dogs and lions often appear on the runway, which is always a kick. I once had a leopard make a kill and drag the carcass under my room, only to find out the following morning that I was sleeping above her. She was still there when I went back to have a look. I've been lucky enough to fill several memory cards on my camera since I first started at Wilderness Air. Flying over the Victoria Falls is a great experience too – that never gets old. I have been fortunate enough to do some work in Namibia and Zimbabwe as well, and the scenery there is second to none.

Have you had any close calls in the air?

Plenty – with marabou storks and other large birds. They'll make a great mess if you ever hit one of them. Animals running out on the runway at the last moment can also require you to think quickly. The Okavango Delta can be a very busy bit of airspace, as well as around Maun, but if you're paying attention and keeping yourself situationally aware then you'll be fine. Always look outside.

What are some of the challenges of flying over Botswana (the Linyanti and Okavango)?

The heat would have to be one of the biggest challenges. The aircraft loses performance when it is hot due to the lack of air molecules flowing through the engine or over the wings. Take-offs can be longer and slower as a result. The wet season is also challenging as we fly around huge thunderstorms. They cause violent updrafts and downdrafts. Heavy rain can soak a runway as well, leaving it very slippery. I've seen four-tonne aircraft slip and slide if you're not careful. Animals are also a constant threat to our operation, but Wilderness is the only company in the Delta that has guides on the ground with radios to let us know of potential runway incursions as they happen. It helps us mitigate those hazards safely. The Grand Caravan is the perfect aircraft for flying in Botswana. We have also modified ours to take increased weight, with bigger bush tyres to help with the runways.

What are some of the special aspects of flying over them?

Flying over the Okavango is something special. From someone that's seeing the Delta for the first time, to someone like myself who sees it every day, there's always something to look at, take an interest in. It's always amazing to see the water flow through the Delta during the inflow – my favourite time of the year to fly, seeing palm trees, animals enjoying the water, and riverways being formed over the dry landscape. Spotting fish eagles in the trees or crocodiles warming themselves on the sandbanks are cool things to look out for. You honestly never know what you're going to see over the Delta or Linyanti; I hate to admit it, but I probably spend more time looking down and out the window than at my instruments. The Linyanti is very different to the Okavango, but equally as impressive. Flying low over the Linyanti in the dry season, particularly in October, is amazing. Along the Savuti Channel or Linyanti swamp systems you'll see literally thousands upon thousands of elephants.

Do you always fly using GPS? I guess you can't in a storm, right, as in the rainy season? What happens then in terms of navigation?

Our primary source of navigation is GPS. We use other instrument aids as backups, such as VORs (VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range systems, which guide planes via radio signals) – but at the end of the day we are a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) operation, therefore we need to fly by sight. We train all our new pilots in the Delta to fly using rivers and other features, in the event that GPS fails. That said, our GPS will still function fairly well in wet conditions. We also utilise a rain radar which helps detect storms and the strength of rainfall inside them. If the radar picks up a dark purple colour, it’s best to give that storm a wide berth.

What landmarks do you use, when not relying on GPS?

In regards to waterways that are key features to navigate from, working left to right across the Delta we have the Kiri, Boro, Santantadibe, and Gomoti rivers. They are all seasonal and flow differently each year depending on annual inundation levels. The Khwai/Xakanaka floodplain normally always has some water. That water then flows into the Khwai River, an area with lodges and plenty of game.

The Savuti Channel, where Wilderness Savuti is located, is a river that flows from the Linyanti swamps through the channel and tries to push as far up into the Savuti Marsh/Mababe Depression as it can. This river system is quite mysterious, and can stop for years at a time and restart without notice. It currently has water in it.

The Chobe River is further downstream of the Linyanti Marsh. This river floods every year and has a close relationship to the Zambezi, which it flows into. We use the Chobe River to navigate with when flying up to Kasane.

The Linyanti and Okavango Delta are linked together by a spillway system known as the Selinda Spillway, which flows from the Delta side first.

