Epic skydiving boogie in Makgadikgadi
Thalefang Charles | Friday July 25, 2014 16:05
Dubbed the Makgadikgadi Epic 2014, this is the first ever international sky dive boogie hosted by Sky Dive Botswana and sponsored by Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO). The three-day event which kicks off from August 15 will be held at the Nata Sanctuary in the Makgadikgadi Pans next to Nata village. According to the event organiser, Garai Makaya from Sky Dive Botswana, sky dive boogie is a big convention of licensed skydivers who perform various jumps and stunts. “It is going to be three days of epic skydiving in one of Africa’s last great un-spoilt wilderness that is Makgadikgadi Pans,” said Makaya. He told Mmegi Sport that the event is aimed at establishing sky diving as a sport in Botswana. He said skydiving is a fully licensed sports code under Parachute Association of Botswana (PAB).
“We also hope to promote adventure sport tourism with this event. Just like Khawa Dune Challenge, which is all about motorsport, Makgadikgadi Epic aims to assist in tourism diversification by promoting sky diving as adventure sport,” said Makaya.
“We are expecting number of foreign skydivers from South Africa and Namibia. At least 55 visiting skydivers have registered to make the trip.” At the Makgadikgadi Epic, skydivers will perform numerous stunts, formations, accuracy jumping and canopy piloting from three airplanes namely Atlas Angel, Cessna Caravan C208 and Tailgate CASA 235
Makaya said the highlight would be a national record 16-man formation by local skydivers. He said the public would have a chance to participate in the thrilling adventure through tandem skydiving.
Other public activities include quad bike rides, boat rides, nature walks and bird watching at the Nata Sanctuary. There would be a tented village for the general public offering accommodation and ablution facilities.
Makaya advised members of the public to visit their Facebook page ‘Skydive Botswana Boogie: Makgadikgadi Epic 2014’ for more information on the event.