Plan
Drone rules: Zambia
Last checked: October 1, 2026
Permit required
You may only fly here with a permit issued by the authorities in advance.
According to the aviation authority ZCAA, every drone must be registered, the operator needs a remote pilot licence, and flights must be approved before take-off.
All drones are registered with the ZCAA with proof of ownership and technical data; in addition a remote pilot licence with theory and practical test is required.
Several secondary sources state insurance as mandatory; not officially confirmed.
For tourists
Do not plan a drone flight without a confirmed ZCAA authorisation: the US State Department describes drone use as heavily regulated, and fees, costs for an accompanying inspector and possible confiscation at customs are reported. Do not photograph army barracks, government buildings, airports or bridges. Clarify the situation directly with the ZCAA before your trip.
Further rules
- In Zambia, the aviation authority ZCAA requires drone registration, a remote pilot licence and authorisation before every flight. An exemption for private recreational drones under 1.5 kilograms is mentioned in secondary sources but is not officially confirmed; fees for inspection and authorisation letters are reported for foreign visitors.
- The ZCAA requires a remote pilot licence. Secondary sources state that liability insurance is mandatory; this is not officially confirmed.
- According to secondary sources, the maximum altitude is 120 metres and may not exceed the highest structure within 300 metres; a 10-kilometre no-fly zone is said to apply around airports, and take-off and landing on public roads are prohibited. These figures are not officially confirmed.
- It is also reported that tourists must be accompanied by an aviation authority inspector on every flight and pay for their accommodation, transport and daily allowance, plus obtain clearance from the air force; this is not officially confirmed.
- This makes Zambia practically unviable for short-stay tourists with their own drone; if you absolutely want aerial footage there, you'd do better to hire a local provider.
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.