Drone hire makes sense when you need a drone for a holiday, a one-off project or a test before you buy, or when your own drone is in for repair. Hire companies and drone shops rent out camera drones, FPV drones and some work drones by the day or week, usually with batteries, a charger and a case. Hiring a drone with a licensed pilot is a different service, quoted per job. Tell us what you want to film or do and for how many days, and local suppliers quote you directly. It is free and there is no obligation.
Drone only, or drone with a pilot?
Dry hire means you get the drone and fly it yourself. It suits private use: filming a family holiday, a hike or your own farm, or trying a model before buying one. If the footage is for paid work, or you are not a confident pilot, book a licensed operator instead. They bring the drone, the RPL and ROC, the insurance and the editing. See drone photography and drone videography.
What a hire kit usually includes
- The drone and its controller, updated and checked.
- Two or more charged flight batteries and a charger.
- Spare propellers and a carry case.
- Sometimes ND filters, a memory card or a landing pad.
Ask exactly what is in the kit, because extra batteries make a big difference to a day's flying. Confirm collection and return times, and whether courier delivery is possible.
Deposits, damage and the rules
Most hire companies take a deposit and ID, and some ask to see a licence or proof of experience before handing over a larger drone. Ask what happens if the drone crashes, is lost or goes in water: is there a damage waiver, an insurance excess, or do you pay the repair? Hiring does not change the rules. SACAA guidance for private flying says to keep the drone in sight, fly in daylight, stay below 150 ft (about 46 m) and keep clear of people, roads and airports. Any paid flight still needs an RPL and an ROC.
What drone hire costs
Drone hire costs about R1,050 to R3,000 a day for a drone without a pilot, depending on the drone and the kit. Weekly rates are often lower per day. When you compare quotes, check the day rate, how many batteries come with it, the deposit, the damage terms and delivery. If you hire often, buying a camera drone may work out cheaper.
What to include in your request
- The dates and number of days you need
- What you plan to film or do
- Camera, FPV or work drone
- How many batteries you want in the kit
- Collection, delivery or courier
Drone Hire for different clients
- Hobbyists and families: a camera drone for a week on holiday along the Garden Route
- Farmers and growers: a drone for a few days to look over crops, dams and fences
- Estate agents and developers: a short hire to test whether aerial photos suit the agency's listings
- Builders, engineers and installers: a stand-in drone while the site's own drone is away for repair
- Mines, plants and utilities: a spare work drone for a short inspection project or shutdown
- Photographers, film crews and agencies: an extra drone for a licensed crew on a large shoot
- Security companies and estates: a short hire to trial drone patrols before buying a fleet
- Municipalities, schools and NGOs: a drone for a school project or a conservation count by licensed staff
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a drone for a wedding or a paid shoot?
Do I need experience to hire a drone?
What happens if I crash a hired drone?
Who quotes my drone hire request?
Drone Hire 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