The Patronage System
Making Air Rescue Possible
Providing a fully equipped Emergency Helicopter in Botswana—including pilot, doctor, call centre and 24/7 readiness—requires the equivalent of 30 flying hours per month at a rate of P12,500 per hour. In rural, low-density areas like Botswana, this level of utilisation is impossible to achieve, even though helicopters are essential for rapid medical response.
A Sustainable Solution
Instead of relying on high flight rates or government subsidies, the Patronage System invites the public to support air rescue through an affordable annual contribution:
- P150 for Citizens and Residents
- P175 for Tourist
Your Patronage is valid for 12 months from the date of payment and helps keep life-saving helicopter services ready when they are needed most.
Small Contribution –
Big Impact
The cost is less than two soft drinks per month, yet it directly supports emergency helicopter availability across Botswana’s remote regions.
To fully fund operations—about P4.5 million per year—approximately 30,000 Patrons are required. This is challenging in low-population areas, which is why the system also relies on additional revenue streams.
Your support helps ensure fast, professional air rescue for everyone in Botswana.
- It relies on the payments received from the Insurance Companies for rescues flown. The Patronage System is not in place to relieve the Insurance a Patron has, from rightfully paying for a rescue. The Patronage Fee is in place, to keep "the tool", which the Insurances worldwide need to use once in a while, airborne.
- It relies on the more privileged Patrons to make a larger contribution than the yearly minimal fee.
- It relies on revenue generated from Primary Health Care Contracts OAR offers for Staff in remote locations of Safari Camps, Mines and Schools.
- It relies on revenue generated for Government approved First Aid Courses, which Okavango Air Rescue provides both in Maun and on location, where ever in the Delta or the Kalahari......
To keep our service airborne join us and become a Patron of Okavango Air Rescue now!