Flying a Drone on a Tanzania Safari: The Rules

Without a specific government permit, drones are generally prohibited in Tanzania's national parks. This is no gray area and the rule isn't loosely enforced, and it holds no matter how experienced a pilot you are or how careful you plan to be. Where permits are available, they usually require an application well ahead of your travel dates, not something sorted out on arrival or once you're in the park. Given the complexity and uncertainty, most safari operators, including us, recommend leaving your drone at home unless you've confirmed a permit in writing before you travel. If aerial photography matters a lot to your trip, a hot air balloon safari is a realistic, fully legal alternative that gives you a view from above without the permit headaches of a drone. Contact us before your trip if you're thinking of bringing a drone, and we'll tell you plainly whether a permit is realistically achievable for your dates.