Day 3

Hartebeespoort – Pilanesberg – Francistown - Nata

384 NM – 712 Km

A long day, clearing customs at Pilanesberg and Francistown. Paying landing fees, filing flight plans, working out group dynamics, distances and times, fuel stops etc, everybody fairly exhausted by the time we ended at Nata lodge.  Very nice place, great meal, friendly people, nice tented accommodation.

Day 4

Nata – Maun

155 NM – 286 km

Late departure, fixing flat wheel on Colins plane, re-fueling etc.

Some nice flying over the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans.  Bumpy.  Loraine sick!  Problems getting people to and from the airfield! Thank goodness Winandi  (Fokker Daughter ) was on hand to help move people and luggage!  Great to see her again!

Stayed at Island Safari Lodge,  disappointing this time,  food poor,  restaurant service very poor and slow, bad sewerage smells.  Obvious lack of management.  Last time we were there was in 2011, returning from bike trip, was a lot better then!  Or maybe just more appreciative at that stage??????? 

Day 5

Maun to Kasane

198 NM – 368 km

Left early, to try to fly over the Okavango Delta while still cool. Very nice flight, saw tons of game, large herds of ele, buff, hippo plainsgame etc.  Fantastic views of the Delta and Chobe river.  Bumpy most of the way, with a 15 kt headwind, so felt sorry for the slow guys.

Booked into Thebe Safari lodge, nice and clean, if a bit basic, and unfortunately not great river views. Hoping to catch up with laundry, have a rest, possibly visit Vic falls Chobe game reserve etc.

Flying groups seem to have worked out well, with a few minor growls, but everybody enjoying the flying, but I think looking forward to a break.  Apparently two of the guys had a nearish miss with a Caravan, they were flying at the incorrect altitude.  Filed for flight levels and then went to the wrong level and apparently an incident report has been filed in Maun.

Distance covered so far – 1256 NM – 2326 km.  Not halfway yet!!  We have put in about 170 l of fuel, and need about another 75 to top up now, so not bad.  The 2 Slings are performing faultlessly, extremely comfortable, and what a great plane to fly long distance!!!!!!