Maun, Botswana. The essential guide.
Join Date: Sep 2015
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Join Date: Nov 2014
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I have a quick question if any of the Maun experts still read this thread.
Would a restricted instructor rating (i.e. an Australian Grade 3, NZ Cat C, Canadian Class 4, EASA restricted instructor etc.) be useful in getting hired assuming you had some instructing experience, or is it not any use to the Maun companies until you've had it upgraded?
Would a restricted instructor rating (i.e. an Australian Grade 3, NZ Cat C, Canadian Class 4, EASA restricted instructor etc.) be useful in getting hired assuming you had some instructing experience, or is it not any use to the Maun companies until you've had it upgraded?
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Humid Dustbowl
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Currently you really only need one thing to get the job and thats 500 TT to get a work permit. Note thats not a company requirement, but one from immigration. Instructor ratings (any type) sweeten the deal for immigration purposes. Companies like anything that make it easier for the new guys to get a work permit.
As far as practically using your instructor rating, unless you end up in a flight school in Gabs, it will be of little practical use. Company line training pilots don't require an instructor rating. After you've been there for some time and have obtained your Bots license after 500 hrs in the Delta, assuming the company requires it, you may do a flight with the CAAB to get check and training approval for your company.
Having said all this, you could have space shuttle time and be the world aerobatic champion but drinking Black Labels at a braai (bbq) is the best way to get a job. Arriving around this time of year, I would say its easier to get a job than Australia or NZ. Not many new pilots looking these days. If you have 500 hrs seriously just go there, will be the best thing you ever did
As far as practically using your instructor rating, unless you end up in a flight school in Gabs, it will be of little practical use. Company line training pilots don't require an instructor rating. After you've been there for some time and have obtained your Bots license after 500 hrs in the Delta, assuming the company requires it, you may do a flight with the CAAB to get check and training approval for your company.
Having said all this, you could have space shuttle time and be the world aerobatic champion but drinking Black Labels at a braai (bbq) is the best way to get a job. Arriving around this time of year, I would say its easier to get a job than Australia or NZ. Not many new pilots looking these days. If you have 500 hrs seriously just go there, will be the best thing you ever did
Join Date: Sep 2014
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hey guys and girls... wildderness air has IR as a mimimum requirement. IR for SE? What about the other companies there - do they require Single Engine IFR? Cant find information on their websites. Cheers
Join Date: May 2006
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In Southern African Air Law (R.S.A., Nam, Bots ...), you need an IR to operate away from base (50NM Radus) commercially if you do not have a certain number of commercial hours (I do not remember the amount, but I think it is 300hrs in commercial air transport, which a fresh pilot from flight school will not hold).
Mainly it is an insurance and safety thing, so that if you inadvertantly experience IMC, you will be able to get yourself and your passengers back into VMC safely.
Mainly it is an insurance and safety thing, so that if you inadvertantly experience IMC, you will be able to get yourself and your passengers back into VMC safely.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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The above is true of Namibia I believe from what my friends flying in Namibia have told me. SA pilots will usually have instrument ratings as well.
I just want to make sure that people who are genuinely planning on going to Maun make the decision based on the most accurate and up to date information. This forum played a major role in my decision to fly in Bots. Best thing I ever did. I previously worked in Maun but have since moved on.
Just be clear on ‘need’ and ‘desired.’ The question is whether you need an instrument rating to work in Botswana. No you do not! Wilderness are asking for one and I would suggest you email the chief pilot directly to clarify their own company requirements. Wilderness operate in different countries and possess different requirements depending on the jurisdiction. Pilots come from all over the world. Some pilots complete an instrument rating as part of their CPL, but many do not.
In Botswana you’re flying on a validation of your home license so as long as you have a CPL you are good to go. I flew with numerous guys who didn’t have one.It wasn’t really a topic of discussion.
Having one might make you feel better in the wet season but it’s not a requirement and no aircraft is IFR equipped! 500+ is the key and that’s all you need. Insurance requirements are company specific but total hours were most important. Instrument rating / instructor rating is another piece of paper to add to the stash when your file appears before the immigration board who grant your work permit.
If you arrive around now, have 500+ hrs your chances of getting a job + work permit are good. Visa processing times vary with the angle of the sun and tides of the moon. In recent times it has only taken a few weeks.
I just want to make sure that people who are genuinely planning on going to Maun make the decision based on the most accurate and up to date information. This forum played a major role in my decision to fly in Bots. Best thing I ever did. I previously worked in Maun but have since moved on.
