Filming in Volcanoes National Park

Filming in Volcanoes National Park

When filming in Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is a national park that is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda. This park is one of the best places in the World to film Mountain Gorillas as it is a very suitable habitat for them as well as various primates including Golden Monkeys and several monkey species. The park is made up of rainforest vegetation and also has the volcanic ranges known as Virunga , Bisoke, Karisimbi, Mgahinga, . The park is one of the 3 national parks found in the Virunga volcano ranges with the other two including Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.

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What to expect when filming in Volcanoes national park.

Mountain Gorillas and Other Primates

Mountain Gorillas are one of the top attractions to film in Volcanoes National Park. The park also has other primates that include Golden monkeys and various species of monkeys. Filming the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park will require you to secure a gorilla permit that costs $1500 per person. This permit is acquired from Rwanda Development Board.

Birds species.

The park has around 200 recorded bird species. This makes Volcanoes national park one of the Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemics. Some of the birds found here include black crowned waxbill, common stonechat, Ruwenonri Turaco, Ruwenzori double collared sunbird, duckson crimson wing, handsome Francolin, strange weaver and many more.

Dian Fossey Tomb

Dian Fossey is a former leader that played a big role in the conservation and sustainability of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and the Virunga ranges. She dedicated her life to endeavor their protection and conservation. While doing this, she made a study about the mountain gorillas which took place at Karisoke Research center and it lasted for 18 years. She was mysteriously murdered in 1985 and later buried next to Digit her favorite gorilla friend in Volcanoes National Park.  You will find the gorilla graveyard has about a number of 20 gorillas that are buried here .These Gorillas were killed either by poachers or by natural causes.

The volcanic Virunga Mountains

The Volcanoes National Park holds Rwanda’s part of the Virunga mountain ranges. Five of these ranges are found in this park and they are Muhavura, Gahinga, Sabinyo, Bisoke, and Karisimbi. The ranges are amazing for filming Landscapes and craters on top of the Volcanoes.

Musanze Caves

These are caves that were formed due to a volcanic eruption that formed an underground space large enough for humans to enter. These Caves are over 1 million years old. The caves are believed to have been formed during the creation of the Volcanoes in the area.

What you need to film in Volcanoes National Park

First and foremost, You will need to have a filming permit which is the same as Media accreditation in Rwanda for you to be allowed to film in Volcanoes National Park. Let Film crew Fixers do it for you to avoid any hustle. The Filming permits in Rwanda cost $100 that is valid for a month and $200 valid for a period of 3 to 6 months. Depending on the location n that you are interested in, you might need to request for filming permission, this is mostly required when accessing government facilities or public spaces. While some permission will require you to make some payments, other are free are free of charge. Contact us at Film crew fixers

Rwanda Press Accreditation

For you to be accredited in Rwanda for filming, you are required to fill in an application form and below are the necessary requirments;

    • An Official letter requesting for accreditation addressed to the Executive Secretary

    • Two colored passport size photographs

    • A copy of your passport

    • A copy of visa except for those who come from countries that benefit from the Rwanda Visa Waiver For example From the East African Community member states, USA, COMESA Member states among others contact us for more details

    • A copy of a press card from your country of origin

    • A receipt of Payment from the Rwanda Revenue Authority

    • List of Filming equipment and kits to be used during your shoot

In addition to the above, you will be required to write a letter that has details of who you are, why you are filming, where you will be filming, and details of crew members on this shoot. This letter is attached to the other details provided. This process is always easier if you work with a fixer that is in the country this takes 2-3 working days for the press accreditation cards to be ready.

The prices of Rwanda Press Accreditation vary depending on the length of your shoot in Rwanda;

    • $100 Press Accreditation Card valid for 1 to 3 months

    • $200 Press Accreditation Card valid for 3 to 6 months

    • $300 Press Accreditation Card valid for 6 months to 1 year

Kindly note the rates above are used as a guide and these change from time to time. Contact us here for up-to-date rates.

Rwanda Visa Advice

You will need to purchase a Tourist visa for you to get into Rwanda for Filming. The visas can be applied for online and also at arrival at any entry point and in this case Kigali International Airport. The visa will cost USD51.00 for Tourist Visa you will get it immediately. Exceptions are for those come from countries that benefit from the Rwanda Visa Waiver For example the East African Community member states, USA, COMESA Member states among others don’t need to pay for the Visa and they will be cleared upon arrival at any point of entry into Rwanda contact us for more details.

Vehicle and Transportation Services

Film Crew Fixers will help you organize transport for film crews to film in Rwanda. The transportation services all depend on your interest, the nature of the roads and the schedule. For us to have a final estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to have an established mileage and distance to be traveled. We also organize both charter and scheduled air transport for those that are interested in flying to reduce the number of hours.

Lodging and Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park.

There are several options that you can choose from in Volcanoes National Park range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. These include Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotels, and Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Lebambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Virunga Hotel, Faraji Hotel, and La Palme Hotel and many more

Best time to film in Rwanda.

Filming in Volcanoes National Park is done throughout the year and the best time is during the dry season months of June to September and December to March.

Choose Film crew fixers.

Film crew Fixers is a film Fixing Company with its major office in Uganda, we pride ourselves with assisting 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 Rwanda.

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