Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has enacted a complete ban on the use of drones in Etosha National Park. This is due to escalating security concerns related to rhino poaching.
Picture: Supplied
While drones were previously allowed under stringent regulations, their unauthorized use has become more frequent.
As reported by African Travel & Tourism Association, this new measure aims to mitigate visitor disturbances and combat potential poaching activities.
Etosha National Park is home to 72% of Namibia’s black rhino population. However, it has recently experienced a troubling increase in poaching, with 19 rhinos reported killed in the first quarter of 2024.
The ministry has raised concerns that poachers could use drones to track rhinos, further endangering conservation efforts.
ALSO READ: Kruger National Park loses 35 rhinos to poaching in first few weeks of 2025
As a result, a new policy has been implemented requiring visitors to leave drones at the park entrances, with no exceptions for their use within the park.
Authorities are advising tourists to carefully plan their routes, as retrieving drones from the gates can be logistically challenging.
This ban is part of a broader strategy aimed at safeguarding Etosha’s wildlife and reinforcing Namibia’s commitment to conservation.
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