training

Mapping with Drones

A comprehensive, hands-on course that takes you from mission planning through to survey-grade deliverables. Capture data with both RGB photogrammetry drones and LiDAR sensors — and learn when to deploy each technology for maximum accuracy and efficiency.

Course overview

Mapping with Drones is a 5-day intensive designed for RPL holders, engineers, surveyors, environmental scientists, students and career-changers who want to master drone-based mapping and surveying. The course covers the full workflow — mission planning, GCP establishment, RGB and LiDAR data capture on separate field sessions, and processing in industry-standard software (Pix4D, DJI Terra, Global Mapper) on Serian's high-spec workstations. Practical sessions use enterprise platforms including the DJI Matrice 300/350 RTK with Zenmuse P1 (RGB) and Zenmuse L1/L2 (LiDAR) payloads.

5 daysClassroom + field
4–10 participantsPer cohort
RGB + LiDARDual-sensor capture
CertificateOn completion
On-site deliveryYour location

Course breakdown

Five modules delivered across five days, each building on the previous to give you a complete mapping workflow.

Day1

Mission planning, regulations & payloads

Understand Kenyan airspace rules, KCAA requirements and how to plan safe mapping missions. Introduction to mapping drones and payloads — when to choose RGB photogrammetry vs LiDAR.

  • KCAA regulations and airspace classification
  • Mission planning with DJI Pilot 2 and Drone Deploy
  • Flight parameters: overlap, altitude, speed, GSD
  • RGB vs LiDAR — terrain, vegetation and accuracy trade-offs
  • Risk assessment and emergency procedures
Day2

Ground control & GNSS survey

Establish accurate ground truth using GNSS receivers and GCPs. Pre-mark control for both RGB and LiDAR missions.

  • Ground Control Point (GCP) network design and pre-marking
  • GNSS receiver setup — RTK and PPK workflows
  • Coordinate systems, datums and transformations
  • Check-point placement for accuracy validation
  • Integrating base-station corrections
Day3

RGB data capture (photogrammetry)

Supervised flights capturing high-resolution RGB imagery for photogrammetric processing. Practical session using the DJI Matrice 300 RTK with Zenmuse P1.

  • Pre-flight checks and sensor calibration
  • Autonomous grid and corridor flight execution
  • Camera settings, exposure and overlap management
  • When RGB excels: open terrain, urban sites, orthomosaics
  • Data management, naming and backup protocols
Day4

LiDAR data capture

Dedicated field session collecting LiDAR point clouds using the Zenmuse L1/L2 on the Matrice 300/350 RTK. Learn when LiDAR outperforms photogrammetry.

  • LiDAR sensor setup and IMU calibration
  • Flight planning for LiDAR — strip width, overlap, altitude
  • Data collection using Zenmuse L1/L2
  • When LiDAR excels: dense vegetation, forestry, power lines
  • Comparing LiDAR vs RGB outputs for the same site
Day5

Processing, deliverables & QA

Turn raw imagery and point clouds into professional deliverables using Pix4Dmapper, DJI Terra and Global Mapper. Verify project accuracy.

  • RGB processing: image alignment, dense cloud, orthomosaic, DSM/DTM
  • LiDAR processing: point cloud classification, filtering, DEM generation
  • GCP integration, georeferencing and accuracy reports
  • Export formats: GeoTIFF, LAS/LAZ, DXF, Shapefile
  • Workflow review and project accuracy verification procedures

Who this course is for

Individuals & freelancers

Launch or level-up a drone mapping career with a portfolio-ready skill set and certificate of completion.

Students & universities

Discounted rates for enrolled students and academic institutions. Ideal for geomatics, environmental science and engineering programmes.

Survey & engineering firms

Up-skill staff on photogrammetry and drone-based corridor surveys to bid on bigger contracts.

Government & counties

Build internal drone mapping capacity within county departments and parastatals.

Enrol now

Whether you're an individual, a student or enrolling a team — tell us your goals and we'll send a schedule and quote within 48 hours. Student and university discounts available.

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