Before I go ahead and tell you if you should bring a drone for safari in Tanzania, first let me ask you this question, how long do you think drones have been into an existence? 10 years? 50 years? 100?
Any idea?
Well, the first drone was created more than 170 years ago when Austrian military force executed an attack to the Italian city of Venice by using military drones filled with explosives.
Since this attack wasn’t so much successful as some drones by these Austrian solders blew back and dropped the explosives to the Austrian own lines, the technology of drones became less popular and less adopted.
Re-adoption of Drones
You’ll be shocked to find out that drones existed before the normal planes.
More than 50 years since the first drone by Austrian solders, Wright brothers who were two American aviation pioneers invented, built and flew the first successful airplane.
More than 16 years after the first flight by Wright brothers, Great Britain developed their own aircraft that did not use pilot.
Great Britain achieved this by using Nikola Tesla designs, a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer and mechanical engineer. Like today’s drones, this oldest pilotless aircraft was controlled by radio control.
Nevertheless, this project by GB was not much successful so they immediately abandoned it. This was after Great Britain troops had made several attempts to use the drone to counter German Zeppelins with no success.
In fact, the British Military perceived UAV technology as something with a limited military vehicle. For them, UAV technology was nothing but a failed project, they couldn’t be more wrong!
Americans Creates Their Drone after British Failure
A year after British Military failed to bring the best out of their UAV technology efforts, Americans went on to develop the Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane which showed encouraging results during its test.
Kettering Bug, which was the best version of the Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane was developed in 1918 just after the World War 1.
From then throughought to the World War 2 and cold war, drone technology experienced several advancements in technology but as per Dronethusiasts;
UAV technologies were largely seen as unreliable and expensive novelties – nowhere near as reliable as the exciting new innovations in manned aircraft like the Flying Fortress and the SR-71 Blackbird.
Israel Brings Drones Technology into Life
It wasn’t before 1982 when Israel employed UAV technology alongside manned aircraft to defeat the Syrian navy with greater success while experiencing a very minimal losses in the process.
While the UAV technology by Israel Air Force was not anything new, they excelled in refining the drone technology by making their operations more successful with slight damages. This inspired the International interest in UAV and from then, the rest is history.
Drone History Timeline
1830’s to 1840’s – Austrian Soldiers use unmanned balloons filled with explosives to attack the city of Venice
1903 – Wright Brothers First Flight, the first successful manned aircraft was invented
1916 – Great Britain develops the first pilotless aircraft only for the project to be scraped as British Military considered unmanned aerial vehicles less potential.
1918 – Americans develops The Kettering Bug, a more advanced drone version
From World War 2 to 1970’s – Drones are used in WW2, Cold War but still, the technology is considered unreliable and expensive innovation that was nowhere effective as the manned aircrafts technology.
1982 – The Israel Air Force breathes a new life on the drone’s technology after employing UAV technology alongside manned aircraft to destroy the Syrian fleet with greater effect.
From 2006 – Starting of non-military drones era. The non-military uses here were mainly for wildfire fighting, spray pesticides on farms and others
2013 – Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announces that the company was considering using drones as a delivery method, this triggers the public’s interest in drone technology.
2015 – 2016 Federal Aviation Administration (FVA) issues a total of 4100 commercial drone permits. Note that, from 2006 to 2014 there were only 16 commercial drone permits that were requested.
Alright, I am worn out and that’s all I have got for now about the history of drones. Now, there’s no better moment to tell you whether you should bring your drone for safari in Tanzania or not than now.
Is it permitted to bring your drone for Safari in Tanzania?
As by Tanzania’s Civil Aviation Authority, drones are allowed in Tanzania and flying them is completely legal. However, someone should ensure he comply with all the necessary drone regulations in the country.
While a very few travellers brings drone for safari in Tanzania, if you decide you’re going to bring one, there are clear regulations set by the authority to help you have the drone experience with no complications, neither penalties.
Drones Regulations for a Tanzania safari
To put you on the right side, I have prepared you everything you need to know from Tanzania National Parks Authority. These are the hands-down procedures and guidelines for drones operations in the parks;
Drones Permits for Safari in Tanzania
First and foremost, be informed that Tanzania national parks (TANAPA) do not allow anyone to enter the parks with drones let alone using them!
The only exception is when you have a permit, and that is obtained from the following authorities;
- Filming board of Tanzania
- Permanent Secretary Ministry of defence
- Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA)
- Conservation Commissioner-Tanzania National Parks
Let’s now see the frequently asked Questions about Drone for Safari in Tanzania
Should you apply for the Permit from all above authorities or the one is enough?
Unfortunately, the one authority is not enough, if you’d like to bring your drone with you in your Tanzania safari you’re required to apply for the permit from each of the above authorities.
So the permits applications should be made to the Ministry of defence, Filming board and TCAA before taking the permit copies to Conservation Commissioner-Tanzania National Parks for the final approval.
What is the validity of the Permit?
While TANAPA has the right to immediately revoke the permit, it’ll remain valid as long as all conditions are followed.
Is there any penalty if I fail to adhere the Drones regulations?
Absolutely, the first penalty if you fail to follow the regulations if you use your drone for a Tanzania trip is that the drone is going to be confiscated.
After your drone is confiscated, you will also get fined a minimum of USD100 per offence.
I am I allowed to take the final production at home?
Not before you submit a copy of a final film to the office of conservation commissioner for non-commercial use.
Is there any pilot license required?
For the leisure and sports use which falls in your purpose of bringing your drone for a safari in Tanzania, the pilot license is not required. However, the drone for private and commercial uses requires a pilot license.
Is there anything else I should know about Drones?
Exactly, my friend, flying drones in the parks requires you to;
- Operate your drone in not less than 50 meters from the ground.
- To fly your drone in your Tanzania safari you must ensure that there is no presence of other un-related tourists.
- You should report to chief park warden before commencing any drone activity within the park
- No drone should operate in absence of the supervision of park personnel
- Ranger service fees must be paid during the operation. This doesn’t include the regular park fees.
- You’re required to pick and drop the park personnel (ranger) at the authorized point before and after completing the operation
- If you want to fly a drone in the Serengeti National Park, you must not do it during crossing.
- You should never fly the drone in the surroundings of a property, only if the owner of the property has given approval for the operation.
Conclusion
Tanzania is a lovely place to bring your drone for safari and enjoy taking memorable photos in the sky.
But, you should remember, there are the regulations you must respect for the safe and lawful fly. I hope in this guide I have given you anything you need to know before bringing your drone for a safari in Tanzania.
Should you need more information, you can visit Tanzania National Parks website and find more information about drones in Tanzania.