Are you thinking of bringing your drone to Kenya? Maybe to film beautiful landscapes or scenes or for commercial or personal use. This post will discuss how you can do it, but in a more definitive sense, can you bring your drone to Kenya?
Bringing your drone to Kenya is possible, but you must be authorized by the KCAA (Kenya Civil Aviation Authority). You will also need to register it and use these details to apply for approvals every time you need to fly.
Read on to find out what you need to bring your drone to Kenya and other viable options.
Are you allowed to bring your drone to Kenya?
According to Kenyan drone laws, drone ownership is restricted to Kenyan citizens. Generally, tourists are not allowed to bring their drones to Kenya unless they have a temporary permit, and this permit often only applies for commercial or research purposes. Read on to find out what it takes to own a drone in Kenya.
What Does It Take to Own a Drone in Kenya?
To be allowed to own a drone in Kenya, you need to be licensed. This ensures the owner has been trained on Kenyan regulations and has passed the last assessment test. Once you are licensed, you can apply for an import permit, which also requires vetting and clearance by the Ministry of Defense, and once you get your drone, apply for registration (I will post about how to get an Import Permit and Register your drone in Kenya in a future post).
This registration is tied to your license, which you will use to apply for approval to use your drone. Approvals are required for both private and commercial drone use in Kenya. As such, it would be tough for Tourists to go through this process unless they intend to be in Kenya for a very long time.
What happens if you bring your drone to Kenya without a permit?
Whether you are a Kenyan citizen or a visitor, if you bring your drone without a permit, customs may confiscate it, and you can only get it back when leaving. You are not allowed to bring your drone into the country and use it without going through the process mentioned above. Some people have reported getting their drones back, while others have reported not getting them back, especially after leaving them at customs for too long, so it wouldn’t be ideal to risk it.
Other options to use a drone on your trip to Kenya
If you really want to bring your drone to Kenya, there are a few options;
- Use an approved reseller—You can look for approved drone resellers in Kenya, and they will help import the drone on your behalf. However, once they receive it, they will need to transfer ownership to you, which will initiate the vetting process by the KCAA and Ministry of Defense similar to the Import Permits and Drone Registration Processes. If you plan to stay in Kenya for a long time, this would be the right way to do it, but if not, check the other options.
- Hire a locally licensed drone pilot – To use the drone for private or commercial purposes, you need a Remote Operator’s License (ROC). But instead of going through the whole process of getting that, you can hire the services of a locally registered drone company or hire a locally licensed drone pilot who will guide you through the necessary regulations. They also bring their drones, which have already been registered. I am a licensed drone pilot based in Kenya and own a drone. I would be willing to help you get some local drone footage as long as we do it within the regulations.
- Get stock footage—If all you need is footage of certain areas in Kenya, you could purchase existing drone stock footage of the area or hire a pilot through sites like Fiverr and let them handle the logistics of getting the footage.
Where Can I Fly My Drone in Kenya?
Once you figure out how to legally bring your drone to Kenya, make sure you understand where you can and can’t use your drone in Kenya. For instance, like in other regions worldwide, flying near airports, military bases, prisons, etc, are No-Fly Zones. Most national parks in Kenya also restrict drone use unless you have the necessary permits.
Can I Fly My Drone in Maasai Mara
You can be allowed to fly a drone in Maasai Mara, but you will need to have a legally owned and registered drone. Then, you can use that to get a permit from the Kenya Wildlife Service. It would be easier to go through a registered Kenyan operator. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has listed the various registered operators on their website.
Conclusion
Drone importation and use in Kenya is highly regulated and for good reason. So, before travelling to the country with your drone, ensure you have considered all the viable options and obtained the necessary regulations. You should also ensure you know where you can and can’t fly your drone in Kenya.