Just be clear on ‘need’ and ‘desired.’ The question is whether you need an instrument rating to work in Botswana. No you do not! Wilderness are asking for one and I would suggest you email the chief pilot directly to clarify their own company requirements. Wilderness operate in different countries and possess different requirements depending on the jurisdiction. Pilots come from all over the world. Some pilots complete an instrument rating as part of their CPL, but many do not.
In Botswana you’re flying on a validation of your home license so as long as you have a CPL you are good to go. I flew with numerous guys who didn’t have one.It wasn’t really a topic of discussion.
Having one might make you feel better in the wet season but it’s not a requirement and no aircraft is IFR equipped! 500+ is the key and that’s all you need. Insurance requirements are company specific but total hours were most important. Instrument rating / instructor rating is another piece of paper to add to the stash when your file appears before the immigration board who grant your work permit.
If you arrive around now, have 500+ hrs your chances of getting a job + work permit are good. Visa processing times vary with the angle of the sun and tides of the moon. In recent times it has only taken a few weeks.
Elevators, pretty sure aircraft flying in Botswana are IFR equipped.
If you are talking Maun I would still say that there are IFR equipped aircraft, certainly some twins if there are many left and C208's.
Maintained and approved (released for IFR flight) might be a different story.
Not sure a IF ratting in the Delta is as good a insurance policy as it is in other parts of the World, but even if it is expired - it is a good insurance policy to have.
If you are talking Maun I would still say that there are IFR equipped aircraft, certainly some twins if there are many left and C208's.
Maintained and approved (released for IFR flight) might be a different story.
Not sure a IF ratting in the Delta is as good a insurance policy as it is in other parts of the World, but even if it is expired - it is a good insurance policy to have.
Join Date: Sep 2014
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thank for the answers... anyone can give updates about housing and prices?
The numbers from the first page are way out of date. now i find prices for tent per night about 80P. what about food and taxi?
Whats the actual Internet Wifi condition right now at audi camp or old bridge backpackers?
Where to go these days ?
The numbers from the first page are way out of date. now i find prices for tent per night about 80P. what about food and taxi?
Whats the actual Internet Wifi condition right now at audi camp or old bridge backpackers?
Where to go these days ?
Join Date: Jun 2010
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thank for the answers... anyone can give updates about housing and prices?
The numbers from the first page are way out of date. now i find prices for tent per night about 80P. what about food and taxi?
Whats the actual Internet Wifi condition right now at audi camp or old bridge backpackers?
Where to go these days ?
The numbers from the first page are way out of date. now i find prices for tent per night about 80P. what about food and taxi?
Whats the actual Internet Wifi condition right now at audi camp or old bridge backpackers?
Where to go these days ?
Taxis are P4 for a shared taxi and P40 for a private one. Food is imported and can be pricey. Choppies and Spar in town are the local supermarkets. Become friend with the Choppies butcher and you will have cheap fillet steak for days! There is even a Woolworths!
Chilli farm cafe will take the place of Bon Arrivee which is now closed. You can get good coffee and wifi at Chilli. As far as internet and data, get an Orange sim. The cost of data in Botswana’s rubbish phone network will drive you nuts.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bots
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- More than 500 hours TT
- A recently renewed medical
- At least 3x certified copies of every document you can think of (licence, medical, passport, birth certificate, school/ university certificates...). Work permit applications require all documents to be certified in the country of origin now.
- Enough funds to last many months before your first paycheck.
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Amantido
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I've just read the thread starter's message and was wondering if 200 hours could still make me eligible for a positon?
I am 25 years old and got my Frozen ATPL in November and willing to take the plunge and make new experiences.
Not only in Botswana. I am open to options.
I am 25 years old and got my Frozen ATPL in November and willing to take the plunge and make new experiences.
Not only in Botswana. I am open to options.
Banana Joe, years since I have been there but pretty sure the Botswana Government set a 500 hr minimum a few years back.
It will not be flexible and with Ian Khama being a fixed wing and rotary pilot himself I expect he set the minimum for the work permit.
** Can be corrected on the rotary pilot but do know he flew the King Air OB1.
It will not be flexible and with Ian Khama being a fixed wing and rotary pilot himself I expect he set the minimum for the work permit.
** Can be corrected on the rotary pilot but do know he flew the King Air OB1.
Join Date: Jan 2018
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Thanks, for your reply. I was told Namibia might be an option, so I will be doing my homework and try to plan a journey during the hiring season in Namibia and hopefully in the meanwhile find a way to fly and build hours.