Drone Laws in Tanzania

Verfasst von Francis Markert | Last update on 17.08.2026 | 62 Kommentare

In this post, we have summarized the drone laws in Tanzania.

Tanzania has introduced new rules for drone use. Every drone in the country must be registered. If registration is not carried out before entry, the drone will be kept at the airport and only returned on departure. Drone flights of any kind are only permitted with prior approval from the civil aviation authority TCAA – that applies to commercial, government and research operations just as much as to purely recreational flying.

Overview: Drone rules in Tanzania

Registering as a drone pilot in Tanzania

As a tourist you have to apply for four documents before entering Tanzania in order to bring in and use your drone:

• Import Permit – without it, the drone will be confiscated on arrival
• Drone Registration – registration of the aircraft itself
• Operator Registration – registration as a pilot
• Operations Permit – the actual flight approval

Applications go through the TCAA online system. To get access, send the following details by email to [email protected]:

• full name of the applicant
• email address
• phone number with country code
• physical address (street, city and country)
• passport number
• nationality
• drone model and purpose of use
• expected date of arrival

The TCAA will then register you as an applicant and send you an email with a link, a username and a password. The authority requires applications to be submitted at least three weeks before entry, and states a processing time of three to four weeks for non-residents. Plan your lead time accordingly.

Fees are staggered by weight. As a tourist with a drone under 5 kilograms you should expect the following costs:

• 50 USD for the Import Permit
• 100 USD for registration
• 10 USD per day for the Operations Permit

Good to know: there is no refund if you fail to complete the application process on time.

Further regulations in Tanzania

Tanzania distinguishes drones by weight into classes and by purpose of use into categories:

As we understand it, Category A only covers flights within model flying clubs and similar settings.

Pilots in categories B and C need a “Pilot’s Licence“. To get one they must be at least 21 years old, hold a current medical certificate, demonstrate English language proficiency, hold a radio telephony licence, and have completed flight training as well as a knowledge and skills test. The regulations set a fee of 200 USD for issuing the licence.

Whether you need a local pilot licence as a foreign recreational pilot, and whether qualifications from other countries are recognized, is not known to us. We have no official statement on this – contact the TCAA directly if you need certainty.

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for all drone pilots.

Anyone flying drones for commercial purposes additionally needs an “Operator Certificate” and approvals for the flights. Aerial photography has to be announced in advance and may require approval from the security authorities.

Flight bans and safety distances

Beyond the cumbersome formalities, Tanzania has laid down a number of safety rules:

• do not endanger other aircraft, people or the property of others – other aircraft have right of way, and flying over crowds is prohibited
• do not fly in restricted or controlled airspace unless you hold an approval
• if you inadvertently enter controlled airspace, air traffic control must be notified
• keep 10 kilometers away from code C, D, E and F aerodromes and 7 kilometers from code A and B aerodromes
• fly no higher than 400 feet above ground level
• keep 50 meters away from people, vessels, vehicles and structures
• respect the privacy of others and do not film uninvolved people without their consent
• fly only within visual line of sight and in daylight – night flights require a separate permit
• without approval from the authority, each pilot may operate only one drone at a time
• check the surroundings and the condition of your equipment before the flight
• drones must not be flown under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Drones in national parks

Flying drones over national parks is prohibited in principle. The national park authority TANAPA does grant exceptions if permits from all four responsible bodies have been obtained beforehand: the Filming Board of Tanzania, the Ministry of Defence, the TCAA and the Conservation Commissioner of TANAPA.

On top of that come conditions inside the park: the drone must be flown at least 50 meters above ground, it must not be launched in the presence of unrelated tourists, and operations are supervised by park personnel. You report to the chief park warden before you start; besides the usual park fees a ranger service fee applies, and you have to pick the ranger up and drop them off yourself. In the Serengeti, no drones may be flown during the river crossings of the herds. Breaches cost at least TZS 100,000 or 100 USD per offence – and the drone is confiscated.

Leave us a comment below this article if you have been to Tanzania with your drone: how long did your applications actually take, and how did entry go?

We have researched the drone rules for Tanzania listed here to the best of our knowledge. We can not guarantee the accuracy of the information. If you want to play it safe then contact the regional aviation authority. Alternatively, you can ask the country’s embassy in your home country for more information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment if you have any news or experience with your drone in Tanzania!