How would you’re taking an island drone trip? For those who work within the drone business, you would possibly even have the ability to write off this Mauritius drone journey as a enterprise expense.
Belgium-based, award-winning aerial photographer Johan Vandenhecke is internet hosting a six-day lengthy drone picture journey to Mauritius, a shocking, tropical island within the Indian Ocean.
The journey, which can be comprised of a small group of different drone fanatics (there are solely 5 spots complete per journey), guarantees to mix each studying, enterprise, and enjoyable and rest. Over the course of six days, Vandenhecke will present you one of the best drone spots on the island of Mauritius, serving to you to enhance your drone images by means of stay workshops within the discipline. Then, you’ll head again to the personal villa for composition and modifying workshops.
In addition to droning, different extra vacation-type actions are on the docket, together with outside adventures like sundown crusing, waterfall trails and unbelievable mountain peaks, plus a swimming with dolphins tour that includes your drone.
Costs begins at €3,000 (about $3,200 USD) for a 6-day keep, all-inclusive journey. You’ll solely have to pay to your personal flight there. You may join by means of the shape on his web site (and do please let him know I despatched you!).
And join quick. Vandenhecke simply knowledgeable me that there are solely two extra spots accessible within the first week (although there are all 5 spots nonetheless accessible as of this writing within the second week).
When is the Mauritius drone journey?
The Mauritius drone picture journey is being provided on two separate weeks in 2023: the final week of September and the primary week of October.
The primary journey (simply two spots left) runs September 25 by means of October 1. The second journey (5 spots left) runs October 2 by means of October 8.
That’s perfect to reap the benefits of what most specialists contemplate is one of the best time to go to Mauritius, which is from Might to December. Throughout that point, it’s cool, dry and sunny (versus the island’s moist cyclone season from January to March).
And given the autumn departure, you’ll additionally have the ability to escape what’s anticipated to be summer time journey chaos.
Who’s Johan Vandenhecke, and why is he main a drone trip?
Johan Vandenhecke, does all issues drone images. He takes aerial images for rent, he runs a web-based drone class known as Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ (which I occur to contemplate the finest drone picture programs for 2023), and he’s additionally the writer of a number of free drone eBooks. He’s additionally run related drone picture journeys in Iceland and Azores (an archipelago within the mid-Atlantic that’s an autonomous area of Portugal).
Based mostly in Belgium, Vandenhecke has labored with manufacturers similar to DJI, Land Rover, Jaguar, Atlantis Dubai, 4 Seasons inns and is a member of Superb Aerial Company.
His programs, books and ideas are primarily centered round DJI drones — maybe unsurprising given his first private drone was the DJI Mavic Air. He then moved on to the DJI Mavic 2 Professional and in 2023 upgraded to the DJI Mavic 3 Basic drone, which is the cheaper model of the DJI Mavic 3 drone (and my decide for finest drone for skilled photographers).
As a result of Vandenhecke works as a contract photographer himself, he’ll additionally have the ability to provide up enterprise tips about the journey. In actual fact, his personal Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ on-line course covers not simply images itself, however the best way to work with manufacturers and the best way to negotiate. He’s additionally constructed up a worthwhile useful resource library of digital merchandise like electronic mail templates for making drone-specific enterprise contacts.
The place is Mauritius, and is it price visiting?
these beautiful resorts with overwater bungalows that supply scuba diving in crystal clear, turquoise waters? These beautiful, paradise holidays most of the time happen within the Indian Ocean, which is house to tourist-friendly island nations together with the Maldives and Seychelles. Whereas luxurious vacationers usually gravitate towards these two, it’s actually Mauritius that’s the hidden gem of the Indian Ocean to many American vacationers, who have a tendency to offer choice to the opposite, more-luxury minded ones.
And in reality, Mauritius is the most well-liked island within the Indian Ocean. Vacationers flock to the island as a result of its obtained luxurious resorts which might be nonetheless reasonably priced, plus loads of stuff to do together with stay leisure, world-class golf programs, and family-friendly activites.
Mauritius additionally has sturdy, constructive diplomatic relations with the U.S., which had been established in 1968, following the nation’s independence from the UK. Mauritius is taken into account to be one in every of Africa’s most steady and developed economies, which the U.S. State Departments attributes to it having a multi-party democracy and free market orientation. It’s additionally thought-about by the State Division to be an especially protected nation to go to.
The island is simply 45 km (28 miles) in width and 65 km (40 miles) in size, so getting across the island is comparatively straightforward with a rental automobile or by taxis.
Plus, assuming you’re coming from the U.S., it’s not far (comparatively talking) from different locations in Africa, like Kenya or Tanzania, do you have to need to mix your Mauritius drone picture trip with, say, a wildlife safari.
Is the Mauritius drone journey price it?
Now I haven’t been on the Mauritius drone journey myself (I would like $3,200 to e-book it myself, trace trace! And in addition want to seek out time to get off work!). So, I can’t communicate from expertise if it’s price it.
And at €3,000 (about $3,200 USD), the Mauritius drone trip actually isn’t low-cost. However contemplating it’s all-inclusive (apart out of your flight there), it may not grow to be all that rather more than a trip you’d plan your self when you add up particular person out-of-pocket prices like taxis, meals and different incidentals.
The lodging are beautiful. You’ll in a stunning luxurious villa with a pool and ocean view — and there’s a personal chef to prepare dinner for you. Whereas not a assure, anticipate to see wildlife together with loads of spinner dolphins and — when you get fortunate — resident sperm whales or migrating humpback whales.
Plus, he plans every part for you, so it’s stress-free in your finish.
For those who’re primarily based within the U.S. and fly drones for work, you might be able to take the journey as a tax deduction (although seek the advice of with a tax legal professional or accountant earlier than you do). Usually although, in case your journey is deemed obligatory, takes you away out of your tax house longer than an extraordinary day’s work and that you must sleep away from house, you possibly can qualify to deduct your journey bills. You may deduct bills like airfare, prepare fare, taxis, baggage prices, lodge prices and as much as 50% of the price of your meals.
And even when you can’t afford to go on the Mauritius drone trip (or simply don’t have time in your schedule), right here’s one other comfort prize. You would possibly join Vandenhecke’s digital drone class known as Drone Adventurer Masterclass+. Vandenhecke is providing Drone Lady readers $50 off the course utilizing promo code SALLY50.
To e-book the Mauritius drone journey, electronic mail Vandenhecke by means of the contact type on his web site, upon which you’ll have to fill out a secondary type and submit your journey deposit (please let him know I despatched you, by the way in which!).
And don’t neglect to get happening renewing your passport (or making use of for a brand new passport, if that is the primary time overseas, as U.S. passport processing occasions are longer than ever)
