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Drone rules: Zimbabwe

Last checked: October 1, 2026

Permit required

You may only fly here with a permit issued by the authorities in advance.

Import and operation only with prior clearance from CAAZ and a temporary import permit from the revenue authority ZIMRA.

Travel check for ZimbabweChecklist for your trip: registration, insurance, drone and batteries on the plane.
Maximum altitude
120 m
Registration
Required

Every drone needs an approval letter from CAAZ; the German registration does not apply.

Insurance
Not clearly documented

Explicitly required by law only for holders of an operator certificate; not clearly regulated for recreational pilots.

Depending on drone weight

  • From 2 kgFrom 2 kg a CAAZ registration certificate is required instead of just the approval letter

For tourists

Apply for the CAAZ pre-clearance at least 30 days before your trip and for the temporary import permit at ZIMRA. At customs you must declare the drone and present the CAAZ clearance letter.

Further rules

  • In Zimbabwe, every drone must be registered with the aviation authority CAAZ – including those of hobby pilots and visitors. Available sources are unclear on whether insurance is mandatory; if in doubt, treat it as recommended rather than required.
  • Flight height is limited to below 120 metres (400 feet) above ground; exceptions only for beyond-line-of-sight or night flights approved by CAAZ.
  • Within three nautical miles (about 5.5 kilometres) of controlled and uncontrolled aerodromes you may only fly with an operator certificate and CAAZ approval. For popular national parks such as Victoria Falls or Hwange there is no officially documented detailed rule – asking locally makes more sense than relying on a specific rule.
  • Visitors must register with the CAAZ at least 30 days before their trip and also apply for a temporary import permit from the tax authority.
  • For short-stay tourists without this lead time, this is hardly practical – if you want to travel flexibly, you should either do without a drone or plan early.

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.