The Okavango Delta eventually drains into the Thamalakane River in Maun, which sits along a faultline before flowing to the Boteti towards the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans or Lake Ngami. It’s important to note that the water that flows through the Delta will never reach the ocean, whereas the Linyanti river systems’ water has a better chance, flowing past Lake Liambezi, through the Chobe River, then outwards via the Zambezi, over the Victoria Falls, towards Lake Kariba, on to Lake Cahora Bassa in Mozambique and eventually into the Indian Ocean.

Please describe how the different seasons affect flying over Botswana.

Summer Season (December to April): Large thunderstorms, very green, and good visibility. Animals are fewer as the water is now abundant. Runways can be quite wet, and we generally have to fly low below cloud, or in certain cases quite far off course around storms to get to the destination. We often divert to other airstrips and wait for the storms to pass, usually quickly. It's amazing flying past columns of rain all around the aircraft. It’s my favourite time of the year to fly – and if you ask any Wilderness pilot, I'm sure they'll say the same.

Dry (Winter) Season (May to November): Nice and cold in the winter, good performance from aircraft, and lots of animals, so you need to be vigilant around runways. As it starts to warm up, there won't be any rain for about four months or so. It becomes incredibly hot and hazy. It's a great time to visit Botswana but a tougher time to fly; it can get a little rough due to thermal activity. As it gets hotter it gets more challenging to fly the aircraft in terms of performance, but the lack of thunderstorms makes it a quicker journey from A to B.

What are the routes you currently fly, and in what aircraft?

I fly the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan as Check Pilot and Training Captain. The aircraft has 14 seats, including two pilots' seats. It is powered by a Canadian Pratt & Whitney Turbo Prop Engine. All of our regions – Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – utlilise the aircraft the same way. Whilst I am based in Botswana, I have been fortunate enough to fly in Namibia and Zimbabwe, two incredibly beautiful places to fly.

We don't fly scheduled routes. We will know only the night before what the route is for the following day. We fly where the guests want to fly, which makes the flying more enjoyable as you never know what to expect.

What does your assistant do to help, in the air and on the ground?

My assistant is called a ‘loadmaster’. His name is Gase Moikomiso. He’s from northern Botswana, a village called Beetsha. He helps with loading bags and cargo, as well as assisting during the hot turnarounds, where the aircraft doesn't shut down at some of the bush stops. He’s fully trained in all the ground courses that a pilot and other aviation staff must complete in order to operate for an airline. Courses like dangerous goods, aviation security, and so on. He’s a great guy – I always enjoy my flying and camp overnights with him.

What is it about Botswana, the Linyanti and Delta that you think guests/travellers love? That you love? What does seeing them from the air add to the experience?

Botswana is a unique place. It’s not somewhere like Cancun or Ibiza where you fall out of a budget airline and make your way for a drink by the pool bar. You don't just wind up here by chance. Most people have planned this trip for years. It’s a real bucket-list place to visit. Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Linyanti offer landscapes and animals that you won't find anywhere else on Earth, and people want to experience that. To watch a wild elephant stroll past your game vehicle in silence, or hippos blasting out of the water in the swamps. To hear the crunching of bones on a lion kill, or fish eagles crying. All really exhilarating. I still love all those things, and I'll take my camera to the bush every overnight – because you never know what you'll see there.

I think a view from the air is the best view possible. Many photos of these destinations are taken from above, they’re what attract people to these places as they plan their trip. Not everyone gets to fly on safari – so this is definitely an added touch for Wilderness guests. It also saves a lot of time: a 40-minute flight opposed to a 10-hour overland trip via 4X4.

I really enjoy the guest side to my flying. I try to excite guests as much as possible about their visit. I'll give them a great safety brief, including what to expect along the way, as the flight kick-starts their holiday. I'll tell them to say good-bye to civilisation and then off we go. It’s always amazing to look back in the flight and see every face glued to the windows looking down at the ecosystem below. Some guests with no flying experience are more than welcome to ride in the front, and you'll find a lot of them think it's awesome. We chat about the flight, the aircraft, what we are seeing inside as well as down below. I enjoy showing people my ‘office’ and getting them interested in the aircraft.

