Filming in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Filming in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Filming in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is done with permission from Uganda Wild Life Authority and media accreditation from Uganda Media Council. These permissions can easily be gotten with the assistance of a local Ugandan fixer who handles the application process on your behalf. Africa fixers offers local fixer services to crews planning to film in Bwindi national park Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park was established to protect the forest’s mountain Gorillas population from poachers and habitat loss. The gorillas in the park are divided in different families that can ne trekked every day. The park is also divvied in different sectors, namely Rushaga, Ruhija, nkuringo and Buhoma. The park is also a home to other primate species such a chimpanzees, monkeys and several bird species. While filming gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can also get a chance to film the native batwa people and other communities that surround the national park.

Necessary requirements to film in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Filming in Bwindi requires you to have a permit from Uganda wildlife authority as this is a national park that is under the management of UWA  In order to get a Filming Permit for Bwindi, one must write a letter requesting to be allowed to film. In addition to this, you are supposed to fill out an application form which is accompanied by a copy of the screenplay, a story synopsis, and a shooting schedule. These are then taken to the respective authorities by a local fixer who also follows up and ensures that everythiing is in order and your request to film in Bwindi International park is approved.  Contact us at Africa Fixers  For assistance with getting permission to film in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

Cost of Filming in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda wildlife Authority charges a 40 percent filming fee for all the activities done by the crew in the park. If you are using a drone, then a 50 percent is charged.  You are also required to pay the fees of the activity being filmed. Bwindi is popular for gorillas and a gorilla permit for foreign non residents is currently 800Usd per person. 

Media Accreditation to Film in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

Media accreditation is a must for all applications to make feature films or documentaries in Uganda. Each crew member is required to fill Form G with all details, in addition to that, a copy of his/her passport as well as one photograph to be put on his/her media card. An introduction letter from the filming company detailing who they are, why they are filming, where they will be filming and details of crew members on this shoot is also needed. Lastly, Crew members are to provide letters of Good conduct from Interpol and proof of application for a special pass Once these documents are shared with us, application is handled by our Local fixer. Media Accreditation costs 175 USD per person for a period of 30 days and 225USD for upto 6 months. The application process takes about 3-5 working days. 

Special Pass

Special passes are a mandatory requirement for media accreditation in Uganda. Special passes are issued out by the immigration of Uganda. The special passes cost 400USD per person and can be gotten in a period of 3-5 working days.  For assistance with getting a special pass to film in Uganda, contact us. 

Customs Clearance for Filming in Uganda

Uganda is not a member of the Carnet Free Systems Unions, so Carnet’s are not valid. The only process to get your equipment in and out of Uganda is through a bonded Agent. For this to be done successfully, you need to share  A comprehensive list of equipment and value  for the issuance of a Temporary Import Permit (TIP). A fee equivalent to 10% percentage of the value of the equipment is payable to Uganda Revenue Authority. This fee is non-refundable but it guarantees you safe entry and exit with your equipment.  As local fixers, we work with trusted bonded agents to ensure that film crews can clear their equipment and film in Uganda smoothly.

Visa Advice for filming in Uganda

In case of visas, we advise film crews to either get a tourist or business visa as both work well. Most film crews prefer getting their visas before coming to Uganda and this can be done online. If you would like help with applying the visas, we are able to do that to make it simple for you. 

Transportation when filming in Uganda

Africa Fixers organizes transportation for crews filming in Uganda. The transportation services all depend on your interest, the nature of the roads and destination. We also arrange charter flights for crews that would like to fly to certain destinations instead of drive because of the long distances. Our driver guides are very professional and conversant with the local areas of Uganda. For transport services when filming in Uganda, dont hesitate to contact us. 

Accommodation when filming in Bwindi Impenetrable

When filming in Bwindi Impenetrable national park, you have a range of accommodation options to choose from ranging from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose which lodges to stay in depending on your interests ,budget and the sector of the lodge where you will be filming. Options include Rushaga havens, Buhoma havens, Gorilla leisure lodge,  volcanoes lodge and many more. For assistance with accommodation booking, feel free to reach out. 

Best Time to Film in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is a rainforest and the park is likely to experience rain at anytime of the year. However the best recommended time to film is the dry season of May to August. During this time, gorillas can be easily seen because the vegetation is not dense and the roads are also easily to drive through. The wet season is also okay for filming as it is characterised with more lush vegetation.

Things to consider when Filming in Bwindi Impenetrable

Follow rules and regulations. When filming in Bwindi it is important to follow the rules set by Uganda wildlife authority and the ranger guides that will be with you especially when filming Gorillas. Your conduct should be respectful and ensure not to alarm the gorillas for your filming to go smoothly. These rules include Keeping a safe distance from the gorillas, flash light photography is not allowed, keeping quiet as noise disrupts the gorillas and staying in the time set which is 1 hour for a normal gorilla permit and 4 hours for gorilla habituation permits once they are found.

Drone regulations. Drone filming in Bwindi has to be done cautiously so as not to disrupt the eco system. Follow the standard drone rules and also stay in line with any regulations that will be given to you by Uganda Wildlife Authority. 

Proper Planning. It is important to plan your shoot in advance to ensure that permits are gotten on time as all the necessary permits can take upto 3 weeks. Our local fixer is available to work with you as you plan for the shoot to make sure that you have everything you need for a successful shoot in Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

Work with Africa Fixers to Film in Uganda

Africa fixers is a film Fixing Company based in Uganda. We assist filming companies and Production agencies that are interested in filming in several African countries. We are very capable in handling all fixer services required. Our team of local fixers and driver guides is very professional. Over the years, we have been able to get all relevant connections with other service providers and authority agencies to make sure that accreditation and filming permits are easily processed. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Uganda.