Drone Laws in Zambia

Flying drones in Zambia

In this post, we have summarized the rules for the use of drones in Zambia.

In order to fly a drone in Zambia legally, you need an RPAS Letter of Approval (RLA), a Certificate of Registration, and an RPAS Pilot’s License (RPL). All documents can be obtained from the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority.

For me, Zambia is the prime example of over-regulation.

Overview: Drone rules in Z

Recreational use of drones allowed? Yes, after registration or approval
Commercial use of drones permitted? Yes, after registration or approval
Maximum Altitude:120 Meter (393,7 Fuß) in uncontrolled airspace.
Is drone insurance mandatory? Yes, for private and commercial drone flights. Learn more about drone insurance here.
Does the drone need a badge?Yes.
Drone labels can be ordered here
Is a registration necessary? Yes.
Keep distance to airports
Respect the privacy of other people

Further rules in Zambia

In Zambia, your drone is allowed to fly at a maximum of 120 meters. However, the drone must not fly higher than the highest object within a radius of 300 meters.

Drones in Zambia must be provided with a fireproof license plate indicating their nationality and registration number. The badge must have a white background and be labeled with black letters.

Drone flights in Zambia must be carried out within visual line of sight and only in daylight. The maximum horizontal distance must not exceed 500 meters.

The private use of a drone is allowed

  • if the drone weighs no more than 1.5 kilograms or
  • if the drone weighs up to 7 kilograms but has a maximum kinetic energy of 15 kJ.

During a drone flight, you must always have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher with you.

Commercial drone pilots require a Remote Pilot License (RPL). To receive an RPL, you must be at least 18 years old, submit a medical report, have sufficient language skills in English, and take several tests. If you really want to do this, you should take a close look at the document linked above.

Safety distances and flight bans

A distance of 10 kilometers must be kept around airports.

You must not fly your drone near nuclear power plants, prisons, police stations, crime scenes or major national facilities. People, public roads, and buildings must be at least 50 meters away.

Public roads should not be used to launch and land drones.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for Zambia to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Zambia!

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About the author

Since January 2015, we travel around the world. In our backpack we carry a camera drone which we use to capture the best places from a bird’s perspective. First we travelled with a DJI Phantom 2. But now we use several drones like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ or the DJI Mini 3 Pro. On our blog we share the best tips for you about travelling with a drone. If you have questions about this article or new information, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment!

Discussions

  • Daniel Fuerman | 12.06.2018

    Hi Francis,

    I am backpacking around Central and Southern Africa in a couple of months and had been told I couldn’t bring a drone in to Zambia even if I didn’t fly while I was there (per UAV Systems International). Did you have any issues when you went to Zambia with your drone? I am trying to avoid the dreaded leaving my drone in a locker in Zimbabwe while I visit Zambia. Any suggestions would be great.

    • Francis Markert | 02.07.2018

      Hi Daniel,
      I haven’t been to Zambia, and most readers leave their drone at home when they travel to Zambia. Therefore, I can not give you a good advise. I am sorry! But let me know which experiences you will make!

  • Martin Sætre | 03.08.2018

    Hello

    I am currently in Zambia now. I brought my DJI Spark with me without any issues!
    But..
    As stated in the post; Zambia is very strict regarding drone flying so you may not get much use of it..
    With permission you could fly it in/over private property/land, but national spots requires very expensive permission. The penalty for flying without could be jail time and you will most likely loose your drone. Some people end up getting away with it by bribe, but its usually 2,000 dollars..

    Best of luck 😉

    • Daniel | 07.08.2018

      Hello Martin. Did you cross into Zambia overland or via airport? I am hoping to fly out of Zambia but am worried about getting it confiscated at the airport before flying out.

  • Boidin Frank | 11.08.2018

    Hi there,
    In september i am going on vacation to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Pretoria South Africa a tour with the Songololo Expres (Train). Do you think that these are places to take my Mavic Pro with?
    Considering en respecting the laws over there, or beter not taking a drone to this countries?
    Thanks for reading en your reaction,

    • James | 13.09.2018

      I’m doing a very similar trip in January, if you bring your drone could you please leave an update on how it went here? Thank you!

  • Irma | 25.11.2018

    I went to Zambia last October (landed in Lusaka). I took my Mavic Pro with me in my backpack. Customs didn’t see/say anything. I only used my drone on private property. We left via Livingstone airport.

    • Francis Markert | 27.11.2018

      Cool, thanks for your comment! 🙂

  • Bashi Mapalo | 21.12.2018

    I have lived in Zambia since 2009. I would recommend to be careful, a single positive experience says nothing about what is going to happen to the next person. A friend had brought his drone and done some filming, even in town and there was no problem at all, but I heard about another guy who actually ended up in jail – though I have to admit I do not know the whole story in that case… If you have to argue with an officer always remain calm and friendly, never complain about the law or police, getting loud or aggressive will make things worse.

    • Francis Markert | 07.01.2019

      Thank you for your essential tips. It helps a lot!

  • Emmanuel Chibwe | 03.01.2019

    Coming with a drone in Zambia is not a problem at all. The problem is not following law’s over drone’s.. You can come with it and can only fly it if you do what the Zambian laws want..its just the same as buying a car….you can not drive a car on Zambian roads if you haven’t done what’s right.
    Zambia is a friendly country…..so if come with it kindly do the right thing or just park it..by way at the airport they won’t ask you..till where you’re going you break the law and if you don’t have the right documents… Don’t say Zambia is a bad country.. Lol…you are all welcome

    • Francis Markert | 07.01.2019

      Thank you for your participation in the discussion! 🙂

  • Ahmed | 05.09.2019

    I am coming to Zambia next week and I called Authority of aviation to check if I can bring my drone, they advised me not to bring it as I can not operate it without registration, lisence and permission.

  • Penson | 03.02.2023

    I want to know more about how i can use the drone if i were to buy one

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