It’s hard to tell what guests love the most about visiting the Okavango and Linyanti. Everyone is different. For example, I once stayed at Savuti and I had dinner with two guests from Hong Kong. They had actually won a prize to come to Botswana, so they were pretty lucky. I asked them what they would most love to see, and thought they would answer lions, leopards, rhinos or maybe some rare, exotic bird. They both said they most wanted to see stars. They had both grown up in Hong Kong, and stars were something that they never knew. Botswana is probably one the best places in the world to view the night sky, so I'm sure they got their wish.

Photographs by Melissa Siebert

Let’s plan your next journey

When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.

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Moving between Camps

• Information

An exciting element of your Botswana safari is getting around. Desert & Delta Safaris’ lodges and camps are located, for the most part, in remote areas and our travellers are linked from one camp to the other by means of light aircraft. Ensuring the crucial links from the hubs of Maun and Kasane to our network of lodges and camps is performed with ease; we offer a fully integrated air charter service, operated by our sister company, Safari Air. Established in 1989, Safari Air has a proven safety record in the destination. Safari Air operates a fleet of aircraft in Botswana which include single-engine Gippsland Aeronautics Airvan GA8, Cessna Grand Caravan C208B, Cessna Caravan C208A, as well as the only Quest Kodiak 100 in Botswana.

All of our properties are in close proximity to airfields and some of our lodges have their own private airstrips. 

Unless a private charter is requested and booked as such, your flight transfers have been booked on a ‘seat on plane’ basis. Flight times are arranged according to each day’s requirements to fit in with activities and the movements of all our travellers on any given day. Therefore, aircraft and the day’s scheduling may pick up and drop off other guests en route to your destination. Times will vary from day to day and will be communicated to you the afternoon before departure. Flights to Kasane for the Chobe lodges and for Victoria Falls/Livingstone depart early to meet the scheduled road transfers; so early morning activities for guests departing on these flights could be curtailed. Should you wish, private charters can be arranged, in which case you will be the only guests in the plane and you may specify your departure times. We are happy to quote separately for private charters.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Luggage is restricted to 20 kg per person on Safari Air flights. This 20 kg includes both hand luggage and travel luggage. Bags should be soft sided, flexible bags. Bags with a solid frame do not constitute ‘soft bags’. Bags MUST be completely flexible to facilitate being stowed in the ‘belly pod’ luggage compartment of the light inter-camp transfer aircraft. By not adhering to these luggage requirements, travellers stand to cause delays and incur additional costs to themselves.

COVID-19 Travel Information

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a marked impact on how we travel. The international borders into Botswana are open and our safari camps & lodges are ready to welcome you on safari.

We've put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand what a safari to Botswana is all about and to help you better prepare for your vacation.

What to bring

With the long haul travel and luggage restrictions on the light aircrafts in Botswana, careful planning is essential. We have put together a list of what to bring on your safari to Botswana

Botswana is the ideal destination for your ultimate family safari. Before you travel, there are important requirements which you need to adhere to when travelling with minors.

Health and medical requirements are an important consideration when planning your Botswana safari. t is each guest’s sole responsibility to ensure that he or she has had all necessary inoculations, immunisations and medications prior to departure.

The Botswana landscape changes dramatically through the various seasons in the year with each season offering unique and special safari encounters. We've put together a simple guide to help you plan when to travel.

Bird Enthusiasts

With its varied landscapes and expansive natural wildernesses, Botswana is a haven for the birding enthusiast. We've put together a few highlights on what to expect on your safari.

Landscape & Wildlife

Arguably one of Africa’s best safari and wildlife destinations, Botswana offers vast tracts of unspoilt wilderness’s covering a variety of unique ecosystems, coupled with prolific wildlife encounters throughout your safari.

