The Panhandle is the part of the Okavango Delta where the Okavango River runs between permanent lagoons, far to the north-west of Maun. It lies well beyond the reach of the shorter flights, so on the Okavango Delta hub the one way to see it is the full-day trip to Tsodilo Hills, which crosses the whole delta on the way.
The Tsodilo Hills Helicopter Day Trip from Maun flies about 70 minutes each way between Maun and the hills, over the seasonal floodplains, the permanent lagoons of the Panhandle and the river. These are doors-on flights. At the far end you spend 3 hours on a guided walk among the rock paintings with a private local rock art expert, and the whole day takes about 5 hours. It costs from US$1,440 per person, private, minimum 2 guests (US$2,880 for two), with entry fees, refreshments and snacks included.
The crossing is the point of the flight. The route crosses the entire delta, so you see the change from the floodplains near Maun to the lagoons and river channel of the Panhandle in a single trip, and then the same view again in reverse on the way home. Wildlife is likely along the way, but no sighting is guaranteed.
If you would rather fly with the doors off closer to Maun, the floodplains page covers the shorter scenic flights, starting with the Okavango Delta Doors-Off 45-Minute Helicopter Tour.
The day has a simple shape: be ready in Maun, cross the delta and the Panhandle with the pilot’s commentary on the headsets, spend the middle of the day on foot at the hills, and fly back over the same ground. Gratuities are not included.
For a shorter day, the Okavango Delta Helicopter and Mokoro Safari and the Okavango Delta Helicopter Flight and Lodge Lunch combine a flight with time on the ground closer to Maun: a 3-hour mokoro trip in the south-western delta, or lunch at a delta camp after a 40-minute doors-off scenic.
The booking is for your group and the pilot only, with a guaranteed window seat for up to 5 guests, depending on the helicopter. Headsets carry the pilot’s live commentary, in English only, and you can bring a camera bag and equipment on board.
Tours start at the helicopter office opposite the main entrance of Maun International Airport. Bring your passport, which is needed for airport security, and be ready 30 minutes before your start time; the exact start time is confirmed after booking. Pickup can be arranged for some bookings.
Guests over 100 kg, or groups of three or more guests who each weigh over 90 kg, may need a larger helicopter, which may cost extra. Luggage is limited to 20 kg per person in soft bags, and the flights are not suitable for people with altitude sickness.
You can cancel up to 7 days before, for a fee. Flight times are approximate and may change because of weather, air traffic or aircraft maintenance, and the pilot decides on the weather; if no suitable new time or date can be arranged, you get a full refund.
Flights run year-round. To cross the delta and the Panhandle, book the Tsodilo Hills day trip.
Okavango Panhandle aus der Luft: Okavango Delta · Tsodilo Hills Helicopter Day Trip from Maun.