Eagle Island Camp, which is part of Orient Express Safaris in Botswana wanted to differentiate itself from other luxury camps and safaris in the region. Two years ago, the camp was offered the opportunity to provide helicopter safaris. The required licenses took six months to obtain so the excursions kicked off in October 2005.  According to Karl Parkinson, general manager for Orient Express Safaris, no other camp offered that kind of service and “our main goal was to raise the profile of our camp and take safaris to the next level while maintaining consideration for the environment.”

The safaris were a collective effort between the helicopter operator and the camp staff. The challenge was in incorporating the new activity into more traditional safari modes – walking, or dugout canoe safaris.

Initially, the flying safaris were operated as optional 30-minute round trips from the camp. It was then decided to combine the helicopter trip with a boat safari (the camp is in the middle of the Okavango Delta).

Now the excursions involve two groups of four taking either a boat or helicopter and rendezvousing on one of the remote islands in the camp’s concession area. Next year, the camp will include the activity as part of its standard safari experience so clients will not need to pay in extra when in camp.

Parkinson says that, "We are only now beginning to see the tangible ROI – with increased occupancies and publicity. Next year we expect this to peak."  For more information please go to:  http://www.orient-express-safaris.co.za