South Africa

Travel Tips & Flying Abroad
1

Hi all,

It’s a couple of years now since we were last in South Africa, and since I posted after our last trip

We were back there in November, and I spent a while agonising over whether to take the MP.

In the end I decided not to, and that turned out to be a good decision.

The bulk of the trip was to the Kruger, so like all SANParks National Parks flying there is banned.

We did have some sightseeing days around the Graskop area to the west of Kruger at the start of the trip, and I had thought that would be an ideal place to fly - good views off the escarpment and at well-known points like God’s Window and the Three Rondavaals. Now, it’s about 16 years since we were in that area, and boy has it changed! Back then there really was no development, you just pulled off the road, walked to see the stunning view, and that was it. Now there are car parks, attendants, parking charges, retail opportunities and lots and lots of “NO DRONES” signs - and lots and lots of people (and November is low tourist season).

After Kruger we were down to Cape Town. The main places you want to go, like Cape Point, Boulders Beach (penguins), Table Mountain (and the surroundings) are all SANParks - so drones are banned. Which doesn’t leave a lot. It’s possible the privately-owned vineyards would be amenable, but I didn’t ask. Somebody was flying a drone on the top of Lions Head at sunrise, but apparently SANParks do send rangers up at random times, so I guess you decide whether to take the risk or not.

So, in short, unless you’re gong to be staying on private reserves, and will be away from main tourist areas, it’s probably not going to be worth the hassle of carrying your drone.

Which is a shame - it’s such a beautiful country, and would be so from the air as well.

7 Likes
2

Great to see you’re still around Colin @Renni-Aire :slight_smile:

Thanks for the update!

3

That’s brings back memories I loved the Kruger did you go to pilgrims rest, I lived in Joberg for 2 years and went all over the north good pics

4

We spent many months in Zambia/Zimbabwe over the last decade (wifes work) and in privately owned land with much wildlife… I often had use of a quad bike and on my god I wish I could go back now even more so now I have a drone… That would be amazing!

5

Yes, Pilgrims Rest hasn’t changed at least - and Alanglade is also still the same. We were the only visitors to Alanglade - for everybody else it’s the old mine managers house, now a sort of NT museum

1 Like
6

I enjoyed my time in SA but fell in love with all the seasons again even more so when I came home.

7

Hello, I’m planning on visiting South Africa and was wondering what I need to do to be able to bring my DJI Mini 4 pro drone with on holiday. I have my UK Operator and flyer ID (and yes, I have public liability insurance too ;).

I’ve contacted ClientCare@caa.co.za in south africa to ask the same question and been told

“Unfortunately, South African RPAS(Drone) Regulations do not make provision for the operation of foreign drones.”

Is this correct? (When I google search, it states I can if my drone is under 250g)
“All drones weighing more than 250 grams must be registered with the SACAA.”

Has anyone had any recent experience with this. I just recently purchased my drone and don’t want it confiscated at the airport. :frowning:

8

This story from another member might help you decide:

1 Like
9

Thank you, yes I read that :slight_smile: I understand no fly zones over parks etc, but I’m concerned about airport, rules regarding travelling into the country with the drone.

10

Did a tour of South Africa in 2018, which included several days in Kruger NP, taking my decidedly over 250 gm Mavic Pro with me. No problems upon entry into Jo’burg, but check out airlines, especially no batteries in the hold, only in carry on. NPs not allowed, but did contact in advance several small game lodges (outside NPs) who were more helpful, one in particular provided a vehicle & driver on 2 occasions to fly at locations within their private reserve.

2 Likes
11

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. :+1:

12

Thanks for all the advice, great to have a forum to query such things. :+1:

UPDATE I finally received a useful response (after receiving some odd and irrelevant ones previously - which even included forms on reporting a violation??? from SACAA in South Africa.

  • In case anyone was looking for an official answer too)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There are no SACAA rules pertaining to bringing your drone into the Republic of South Africa.
The normal SARS customs rules apply.

And with regards to flying your drone in the country, please note that you can only fly under PRIVATE OPERATIONS whose restrictions are stated below:

Private Operations

Definitions:

Private operation – means the use of an UAS for an individual’s personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain;

Restricted visual line-of-sight* – means an operation within 500 m of the remote pilot and below the height of the highest obstacle within 300 m of the UA, which the remote pilot maintains direct unaided visual contact with the UAS to manage its flight and meet separation and collision avoidance responsibilities;

General

  1. It is the full responsibility of the remote pilot of the UAS to fly his/her aircraft safely and not endanger safety of another aircraft, any person or property.
  2. The remote pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities.

Limitations and restrictions

Please adhere to the following for the safe operation of UAS:

  1. Private operations of UAS shall be conducted:

  2. only in R-VLOS (day and night)

  3. with a Class 1A or 1B UAS (mass < 7 kg, Impact energy* < 15 kJ)

  4. Do not fly UAS:

  5. Near manned aircraft

  6. 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad or airfield)

  7. In controlled, restricted or prohibited

  8. Adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant, prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point or strategic installation

  9. Do not fly UAS 50m or closer from:

  10. Any person or group of persons (like sport fields, road races, stadiums, schools, social events, etc.)

  11. Public road

  12. Any property without permission from property owner

  13. Do not release dispense, drop, deliver or deploy any object or substance from a UAS

  14. Only fly UAS in clear weather conditions

5 Likes
13

Hi All
I have a two barrelled question, I am next month going on holiday to South Africa and Eswatini (Swaziland), firstly, when flying I would like to keep my drone with my on board luggage for safety, Are you allowed to take the the batteries in this luggage or must they go in normal luggage?
second, Do you need international drone insurance cover? I have the GADC drone insurance but this only covers UK flying

14

I’m going next month and taking mine, my friend was there last year and didn’t have a problem for private use, he was there for a wedding and had some great shots, i’m also going to Eswatini where I’ve been told I just have to declare it at the border post, ECAA are a nightmare to get any info out of, after 10 emails I still had no reply’s so got a relative there to go to their offices

15

Thanks for the post. This topic is of particular interest to me, as I’m planning a holiday myself later this year to visit Cape Town, East London and Joburg. Thereafter I will visit Zimbabwe (my country of origin) and then back to the U.K. via Dubai where my eldest son lives. Any more information or advice on flying a drone (Dji Mini 4 Pro) in these countries will be much appreciated.

16

They won’t let you in Dubai with it :worried:

17

image
image1170×2532 227 KB

Yes there is a temporary suspension on recreational drones in Dubai but this will likely be lifted by the end of this year.

18

Temporary since 2022

Do you have a source for the lifting ?

19

There are several sources on the interweb that say there was a partial lifting of the ban on 7 January 2025 and drones can be used under strict conditions.

20

Yet you still cannot register

Screenshot 2025-06-21 at 10.57.19
Screenshot 2025-06-21 at 10.57.193014×1700 890 KB