How would you’re taking an island drone trip? In the event you 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 photograph journey to Mauritius, a surprising, tropical island within the Indian Ocean.
The journey, which can be comprised of a small group of different drone lovers (there are solely 5 spots complete per journey), guarantees to mix each studying, enterprise, and enjoyable and leisure. Over the course of six days, Vandenhecke will present you the very best drone spots on the island of Mauritius, serving to you to enhance your drone images by way of reside workshops within the area. 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 unimaginable 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 must pay to your personal flight there. You may enroll by way of the shape on his web site (and do please let him know I despatched you!).
And enroll quick. Vandenhecke simply knowledgeable me that there are solely two extra spots out there within the first week (although there are all 5 spots nonetheless out there as of this writing within the second week).
When is the Mauritius drone journey?
The Mauritius drone photograph 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 way of October 1. The second journey (5 spots left) runs October 2 by way of October 8.
That’s ideally suited to benefit from what most consultants take into account is the very best time to go to Mauritius, which is from Could 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 season journey chaos.
Who’s Johan Vandenhecke, and why is he main a drone trip?
Johan Vandenhecke, does all issues drone images. He takes aerial pictures for rent, he runs an internet drone class referred to as Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ (which I occur to contemplate the finest drone photograph programs for 2023), and he’s additionally the creator of a number of free drone eBooks. He’s additionally run comparable drone photograph journeys in Iceland and Azores (an archipelago within the mid-Atlantic that’s an autonomous area of Portugal).
Primarily based in Belgium, Vandenhecke has labored with manufacturers similar to DJI, Land Rover, Jaguar, Atlantis Dubai, 4 Seasons resorts and is a member of Wonderful Aerial Company.
His programs, books and suggestions 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 Traditional drone, which is the cheaper model of the DJI Mavic 3 drone (and my choose 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. The truth is, his personal Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ on-line course covers not simply images itself, however the way to work with manufacturers and the way to negotiate. He’s additionally constructed up a invaluable useful resource library of digital merchandise like e-mail templates for making drone-specific enterprise contacts.
The place is Mauritius, and is it value visiting?
You realize these gorgeous resorts with overwater bungalows that supply scuba diving in crystal clear, turquoise waters? These attractive, 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 typically 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 provide choice to the opposite, more-luxury minded ones.
And in reality, Mauritius is the preferred island within the Indian Ocean. Vacationers flock to the island as a result of its acquired luxurious resorts which are nonetheless inexpensive, plus loads of stuff to do together with reside 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 among Africa’s most secure 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, must you need to mix your Mauritius drone photograph trip with, say, a wildlife safari.
Is the Mauritius drone journey value it?
Now I haven’t been on the Mauritius drone journey myself (I would like $3,200 to ebook it myself, trace trace! And in addition want to seek out time to get off work!). So, I can’t converse from expertise if it’s value it.
And at €3,000 (about $3,200 USD), the Mauritius drone trip definitely isn’t low-cost. However contemplating it’s all-inclusive (apart out of your flight there), it won’t change into 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 gorgeous. You’ll in a lovely luxurious villa with a pool and ocean view — and there’s a personal chef to cook dinner for you. Whereas not a assure, anticipate to see wildlife together with loads of spinner dolphins and — should you get fortunate — resident sperm whales or migrating humpback whales.
Plus, he plans the whole lot for you, so it’s stress-free in your finish.
In the event you’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 lawyer or accountant earlier than you do). Sometimes although, in case your journey is deemed vital, takes you away out of your tax house longer than an strange day’s work and it is advisable to sleep away from house, you’ll be able to qualify to deduct your journey bills. You may deduct bills like airfare, practice fare, taxis, baggage prices, lodge prices and as much as 50% of the price of your meals.
And even should 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 referred to as Drone Adventurer Masterclass+. Vandenhecke is providing Drone Woman readers $50 off the course utilizing promo code SALLY50.
To ebook the Mauritius drone journey, e-mail Vandenhecke by way of the contact type on his web site, upon which you’ll must 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 overlook to get occurring 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)
