Belgium-based aerial photographer Johan Vandenhecke is back with his fifth Mauritius drone trip — and this is kind of the ultimate island drone vacation.
The trip runs Sept. 13–19, 2026 — seven days on a little-known yet stunning tropical island in the Indian Ocean. If you enroll, you’ll embark in a small group of just six drone enthusiasts. Over the course of the week, Vandenhecke will take you to the best drone spots on the island, lead live workshops in the field, and host composition and Lightroom editing sessions back at the private villa.
Everything you need to know about the Mauritius drone trip
The 2026 trip runs September 13–19 (7 days, 6 nights). Only six spots are available, so move fast.
This is a fully all-inclusive trip. Your transportation from Mauritius airport (MRU), accommodation, all food and drinks, and the following activities are covered:
- Sunrise and sunset drone shoots at the best locations on the island
- A whale and dolphin watching tour — with your drone
- A sunset catamaran tour
- Waterfall hikes and mountain peaks
- Daily drone coaching in the field
- Composition and Lightroom editing workshops at the villa
The only thing not included is your flight to Mauritius.
Lodging is the same as previous years: a private luxury villa with a pool and ocean view, with a private chef cooking dinner each evening. You’ll choose between a shared room (€3,700) or a single luxury room with a king bed, private bathroom, and ocean-view balcony (€4,300).
Early starts are part of the deal — you’re chasing golden hour light. Expect a 5 a.m. departure for sunrise shoots (hopefully no big if you’re jetlagged anyway!), followed by breakfast on location, then back to the villa for activities, workshops, pool time, and lunch. Afternoons head back out for sunset, then dinner at the villa prepared by the private chef. It’s intense, but all activities are optional if you need a rest day.
Learn more about the Mauritius drone trip here.
Who is Johan Vandenhecke, and why is he leading this?
Vandenhecke is a professional drone photographer and educator from Belgium who has worked with brands including DJI, Land Rover, Jaguar, Atlantis Dubai, and Four Seasons hotels. He’s been running drone photo trips since 2022 — Mauritius, Iceland, the Azores — and this is already the fifth edition of the Mauritius trip alone.
Past participants have ranged from complete beginners to experienced pilots looking for more advanced coaching. One thing that surprised me when I first wrote about this trip: about 60% of participants are women, so if you’ve been hesitant about being the odd one out, don’t be.
Johan also powers the Drone Adventurers Community, which is an online, interactive group that meets for bi-monthly live calls, weekly photo contests and more.
Is Mauritius worth visiting?
Mauritius is genuinely one of the most underrated destinations in the Indian Ocean — stunning beaches, mountain peaks, coral reefs, waterfalls, and the chance to drone spinner dolphins and humpback whales. September sits in the sweet spot of the dry season (May through December), so expect cool, sunny weather rather than the wet cyclone season that runs January through March.
The island is small — just 28 miles wide and 40 miles long — so getting around is easy. And if you’re coming from the US and want to combine it with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, the geography works out nicely.
Is the Mauritius drone trip worth it?
I haven’t been myself (Johan, if you’re reading this, my calendar is wide open in September). But between the all-inclusive pricing, the private villa, the private chef, the small group size, and the caliber of coaching, the value stacks up better than it might look at first glance. Past participants consistently mention rapid skill improvement — one participant noted she went from never flying to confidently flying over the ocean by day one.
If you fly drones for work, it may also be worth talking to your accountant about whether this qualifies as a deductible business trip.
To get all the details and pricing, fill out the interest form on Johan’s website — and tell him I sent you.
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