How would you’re taking an island drone trip? Should you work within the drone trade, you may even be capable of 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 shall 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 rest. Over the course of six days, Vandenhecke will present you the perfect drone spots on the island of Mauritius, serving to you to enhance your drone pictures by means of dwell workshops within the subject. Then, you’ll head again to the personal villa for composition and modifying workshops.
Apart from 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 in your personal flight there. You possibly can enroll by means 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 obtainable within the first week (although there are all 5 spots nonetheless obtainable 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 means of October 1. The second journey (5 spots left) runs October 2 by means of October 8.
That’s superb to make the most of what most specialists think about is the perfect 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 be capable of 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 pictures. He takes aerial images for rent, he runs a web-based drone class referred to as Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ (which I occur to contemplate the greatest 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 reminiscent of DJI, Land Rover, Jaguar, Atlantis Dubai, 4 Seasons resorts and is a member of Superb 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 greatest drone for skilled photographers).
As a result of Vandenhecke works as a contract photographer himself, he’ll additionally be capable of supply up enterprise tips about the journey. In truth, his personal Drone Adventurer Masterclass+ on-line course covers not simply pictures itself, however how you can work with manufacturers and how you can negotiate. He’s additionally constructed up a beneficial useful resource library of digital merchandise like e-mail templates for making drone-specific enterprise contacts.
The place is Mauritius, and is it price visiting?
You already know these beautiful resorts with overwater bungalows that provide scuba diving in crystal clear, turquoise waters? These beautiful, paradise holidays as a rule happen within the Indian Ocean, which is residence 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 desire 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 received luxurious resorts which might be nonetheless reasonably priced, plus loads of stuff to do together with dwell leisure, world-class golf programs, and family-friendly activites.
Mauritius additionally has robust, optimistic 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 all 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 of 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 automotive 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 photograph 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 likewise want to seek out time to get off work!). So, I can’t converse 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 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 beautiful. You’ll in a lovely luxurious villa with a pool and ocean view — and there’s a non-public chef to prepare dinner for you. Whereas not a assure, count on to see wildlife together with loads of spinner dolphins and — should 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.
Should you’re primarily based within the U.S. and fly drones for work, you could possibly take the journey as a tax deduction (although seek the advice of with a tax legal professional or accountant earlier than you do). Sometimes although, in case your journey is deemed mandatory, takes you away out of your tax residence longer than an strange day’s work and that you must sleep away from residence, you may qualify to deduct your journey bills. You possibly can deduct bills like airfare, prepare 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 may 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 e-book the Mauritius drone journey, e-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 best way!).
And don’t overlook to get happening renewing your passport (or making use of for a brand new passport, if that is the primary time in another country, as U.S. passport processing instances are longer than ever)
