Is drone flying in Kenya really illegal?

[BSauce955]

So, my family is considering taking a trip to Kenya and of course, I'm thinking of doing some flying while there. Being precautions, I did some research and it seems that it's illegal. However, the article I found was from 2019 so I'm not sure if things have changed since then. It does seem quite strange that drones are completely banned except for government purposes so I'd like to verify here in case anyone knows. I've also included the link to the article. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

P.S. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate section for this thread so feel free to move it mods.
Article

 

[Flycaster]

Start here:

Drone Laws in Kenya [Updated September 6, 2024]

According to KCAA, drone use is allowed in Kenya, subject to KCAA regulations. Read on for more details.

drone-laws.com

Thank you Google...

 

[Dale D]

So, my family is considering taking a trip to Kenya and of course, I'm thinking of doing some flying while there. Being precautions, I did some research and it seems that it's illegal. However, the article I found was from 2019 so I'm not sure if things have changed since then. It does seem quite strange that drones are completely banned except for government purposes so I'd like to verify here in case anyone knows. I've also included the link to the article. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

P.S. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate section for this thread so feel free to move it mods.
Article

I have just returned from a 2 1/2 week safari in Tanzania and Kenya. I was able to get a permit for Tanzania after months of trying, but I never got one from Kenya. Nevertheless I DID fly in Kenya. I did not ask permission-I just went outside of my tent or outside of the camp (but still within the camp's safety zone from animals) and flew. I never flew on safari itself- e.g.: I never flew over animals or scenery. I mainly used the drone for establishment and documentation of our camps. I brought the Mini 2 and left the Mavic 2 Pro at home. They never examined my luggage in any Kenya airport. Most of the flights (many) were from camp to camp in small aircraft with less than 5 passengers.

If you are interested, you will see drone footage at the waterfalls, and most all of the Tanzanian camps and lodges, and at the final Kenyan lodge in this video.
Dale

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[NG Wildman]

I have just returned from a 2 1/2 week safari in Tanzania and Kenya. I was able to get a permit for Tanzania after months of trying, but I never got one from Kenya. Nevertheless I DID fly in Kenya. I did not ask permission-I just went outside of my tent or outside of the camp (but still within the camp's safety zone from animals) and flew. I never flew on safari itself- e.g.: I never flew over animals or scenery. I mainly used the drone for establishment and documentation of our camps. I brought the Mini 2 and left the Mavic 2 Pro at home. They never examined my luggage in any Kenya airport. Most of the flights (many) were from camp to camp in small aircraft with less than 5 passengers.

If you are interested, you will see drone footage at the waterfalls, and most all of the Tanzanian camps and lodges, and at the final Kenyan lodge in this video.
Dale

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Dale, it's a shame you never get to do anything interesting...LOL...great video as usual.

 

[Daytona500]

Wow Dale you made a liar out of all those that say videos over 2 min's aren't. interesting. I was mesmerized for the whole 20 min's.Beautiful Photography and an awesome trip for sure. I wish I could do a trip like that but it will never happen. Thanks for the video I get to see it thru your eyes.

 

[OkDrone]

That is an awesome video.. My dad and mom have been all over Africa but never brought back such spectacular spectacular pictures.. I went there on safari in 2001 right after the 911 episode. It was crazy scary flying; however, once there, it was a great trip. I took lots of video footage as well as pictures but never had the time to edit anything together. Nor would it have been spectacular as your video. It's like Daytona said, 23 minutes kept me mesmerized.

 

[edfrombama]

Good morning to all-
Dale, that is superb work. I envy you the trip, and I appreciate your sharing of it with us. Your photo work of the wildebeast crossing the river is excellent.

many thanks- Ed

 

[Dale D]

Wow Dale you made a liar out of all those that say videos over 2 min's aren't. interesting. I was mesmerized for the whole 20 min's.Beautiful Photography and an awesome trip for sure. I wish I could do a trip like that but it will never happen. Thanks for the video I get to see it thru your eyes.

Thank so much for watching and commenting. It was an exciting trip, and the editing was fun too. You can imagine the amount of assets required for this - including DSLR images needing editing (Photoshop), video clips (Premiere), Osmo 4 video, iPhone video, etc. etc. The birds and animals were captured with a rented 600mm $11,000 lens that weighed 10 pounds. I could go on and on.

Suffice it to say, if you can only travel to two continents in your life, go to Africa twice. It never gets old.

The migration river crossing of the thousands of wildebeests was one the most exciting things I have seen in my lifetime.

Dale
Miami

 

[Dale D]

Good morning to all-
Dale, that is superb work. I envy you the trip, and I appreciate your sharing of it with us. Your photo work of the wildebeast crossing the river is excellent.

many thanks- Ed

Ed From Alabama- Thank you. Please see my comments to Daytona below. The same.

Dale