Looking at drones for sale in South Africa means choosing between local stock with a South African warranty, grey imports that look cheaper online and bundles that differ in what is actually in the box. Prices for the same drone can vary by thousands of rand between shops. Before you pay, it helps to know who repairs it, how VAT and import costs land and which extras you really need. Send one request and independent drone shops and resellers near you quote you directly. It is free and you are under no obligation.
Local stock or an import?
A drone bought from a South African reseller usually comes with a local warranty, a shop that can send it for repair and a price that already includes VAT. An import ordered from overseas can look cheaper, but customs adds import VAT and duties on arrival, delivery takes longer and the warranty may only be honoured in the country of sale. If something goes wrong, you may have to post it back overseas. For a first drone, local stock is usually the safer buy.
What should be in the box
The same drone is often sold in two or three bundles, so compare like with like:
- Standard kit: the drone, one battery, a controller, a charging cable and a spare set of propellers.
- Fly-more kit: usually three batteries, a charging hub, a shoulder bag and more propellers.
- Controller type: a basic controller uses your phone as the screen; a screen controller costs more but is brighter in sun.
- Extras: ND filters, a landing pad and crash cover are sometimes thrown in, sometimes not.
Spare packs are expensive later, so see drone batteries before you choose a kit.
Price ranges and VAT
Drones for sale in South Africa run from about R3,999 for an entry camera drone to about R81,000 for a top consumer model. Ask whether each price includes VAT and delivery, whether the stock is in the country or on order, and whether a quote is valid for a set number of days, because the rand moves. If you plan to fly for pay, the drone must be registered, so ask whether the shop can supply the serial and paperwork you need. See camera drones for help choosing the model itself.
Comparing quotes from drone shops
Put the same model and bundle to every shop. Then compare the warranty period and who honours it, the repair turnaround, delivery or collection, payment terms and any free set-up or first-flight help. A shop that will show you the drone, check firmware and explain return to home is often worth a small difference in price. If a deal looks far too cheap, ask where the stock came from.
What to include in your request
- The model type or features you want, in plain words
- Standard kit or fly-more bundle
- Your budget including VAT
- Whether you need local stock and delivery or collection
- If the drone is for private or paid flying
Drones for Sale for different clients
- Hobbyists and families: a first drone bought locally with a warranty, spare batteries and set-up help
- Farmers and growers: a sturdy drone bought with spare packs and a local repair route for farm use
- Estate agents and developers: a drone bought with a screen controller and spares for regular listing shoots
- Builders, engineers and installers: several matching drones bought from one reseller for site teams in different towns
- Mines, plants and utilities: drones bought on account with a service plan and registration paperwork supplied
- Photographers, film crews and agencies: a second or backup drone bought locally so shoots never stop for repairs
- Security companies and estates: drones bought with extra batteries and a charging hub for shift patrols
- Municipalities, schools and NGOs: drones bought on a tender or quote for schools, reserves and municipal teams
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy a drone in South Africa?
Is it cheaper to import a drone?
What is a fly-more kit and is it worth it?
How does the quote request work?
Drones for Sale by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg