Filming Lions In Tanzania
Filming lions in Tanzania. Lions are big cats that belong to the genus panther family. Lions are admired for their strength and courage. Lions socialize in groups known as prides which are usually in numbers of 2 to 30 lions. The males are the defenders and the females do the hurting for the pride. The lions can be filmed in the following places.
Tarangire national park
Tarangire National Park is located close to Arusha town. The park is known to have a high concentration of wildlife and it comes second to Serengeti. The park is made of several vegetation habitats and beautiful scenaery. The park has large herds of elephants. It also has wildebeests, zebras, elands, buffaloes, impalas, gazelles, hartebeests elands, stately fringe-eared oryx, and peculiar long-necked gerenuk.
The park is famous for having tree Climbing Lions which can only be found here or in Lake Manyara National Park in southern Tanzania, Kruger national park of South Africa and Queen Elizabeth National Park southern part Ishasha section Ugandan. These lions are have behaviors of climbing trees in order to stay away from the irritation of insects and the heat on the ground. It is also easy for them to spot their prey from above making it easy for them to hunt
Serengenti national park
Serengeti National Park one of the best places to film wildlife in Tanzania. The park is the oldest in the whole country. It is very popular for the wildebeest migration that happens annually. The migration always consists of millions of animals’ crossing over from Serengeti to masai mara and back to Serengeti in search for greener pastures and water during the dry season. In addition to this you can film the birthing season of the wildebeests. During this time, the wildebeests produce approximately 500 young ones every day. With its variety of habitants that include woodlands, riverine forests, and grassland plains, the park harbors big populations of different wildlife species. These include elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, zebras, gazelles, spotted hyenas, crocodiles, jackals, serval, cheetahs and so many more.
Katavi national park
Katavi National Park is the home to the world’s largest population of buffaloes. The park is located in the western part of Tanzania. .the park is the third largest in the country and it one of the untouched beautiful vegetation because it is not visited so much. It is made up of flood plains, woodlands, grasslands, seasonal lakes and forests. In this park, you can film buffaloes, hippos, elands, crocodiles, lions, zebras, elephants, antelopes and so much more. In this park is a Tamarind tree that is legendary known for being a house of the spirit of Katabi who was once a great hunter in the area.
Arusha national park
Arusha National Park is located close to Arusha town in Tanzania. The park is one of the popular homes to various wildlife. The eco system I the park is one of a kind. The park has a variety of vegetation that include dense forests, swamps, grasslands, lakes and alpine highlands. Arusha National park habitats range from swamps, grassland, lakes, dense forest, and alpine highland. In this park you will find a variety of Wildlife that includes elands, waterbucks, hippos, baboons, hyenas, leopards, buffaloes, warthogs, zebras and so much more. In addition to this, you will also find a good number of bird species that include turacos, sacred ibis, greater flamingo, maccoa duck, lesser flamingo, giant lobelia and many more.
Lake Manyara national park
Lake Manyara National Park is situated in the regions of Arusha and Manyara. The major feature of this park is the alkaline Lake Manyara. The park is a protected area with different kinds of vegetation that act as habitats for wildlife. They range from swamps, grasslands, to underground forests. In this park , you have the opportunity to film elephants, African golden cats, cheetahs, baboons, zebras, Thomosons gazelle, African civet, leopards, serval, lions , impala, cape buffalo, hippos , spotted hyena and many more. You will also be able to film the endangered Oreochromis amphimelas of the cichlid family that is endemic to Lake Manyara. The park is also a haven for over 30 bird species and 180 butteefly species.
Ikona wildlife management area
The Ikona Wildlife Management Area was set up in2007 with the purpose of being a home to migrating animals. The animals usually migrate from serengenti national park to masai mara national park and vice verse annually. This area is good for those interested in filming the annual wildebeest migration as this is one of the places with wildebeest populations during that time. In addition to wildebeests, you can also film buffaloes, elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, klipspringers and many more. You can also take the opportunity to film the conservation activities of the local communities in the area.
Ruaha national park
Ruaha National Park is part of the greater Rungwa –kizigo –Muhesi eco system. The park acts as a home to wildlife in addition to the Kizigi, Rungwa and Muhesi game reserves. The park is known for having plenty of amazing backdrops of the landscape. This park gives you an opportunity to film the greater Kudu which can only be found here in Tanzania. In addition to that, you will also be able to film antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, jackals, foxes, zebras, impalas and wild dogs. The park is a haven for several birds which include fish eagles, hornbills, sunbirds, ashy starlings, black colored lovebirds and many more.
What you need to film in Tanzania
First and foremost, need to get a filming permit from the Tanzania Film Censorship Board and the Department of Antiquities in the Ministry of Natural Resources and tourism. Without this permit, you cannot be allowed to film in Tanzania. Getting a filming permit can be time consuming and for that reason needs to be planned for ahead of time. The normal permit is for 1500usd which is required of you to apply 3 minutes in advance. For last minute shoots, you have to pay a fee of 3000usd for the filming permit. Once the application is done, film crew fixers submits it for finalization with the Tanzanian Authorities. Deepening on where you want to film, you may be required to pay other fees since different locations are managed by different authorities.
Tanzania Visa
The Tanzanian visa can be gotten both online and on ground but you’re advised to get it before your entry into the country. The tourist visa goes for 100usd. Once the visa is applied for it is easily gotten. In addition to these, you will need a full Covid vaccination certificate and proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Media accreditation
All members of the crew are supposed to have accreditation. Without it, you cannot be allowed to film in Tanzania. Press accreditation has to be done through a local fixer agent. This requirement is mandatory for all applications to make feature films or documentaries. Every member of the crew is required to fill an application form (which we normally send to you) with all details. After scanning it is sent back to us with a copy of the original passport and a passport sized photograph. The whole process of media accreditation takes about two to three weeks.
Customs clearance
For crews who are interested in bringing in their own equipment into the country have to go through customs clearing , Film crew fixers makes sure that the equipment is successfully cleared in for the time period need. Clearance is done through a bonded agent. You have to send a list of the kit. The list should have the type, serial numbers and the value on dollars. 10 percent charge is paid for the equipment to be cleared.
Vehicle and Transportation Services
Film Crew Fixers will help you organize transport for film crews to film in Tanzania. 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.
Lodge and Hotel options to stay in vary from Budget, and mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and location.
Best time to film in Tanzania.
Filming in Tanzania 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 Tanzania.
