Filming in Hwange National Park
Hwange national park is the largest and one of the most popular parks in Zimbabwe, situated between Bulawayo and Victoria falls. It prides itself as a home to over 100 mammal species, with 19 enormous herbivores and 8 big carnivores. Hwange national park is also a haven to 400 bird species that would offer an amazing opportunity for filming and shooting different birds. This park is famous for its large number of elephants. This offers a 100% chance of sighting and filming these big mammals. The national park also harbors an endangered population of wild dogs. Hwange National Park has also recorded several sightings of other big cats, majorly the cheetahs, leopards, and lions for those interested in these carnivores. This national park offers the opportunity to film them in their natural habitat. Besides these, the park has several other wildlife species that are good for filming, namely buffalos, hippos, hyenas, zebras, and wildebeest. Someone can sight well the animals during the dry season when they gather around waterholes to drink water.
Filming birds in the National Park
With over 420 species recorded, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s birding hotspot. The park is best known for its huge variety of raptors; about 50 species have been recorded. The bateleur eagle is very common and can usually be seen soaring overhead. Grassland birds are well represented too; kori bustard, southern ground hornbill, and secretary bird are some of the more conspicuous ones. Migratory birds flock to the park in big numbers from November to April.
The scenery of the park
The park is situated on the eastern edge of the vast Kalahari sands and scrublands. Habitats include teak forest, thornveld, and mopane woodland. There is little natural water in the park and animals are dependent on artificial waterholes.
Requirements to film in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
In order to film in Hwange national park. You will need to acquire permission. The process of securing a filming permit in Zimbabwe can be time-consuming so it needs enough time before the filming in order to complete the necessary process and secure the filming permit. Filming permits in Zimbabwe are processed by the ministry of information. Since it’s a national park, park charges by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority also apply.
Media accreditation is also vital for filming in Zimbabwe and the application is made to the Zimbabwe media council. The charge for accreditation is 2000usd for shoot accreditation application and in addition to this, each member of the crew pays 200usd. Contact film crew fixers for further information on the requirements for filming in Hwange national park.
Filming equipment also needs to be cleared and this can be done through a bonded agent or securing a 5% percent of the value of equipment, however, this is not advisable and the preferred procedure is that of using a bonded agent. Film crew fixers has all the necessary connections with a number of bonded agents that can clear your equipment on entry and exit. Contact us for any help with kit clearing.
Zimbabwe visa and work permit advice
A tourist visa or business visa can work for your entry into the country. Film crews prefer getting their visa before coming into the countries and this is possible through the online system of the Zimbabwe department of immigration. Proof of yellow fever and vaccination and a Covid 19 free negative certificate are necessary for entry. The prices of visas and work permits change regularly. For updated information regarding travel to Zimbabwe, you can contact us or your embassy.
- A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months
- Passports must have at least three empty pages
- Citizens of most countries require a visa, which can be obtained at arrival
- A list of countries whose citizens don’t require a visa or can acquire one upon arrival is available
- A list of countries whose citizens are required to obtain their visa in advance is available. The application can be made online.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required
Zimbabwe transport services
Film crew fixers organizes transportation for film crews to film in Hwange national park. Depending on their interest and Budget and the nature of roads to the destination. We organize both road and air transport for film crews. We recommend customized 4×4 safari land cruisers for vehicles because of the nature of roads in Zimbabwe. These land cruisers cost USD200-250 per vehicle per day. Fuel is estimated on the number of days that are scheduled by the filming schedule. We will need to look at it for establishing the mileage and distance to be traveled.
How to get to Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is very accessible. The Main Camp can be reached on a tar road, 200km/124mi south of Victoria Falls. The drive takes less than three hours .To reach some of the other camps deeper in the park, a 4WD might be necessary, especially during the wet months, from November to May. Some of the lodges have airstrips for chartered flights. You will probably arrive in Zimbabwe by flying to Victoria FallsAirport (VFA), near the town of Victoria Falls. Usually, you will be picked up from the airport or hotel by your fixer guide, who will be with you onwards as you travel throughout the country as part of your filming package.
Film fixers in Zimbabwe to help you film in Hwange National Park
All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to most of the parts in Zimbabwe and are very conversant with the local situations .they provide relevant information and fix any situation on the ground. They also act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location. Contact us if you need a film fixer in Zimbabwe.
What is the best time to film in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
Filming in Hwange national park can be done throughout the year however, the months between May to October are best to film because they are sunny and hot unlike the other months that are rainy. Hwange is at its best in the dry months (July to October), when animals crowd the waterholes. You pretty much have Hwange to yourself in the Wet season (November to April), but animals are more scattered at that time. July to October, in the Dry season, is the prime time for wildlife viewing in Hwange National Park. The many waterholes become gathering places for animals, while the thinning vegetation makes them easier to spot. Keen birders, however, might enjoy the summer months from November to April when migratory birds are present.
Where to stay when filming in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
Accommodation options when filming in Hwange national park in Zimbabwe. These range from budget, midrange, and luxury. Your choice of accommodation depends on your interest and budget. Lodge options include Nehimba lodge, Hwange safari lodge, the hide, Somalisa camp, and many others. contact us to help with reservation and more information on accommodation.
Why use film crew fixers to film in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
Film crew fixers is a company based in Uganda that assists production agencies and filming companies in South and East African countries as a whole. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides. We have all the relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies to make sure that accreditation and filming permits are processed in a short time. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Hwange national park in Zimbabwe.
