Mountain Gorillas are some of the world’s most endangered species, in case you wish to extend their story to their whole world, film fixers Uganda can organize for you recording session in Volcanoes national park, Bwindi impenetrable National park, Mgahinga Gorilla National park and Virunga National park in Rwanda. We also extend our filming services in Democratic Republic of Congo at Kahuzi Biega National Park for lowland gorilla family. We organize all the permits necessary for you to execute your recording session in any of these national parks.
Requirements for Gorilla Filming in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo:
Uganda is one of the top destinations for gorilla filming which is done in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Filming gorillas is one of the top experience in Uganda and the world at large. Filming gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo is done in Viruga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Parks while in Rwanda, gorilla filming is done in Volcanoes national Park. For effective gorilla filming below are crucial requirements:
- Media card/ pass/ permit – Any foreign journalist, foreign media group or company intending to go gorilla filming in Uganda, must first acquire filming permit. Each crew member must apply for a media card or press accreditation.
- Location filming permit – Location filming permits are issued by the authorities of a particular area an individual or a filming crew is planning carry our filming from. For example, cities, towns, villages, Game reserves or National Parks among others. To acquire a location permit, the one intending to film should clearly state where to film, when to film, why to film and so on.
- Custom clearing of gorilla filming gear/ equipment at the Airport and all ground border posts.
- Each Filming crew member must purchase a gorilla permit on addition to other expenses like location contract, media card, clearing of gorilla filming gear among others.
Gorilla Filming in Uganda:
Gorilla Filming is one of the major activities done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The filming crew should first acquire media card or accreditation from Uganda Media council. More so, the filming group should apply for the location filming permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority and pay in advance for both media card and U.W.A Filming permits that is why Crystal Filming crew Uganda was formed to assist you in the process of getting filming permission in Uganda, Rwanda, Kanya, Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Cost of Gorilla Filming in Uganda:
The cost of gorilla filming in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National is the same. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, they charge 40% cost of the product to be filmed and so gorilla filming. More so, 50% cost of the product to be filmed by the drone. Say, the current cost of Gorilla permit is US$800, 40% is US$280 on addition to a gorilla permit for each gorilla filming crew member.
If you want to spend more time with gorillas like 4 hrs gorilla habituation, the photographer of filming crew will pay 40% of the cost of gorilla habituation permit ($1500) plus a gorilla habituation permit for each gorilla filming member. Therefore, 40% of US$1500 is US$600 plus US$1500 totaling to $2100 to be paid by each filming crew member.
Note: Uganda wildlife Authority keeps on reviewing prices and Crystal film fixers Uganda will keep updating you.
Gorilla Filming in Rwanda:
Gorilla Filming in Rwanda targets Mountain Gorilla specie which colonized Volcanoes National Park. Compared to Uganda Gorilla parks, Volcanoes National Park is easily reached from Kigali city (2hrs drive) to the northern province of Rwanda. Rwanda with 10 habituated gorilla families is worth filming however, you need advance acquisition of Gorilla filming permission from Rwanda government and Location permit from Rwanda Development Board.
Cost of Gorilla Filming in Rwanda:
All those who are interested in filming and making professional photography of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park will have to pay USD5000 for the filming pass that will last or valid for the 3 consecutive days in Volcanoes National Park. In addition to this money, you will have to pay USD2000 that will act as security and this will be refunded at the end of the activity after you have submitted the copies of the filmed gorillas to the Rwanda Development Board.
On addition to filming cost, each film crew member needs to purchase a gorilla permit at US$1500 each that will allow you to engage Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.
Note: A maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and each crew member should submit his or her gorilla filming at least 4 months in advance to the concerned authorities (Rwanda Development Board).
Gorilla Filming in Democratic Republic of Congo
Whereas Uganda has two gorilla parks (BINP & MGNP), Democratic Republic of Congo is gifted with three Gorilla parks (VNP, KBNP & Maiko N.P). DRC has comparative advantage of hosting both Low land and Mountain Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Virunga National Park respectively.
From Bukavu you can film lowland gorillas in Kahuzi – Biega National Park, Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu, and Minova village and from Goma city, Film crew can film Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has no specific permitting system in place so location permits are negotiated on ground. More so, Gorilla filming in Kahuzi Biega National Park doesn’t require you get media permits in advance however, unauthorized filming of government buildings, military installations, and along border areas is illegal and may result in arrest and confiscation of film equipment. Additional permission is also required for shoots that require exclusive use of public space, traffic control, filming in markets, national parks and drone filming.
Gorilla Filming in Virunga National Park Targets Mountain Gorilla specie. Virunga National Park is located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and one of the oldest National Parks in Africa. You can go gorilla Filming in VNP from Goma city but you need to first get authorization from DRC government to offer you security throughout your shooting.
Virunga National Park is easily reached from Goma city and its where most of the Gorilla filming activities takes place however, its better to explore other gorilla parks like Kahuzi Biega and Maiko National.
Advantages of Gorilla Filming in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo:
For many reasons, every living person should go gorilla filming in any gorilla park. Gorilla filming aims at capturing photos for generations. Gorilla filming is among the major activities done in Gorilla Park however, filming crews do it for several reasons aiming at benefiting them, nations and Gorillas among others. Below are some of the advantages of Gorilla filming in Uganda, Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo:
Protect Gorillas and conserve their habitat – Part of revenue from Gorilla filming is used to employ ranger guides and equip them with the necessary requirements aiming at controlling poaching, disease control and conservation of gorilla habitats like forests, valleys, swamps among others.
Source of employment – filming crew members earn a living, some people film for business promotions and so on.
While gorilla filming, there are chances of capturing other tourist attractions in the foreground or the back ground.
Best time to Film Gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo:
Crystal Film fixers Uganda do organize gorilla Filming excursions throughout the year however, dry season is the best time. Dry months include June to August or December to February. Wet season include April, May and November experience much rainfall which can destruct your filming activities. Always keep in touch with crystal Film Fixers to keep you up dated.