Drones can add excitement to your safari, but their use in sensitive environments has raised serious concerns about safety, wildlife disturbance, and the protection of the park’s delicate ecosystem. As a result, to use a drone in Volcanoes National Park, you must have a permit, and even then, you are limited to certain areas.
The rules and regulations are not meant to discourage visitors but to ensure maximum protection of the park’s natural and cultural resources while keeping everyone safe. This way, the park will still be here for future generations to enjoy.
Drones can create uncomfortable noise that may scare many sensitive animals, which is why they are banned in some areas of the park.
If you are allowed to use a drone, you are advised to be very careful and responsible to ensure it does not fly beyond permitted limits. Violating a rule may cost you a lot. Some visitors come to enjoy a quiet environment, and disturbing their peace may create bad memories, so it is important to be respectful when using drones.
Tour guides or park operators are available to remind visitors that getting the necessary permits and understanding the conditions under which drones can be used is very important for a responsible drone pilot in the land of wildlife.
The rules were put in place by national parks under the National Park Service. According to NPS guidelines, flying drones in national parks is generally prohibited unless a special permit is granted. Volcanoes National Park, located in Rwanda, is rich in biodiversity and human history, serving as an important area for conservation and scientific research.
To get a permit, drone operators must first determine their eligibility. Permits are mainly given for important purposes such as research, educational projects, or media coverage.
Applicants must provide a clear reason for why they need to use a drone and how it will contribute positively to the understanding or enjoyment of the park.
This includes submitting a clear purpose, a flight plan, and reviewing all documents carefully before handing them to the park officials. Applications should be submitted early, as getting a permit may take several weeks.
Let us follow the rules and regulations to protect Volcanoes National Park for the future.