Drone uses in Tanzania

Regulations for drone use in Tanzania

Drone laws are constantly changing. In late 2018, Tanzania introduced new rules governing drone use.

All drones in the country must now be registered. To fly a drone in Tanzania, one must comply with Tanzania’s drone regulations.

Below are the rules to follow.

General Tanzania Drone Laws

Drone use with the required permits is allowed in Tanzania.

Operators who have obtained a permit must ensure that they follow the following drone laws when flying in Tanzania,

• Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds.
• Respect others’ privacy when flying your drone.
• Do not fly your drone over airports or in areas where aircraft are operating.
• You must fly during daylight hours and only in good weather.
• Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas, including government or military facilities.
• The use of drones or camera drones in these areas is prohibited

Permit Needed For Recreational Drone Use?

A permit is required for recreational drone use in Tanzania.

Drones (under 7kg) can be operated privately by submitting an application (What Is

Permit Needed For Commercial Drone Use?

Yes, a permit is required for commercial drone use in Tanzania.

Commercial/Professional drones require additional approval from the Ministry of Defense and a company operations manual.

Click here to purchase a permit, or contact the local aviation authority.

We recommend hiring a Tanzanian drone operator for work inside the country, or to

help facilitate your permitting and importation into Tanzania.

Bringing Your Drone On Airplanes Guide

For a detailed guide to bringing your drone on airplanes, click here. All drones should be brought on carry-on luggage if possible.

This is because, under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable only for losses up to approximately $1,000 USD.

When traveling internationally, theft and lost luggage are common, especially on multi-stop flights.

If your drone is valued at more than $1,000 USD and you cannot bring it on board, consider shipping it via DHL, FedEx, or UPS and fully insuring the shipment.

You should NOT place drone batteries in your checked baggage. All drone batteries

should be placed in a Medium Size Lipo Battery Bag, like the one shown here in the link

and brought onto the plane in your carry-on bag.

Lithium-ion batteries are classified as “dangerous goods” by airlines, and regulations governing them on planes are stringent due to multiple incidents of battery fires.

Failure to properly pack lithium-ion batteries in a bag like the one shown in the link above can result in the airline seizing them, imposing a fine, or denying boarding.

Drone Travel Guide

Tanzania’s drone laws are up to date as of March 2022.

Flying drones in Tanzania’s national park.

In your Safari preparation, you may have thought of bringing a drone with you for the aerial shots, right?

But you should ask yourself, are drones allowed in Tanzania’s national park?

The answer is that drones are not permitted in any of Tanzania’s national parks for regular tourists.

However, such permission may be granted if one obtains a permit from the authorities.

Why are drones not allowed inside parks?

This is because they disrupt wild animals and can injure them and other tourists.

Also, drones have often been used by poachers to hunt down animals.

Another reason drones are not allowed in National parks is that their humming noise can disrupt wildlife and may trigger stampedes, which can result in injuries and even death.

What it costs to fly drones in Tanzania’s national park.

For you to fly a drone in National parks, you will need to have a large sum of money that will be paid to the park authorities to ensure the safety of the animals and other tourists while you’re flying your drone.

The park authorities haven’t stated the cost, but it is pretty expensive and is usually reserved for television networks or film crews who can afford it.

If one can afford it, identify additional drone procedures for Tanzania’s national parks.

Where to fly drones in Tanzania?

In addition to national parks, drones are not allowed to fly near airports or within City Limits.

Additionally, you may fly drones in Tanzania as long as you have the required permits and licenses. That’s good news.

Conclusion

As you can see, it is pretty challenging for Tanzanian tourists to fly their drones legally in the country.

We advise against using drones on your safari unless you specifically want aerial footage of the parks.

In this case, our team is here to help you get everything needed for using drones in the country (additional charges will apply for this complex task)

Remember, procedures should be completed before you arrive in Tanzania.

Takeaway

For further information, you can contact the Tanzanian aviation authority.

You can also ask the embassy in your country for more information about the regulations