Full-Day Makgadikgadi Pans Helicopter Tour with Kubu Island Aerials

1 Day Round trip from Maun Challenging pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Fly on a scenic helicopter flight over the surreal Makgadikgadi salt flats from Maun International Airport
02 Enjoy aerial views of Kubu Island, a remote granite outcrop dotted with ancient baobab trees
03 Choose an optional doors-off flight for unobstructed, glare-free photography
04 Spot seasonal wildlife, including zebra and wildebeest migration (Jan–Apr)
05 See large flamingo gatherings on the southern pans (Mar–Jun)

Soar over Botswana’s otherworldly Makgadikgadi Pans on an unforgettable helicopter flight. From above, the vast salt flats feel lunar and limitless, revealing shifting seasonal colours, patterns, and wildlife movements across the pans. Depart from Maun International Airport and enjoy iconic aerial views of Kubu Island’s ancient baobabs rising from the white expanse, with chances to spot zebra and wildebeest migration or flamingo gatherings. Choose a doors-off option for a photographer-friendly ride.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Shared

Activity level Challenging

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Maun, Makgadikgadi Pan

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Overview of the Makgadikgadi Pans Helicopter Tours

Makgadikgadi Pans helicopter tours offer a thrilling bird’s-eye view of Botswana’s surreal salt flats. Operated primarily by Helicopter Horizons, these flights range from quick 30-minute flips to multi-hour expeditions. They provide unparalleled vantage points to view the ancient baobab trees of Kubu Island, massive zebra migrations, and seasonal flamingo gatherings

Flights depart from Maun International Airport.

Key Highlights

Doors-Off Flights: For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, unobstructed "doors-off" options are available, allowing for glare-free photography and an immersive sensory experience.
Kubu Island Aerials: Soar over the vast, white lunar-like expanses to spot this remote granite outcrop covered in hundreds of ancient baobab trees.
Seasonal Wildlife: Depending on when you fly, you may witness the annual zebra and wildebeest migration (January to April) or hundreds of thousands of Greater Flamingos painting the southern pans bright pink (March to June).
Sleep-Outs & Transfers: Visitors frequently utilize private helicopter transfers to access remote, fly-in sleep-outs on the pans. This allows you to experience the complete isolation of the desert without spending days driving

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Maun 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Guaranteed Window Seat: Standard configurations ensure every passenger has an uncompromised outward view.
Pilot Commentary: You are equipped with a headset to communicate directly with your pilot, who shares details about the landscape and wildlife below.
'Doors-Off' Modification: Standard flights operate with the doors removed for optimal photography, though they can be left on if requested.
Airport or Departure Taxes: Direct scenic flights originating from Maun or Gweta automatically include standard local departure levies.

What's Not Included

Gratuities: Tips for your pilot and safari ground crew are left to your personal discretion.
National Park Fees: Entry fees for the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park are generally billed separately.
Travel Insurance: Personal medical, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation insurance are not covered.
Lodge Transfers: Ground transfers are excluded unless the flight is booked directly through a participating partner lodge.
Kubu Island Entry Fees: Community conservation levies required to step onto the island are often billed as an extra surcharge.
Heavy Camera Gear Insurance: Damage coverage for personal lenses or cameras used during 'doors-off' flights is your responsibility.
Premium Dining: Multi-course meals or customized catering on the salt pans must be requested and paid for in advance.
Adverse Weather Alternatives: Ground-based replacement activities are not automatically covered if wind or storms cancel your flight.

What to bring

Camera Strap: Non-negotiable for 'doors-off' flights. Loose items will fly out of the cabin.
Warm Layers: Windy conditions make open-door flights cold, even during hot afternoons.
Closed-Toe Shoes: Lace-up sneakers or boots are required to safely board and walk on the salt crust.
Sunglasses with Strap: Protect your eyes from intense pan glare and high-speed rotor wind.
Sunscreen and Lip Balm: High UV reflection off the white pans causes rapid sunburn.
Wide-Brimmed Hat: Must have a chin strap to prevent it from blowing away during ground stops.
Photography and Electronics
Lens Cloth: Fine desert dust kicks up quickly during take-off and landing.
Short Zoom Lens: A 24-70 mm lens is ideal for capturing both wide landscapes and moving wildlife.
Spare Battery: Cold air currents at high altitudes drain battery life faster than usual.
Polarizing Filter: Cuts down the intense white reflection of the salt flats.
Loose Lens Caps: Leave these behind, as high wind speeds will rip them off your camera instantly.
Large Backpacks: Leave these behind, as cabin space is tight. Bring a small, soft-sided waist pack or camera pouch instead.
Plastic Bags: Leave these behind. Botswana bans single-use plastic bags, and they present a severe flight hazard if loose.

Know before you go

Minimum Passenger Requirements: Scenic flights (20 and 30 minutes) require a minimum of two or three passengers to take off. Solitary travelers must buy out extra seats if no other groups join the time slot [helicopterhorizons.com].
Strict Luggage Weight Limits: Helicopters have rigid payload restrictions. Only small, soft-sided daypacks or camera bags are permitted on board. Hard-sided suitcases must remain at your lodge airstrip or airport hangar. [
Passenger Weight Disclosure: You must provide your exact body weight upon booking. The pilot uses this data to calculate the aircraft's center of gravity and safe fuel loads before takeoff.

Logistics