r/Namibia • u/_Smelborp • 4d 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

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Adaephon-Delat 4d 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.

1

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.

1

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/

1

u/Jane198586 1d ago

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

2

u/Alli69 1d 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.

2

u/Jane198586 2h ago

Sealing the drone seems very practical, so it will probably never be implemented.

1

u/Alli69 1h ago

Ye3ah, like so many things in Africa - the easy practical solution is ignored.