Plan
Drone rules: Rwanda
Last checked: October 1, 2026
Permit required
You may only fly here with a permit issued by the authorities in advance.
The German Foreign Office states that importing drones is not allowed; the RCAA describes a procedure in which the police hold the drone on entry until registration and permit are in place.
Only Rwandan citizens, foreigners resident in Rwanda or Rwandan companies can register – as a tourist you need a local partner.
For tourists
Without registration and permit sorted in advance, better leave the drone at home: according to the RCAA you declare it to the police on entry, who keep it. To fly you also need a remote pilot licence and an activity permit (two to four weeks processing).
Further rules
- In Rwanda, drones must be registered with the aviation authority RCAA – but foreigners can't do this themselves. Only Rwandan citizens, residents or companies can register a drone on someone else's behalf, which is a real obstacle for tourists without a local contact.
- Officially, recreational flying is only permitted within a registered drone club approved by the RCAA.
- On entry you must declare the drone to the national police at the border crossing; they keep it and issue a seizure form until registration via the drone portal is complete. The German Foreign Office even describes importing drones as not allowed. Security-relevant areas additionally require approval from the police or military.
- There are two types of permit – a short-term Activity Permit (several weeks' processing time) and a long-term Operator Certificate – both requiring considerable lead time.
- No-fly zones apply within 10 kilometres of airports and around government and military facilities; night flights are not permitted.
- For short-stay tourists, the overall effort is high: registration by someone else required, several weeks' lead time, no spontaneous recreational flying.
Sources
This overview is not legal advice and not an official statement — laws change, and we cannot guarantee that every entry is fully up to date. Before your flight, please also check the official source or the local civil aviation authority.