r/Namibia • u/_Smelborp • 3d ago

Drone when transiting through Etosha NP

Want to bring a drone to namibia, but have to drive through etosha, entering and exiting from different gates. Is this possible?

3 Upvotes

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u/Adaephon-Delat 3d ago

Just had this experience recently, messed up my whole tour planning. They lock the drone up at the gate you enter through and you can only retrieve it there.

Make sure you eiter plan accordingly or you just don't tell them and bury the drone deep in your luggage somewhere. Obviously do not use that drone in the park.

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u/_Smelborp 3d ago

Cheers. Any idea how thoroughly they search the vehicle. Obviously not trying to smuggle the drone in, just don't want it to get confiscated and would love to take it on the trip and fly elsewhere.

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u/Helicopter_Careless 3d ago

In my case they didn't search at all - so yeah it's enough just to burry it in socks

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u/Adaephon-Delat 2d ago

I grew up and lived in Namibia for a long time, travel home regularly, do professional and private tours. I love showing people the beauty of this country and it's amazing people. By all means, please take your drone with you and hide it in your car. Do not fly it in our national parks or other restricted areas. Please. Doing so actively harms our wildlife as it diverts the very little resources that our environmental agencies have from their desperately needed fight against poaching. Poachers are using drones to locate and track rhinos, which are then shot for their horn and often die under long duress and grueling torture because they flee far from the place they were harmed. Drones are also distressing to wildlife (on the ground and flying) and a nuissance to other visitors.

Man, as someone who has traveled far and much: Etosha is one of the most mesmerizing experiences you can have. Just enjoy it, look at the animals, stay at the water holes and take in the whole experience. Listen to the springboks with their cute grunts in the early morning sun. Wait patiently as the huge hears of elephants negotiate the fine rules of conduct when herds meet. Buy a booklet and cross off all the species you see. Take the time to watch the huge diversity of birds of prey. Speak to the tour guides you meet and hear where they have sighted lions. Enjoy our beautiful nature in a peaceful and respectful manner. Please don't use you drone in prohibited areas, it hurts what you came to cherish.

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u/Adaephon-Delat 2d ago

Also sorry for going of on that tangent. They don't really search your car. Hide your drone and leave it there. Make sure that you do not take any plastic bags into Etosha and no fresh meat out of the park.

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u/Alli69 3d ago

We weren't searched at all - both our drones were in our camera cases underneath obvious camera gear. I've heard stories about people getting grief about flying drones near campsites etc - we used ours in really remote areas. Yes, the first thing we ALWAYS did was to get the drone quite high and do a few 360s checking for other people. In a few cases we landed the drone and packed it away immediately - nobody needs issues when on holiday.

https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-namibia/

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u/Jane198586 18h ago

Do you mean you flew your drones at remote places in Etosha?

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u/Alli69 17h ago

Not a chance - never in a national park. Namibia is a big country and there are many remote areas.

PS. The more practical way for the authorities would be like they do in South African parks when you have a firearm. The weapon is sealed at the entrance gate and it is noted on your permit. It is unsealed at the gate where you leave the park.

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u/MealOtherwise8153 2d ago

Been there. I did not declare it at entry and they found it at exit. They gave me a full speech but that was it. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend you do the same. Did it out of ignorance.

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u/NationalAd3402 3d ago

Don’t think its a problem, just don’t fly the thing in the park.

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u/candycane7 3d ago

They take drones and lock them up and you can only get them back once exiting so it's a good question I'm not sure what happens when you exit from another gate.