Makgadikgadi Pans Helicopter Scenic Flights
Scenic Flights over the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans from Gweta
"Helicopter Horizons" offers a variety of helicopter flight options over the remote and magical Makgadikgadi Pans, located south of the small town of Gweta. Experience this surreal salt pan system, known for its large seasonal wildlife migrations, from a bird's-eye view on a "doors-off" helicopter flight.
The helicopter tours offered by "Helicopter Horizons" are a perfect addition to your self-drive safari through Botswana. They provide thrilling opportunities to explore one of the largest salt pan systems in the world. Be captivated by the majestic baobab trees, the large herds of zebras, oryx, wildebeest, impalas, and springboks that migrate between the Okavango Delta and the salt pans, as well as the vast flocks of flamingos.
Exploring the pans by vehicle—especially during the rainy season—can be quite adventurous. With a helicopter flight over the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, you can comfortably admire these breathtaking natural spectacles from the sky.
Specifications
The Makgadikgadi Pans
Here you can find our main article on the Makgadikgadi Pans.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are located south of the small town of Gweta in Botswana. These vast salt flats, interrupted only by grassy savannas and a few scattered trees, form a striking and surreal landscape. The name Makgadikgadi means "vast, lifeless land." For those who cherish solitude and silence, this is the perfect place to immerse yourself, as even during touristic peak season, you will encounter very few people, allowing you to fully appreciate the stunning scenery.
With a bit of luck and at the right time of year, you can witness the largest zebra migration outside of Tanzania in the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Salt Pans region. From January to March, zebras, along with wildebeest and other large antelope species like oryx, impalas, and springboks, migrate from the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi Pans to graze on the lush grass. Between March and May, they return to the Delta.
During the African autumn, after the rainy season (from March to June), when the pans are filled with water, up to 250,000 greater and lesser flamingos gather in the Makgadikgadi Pan system to breed - an awe-inspiring spectacle.
One of the highlights of the Makgadikgadi Pans is Kubu Island. In the middle of the flat salt pans, a small granite outcrop covered with ancient baobab trees rises dramatically. This picturesque site was once a sacred place for the local people and still exudes an air of mystery and enchantment today.
Helicopter Tours over the Makgadikgadi Pans
Helicopter Horizons offers "doors-off" helicopter flights over the salt pans. With the helicopter doors removed, guests enjoy an unobstructed view, providing optimal conditions for photography and wildlife observation. Passengers are equipped with headsets and receive informative commentary from Helicopter Horizons' knowledgeable pilots.
Options include shorter flights (20 or 30 minutes) as well as two extended flights featuring a stop at Kubu Island and a visit to the seasonal flamingo colonies.
Flights depart from Gweta Lodge or Planet Baobab.
Overview of the Makgadikgadi Pans Helicopter Tours
- Option 1: "Doors-Off" Scenic Flight (20 minutes)
- Option 2: "Doors-Off" Scenic Flight (30 minutes)
- Option 3: "Doors-Off" Flight with Kubu Island (1 hour, 15 minutes)
- Option 4: "Doors-Off" Flight with Kubu Island and Flamingos (2 hours)
Rates
| 2025 | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
| 01.01.25 - 31.12.25 | 01.01.25 - 31.12.25 | 01.01.25 - 31.12.25 | |
| Makgadikgadi 20 minutes | US$ 265 | US$ 215 | US$ 145 |
| Makgadikgadi 30 minutes | US$ 370 | US$ 305 | US$ 205 |
| Makgadikgadi & Kubu Island | US$ 895 | US$ 895 | US$ 895 |
| Makgadikgadi & Kubu Island & Flamingos | US$ 1350 | US$ 1350 | US$ 1350 |
| Rates per person | |||
Booking enquiry
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