“ As Botswana's top safari operator, Desert & Delta Safaris is proud to hold several Travel & Tourism Accolades and enjoy a variety of press features. ”

Discovering new horizons for over 25 years

From humble beginnings, Mack Air has grown to become one of the most advanced air charter companies in Southern Africa. Operating in northern Botswana for over 25 years, we have intimate knowledge of the country and can access any runway. This is courtesy of our versatile fleet of over 24 aircraft and a staff complement of over 110 personnel. We offer trustworthy, efficient and personable service, from take-off all the way through to landing.

Latest News

Mack Air Botswana’s Delta Airline – by Andreas Spaeth

Read the featured article by Andreas Spaeth in the January 2024 edition of African Pilot Magazine.

Mack Air unveils new Signature Service, elevating luxury safari and corporate travel across Sub-Saharan Africa

PRESS RELEASE – ZIMBABWE | BOTSWANA

Experience Matusadona National Park: A Haven of Wilderness and Wildlife

Experience It Zimbabwe

Matusadona National Park, located in the northern region of Zimbabwe, covers an impressive 1,407 square kilometers and is a hidden gem often overlooked by travelers.

Passionate, loyal, & knowledgeable staff

All our maintenance is completed in-house with Absolute Aviation, the Textron representative in Southern Africa. This means we uphold the highest quality and control, ensuring our cargo and passengers’ safety. Our relationships with our partners and agents are of the utmost importance. This comes through in all our business dealings

First-class impressions are waiting for you!

We showcase the most modern fleet in Africa with the most Caravans. Our versatile fleet enables us to access austere runways, even in the most remote areas.

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THIS COMPANY …unless you meet their:

• Nationality / Citizenship Requirements
• Qualifications / Experience Needs

International Students : Please do not contact this school regarding Free Pilot Training, Sponsorship, Financial Assistance, or Guaranteed Job Placements.

Financial aid is only available in your own country.

An Oasis in Maun

A lush bush setting overlooking the river.

Located on the banks of the Thamalakane River, Island Safari Lodge is a cool and welcoming oasis in the heart of Maun. Shaded under a huge canopy of large trees, the lodge overlooks the river and floodplain beyond.

Island Safari Lodge is set on a 300 acre private island reserve, just 10 km from Maun Airport. The protected reserve has several walking trails running through the bush, perfect for a nature walk.

Relax by one of the two swimming pools or head to the restaurant and bar for the river view.

With a long history dating back to 1973, Island Safari Lodge has a rich and famous heritage and is a household name in Maun.

"Relaxing and convenient setting on the banks of a picturesque river. A great experience for a reasonable price with one of the best settings around Maun."

Comfortable & Cool Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable chalets and rooms nestled in a lush garden or set up camp in the spacious campsite , shaded by large leafy trees.

Enjoy comfortable accommodation nestled in a lush garden and relaxing dining with river views.

Set up camp in a spacious campsite, nestled under a shady canopy with its own large swimming pool.

Great Value, More to Do

Boat Cruises

Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise viewing the diverse aquatic and bird life.

Mokoro Excursions

Glide through the Okavango Delta in a traditional dugout canoe.

Exciting day excursions bring you close to nature in lush wildlife areas.

Island Trails

Explore the 300 acre island reserve along three bush trails.

Guided drives through the island in an open go-cart type vehicle.

Exciting Mobile Safaris Into the Wild of Botswana

Island Mobile Safaris offers exciting excursions and mobile safaris into the wild of botswana.

Enjoy thrilling day trips to the Okavango and Moremi by boat, mokoro and vehicle.

Immerse yourself in the African bush on a mobile safari, the ultimate way to experience the natural grandeur of Botswana.

Featured Mobile Safaris

Moremi heritage safari, 11 day adventurer safari, okavango encounter – mokoro excursion, adventurer safari – south bound.

Experience the breathtakingly vast and diverse ecosystems of Botswana.

From the immense Okavango Delta to the vastness of the world’s largest wildlife areas between Chobe National Park and the Central Kalahari, Botswana is a world of wonders.

The astoundingly prolific wildlife of Botswana makes it the premier safari destination in Africa.

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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 195 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview , the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma , the latest version of macOS that Apple released in September 2023.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser . Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website .

Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

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