Where to find and film Zebras in Zimbabwe
Zebras are known for their striking black and white patterns that are unique to each animal. These stripes help them to socialize and recognize each other and also camouflage and protect themselves from predators. These herbivores can be found in the following places in Zimbabwe.
Mana pools National Park
The park is located in the northern region of Zimbabwe on the southern banks of the Zambezi River in the middle Zambezi valley. The park harbors most of the big safari animals. It is most popular of its large herds of zebras and elephants that are in abundance all over the park. Other common animals in the park are the hyenas, the buffalo and the hippos. The lions and leopards are also sighted occasionally.
How to get there
The remote Mana Pools National Park is located in the northern tip of the country, 388km/241mi from Harare and far from any human settlement. The park is mostly off limits to vehicles from November to April. Travel by 4WD is essential. Most people fly into Mana Pools airstrip from Kariba, although charters can be booked from other destinations in Zimbabwe. You will most likely enter the country via Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), a short distance from the town of Victoria Falls. Alternatively, you can fly to Harare International Airport (HRE) and drive from there. Your fixer package likely provides for further transportation throughout Zimbabwe as arranged by your fixer Operator.
Matusadona National Park
The Matusadona national park is located on the southern shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. The park got its name from the local matuzviadonha hills. The zebras can also be found in this park and filmed. Matusadona offers excellent wildlife viewing of most big safari animals, including the Big Five. Black rhino is present and can be tracked on foot. The lakeshore is excellent for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, impala, Kudu and buffaloes. Lions, Leopards and spotted Hyenas are present in good numbers.
How to get there
Matusadona National Park is located in the northwest of the country on the shore of Lake Kariba and is 470km/292mi northwest of Harare. The drive into the park from Victoria Falls is very rough and needs a 4WD. In the Wet season from November to May, the road tends to be unnavigable. The best way to get to Matusadona is by chartered plane or by boat across the lake from Kariba, which is 18km/11mi away. Victoria Falls airport (VFA) is the main point of entry into Zimbabwe. Alternatively, you can fly to Harare International Airport (HRE) and fly or drive from there. Your pick-up from the airport will be arranged by your fixer as part of your filming package. You can opt to fly to Tashinga camp instead of driving. This camp has a landing strip found in the north west of Matusadona.
Zambezi National Park
Originally part of the Vitoria falls national park, Zambezi national park is a small park full of magnificent wild life features. Four of the Big Five animals are present in the park, but the zebras, elephants and buffalos are more sighted compared to the others. Rhino is absent and the Leopard is rarely spotted, the lion sightings are becoming common with time. African wild dog can also be spotted in the park, and the best chance to spot them is during the denning season, from May to August
How to get there
Zambezi National Park is located less than 5km on a road from Victoria Falls town. Your main point of entry into Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls Airport (VFA). Your transportation will normally be provided by your local fixer operator as part of your filming package. This usually includes pick-up from the airport or hotel.
Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou National Park is located in the south eastern region of Zimbabwe. The wildlife in the park is in big numbers. The area is filled with a variety of species. The zebras, elephants, and buffaloes that are common. The giraffe, wildebeest and hyenas. Rarely sighted animals include. Lions, leopards, cheetah and wild dogs. This park also has the variety of antelope species namely the sable antelope, the tiny suni and the nyala antelope.
How to get there
Gonarezhou National Park is remote and relatively inaccessible. There are two areas to visit: Chipinda HQ is located 550km/342mi south of Harare, and Mabalauta HQ is located 667km/414mi south of Harare. The roads in the park are often very poor, especially in the Wet season, and a good 4WD is essential. Some lodges have airstrips, and we can organize chartered flights. The road transfer to the lodge from the airport takes 45 minutes. Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) will be the point of arrival for most safaris. Another option is to fly to Harare International Airport (HRE). Your filming package includes travel arrangements throughout the country booked by your local fixer operator.
Requirements to film zebras in Zimbabwe
In order to film Zebras. 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. National 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 Zimbabwe.
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. The single entry visa costs USD30. Film crews prefer getting there 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 your embassy or us regarding the following issues.
• 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 Zimbabwe 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.
Best time to film Zebras
The climate in the parks is bound to two distinctive periods. The Dry season (April to October) is categorized by warm days and cold nights. Everything changes with the coming of the very warm Wet season (November to March), especially in October when the park’s lower altitudes rise in temperatures of up to 40°C/104°F.
Dry season (July to October) is the best time to spot these animals via waterholes and rivers. Sunny, clear skies and an absence of mosquitoes are the other advantages of visiting at this time of year. The dry season is also best because of the road situation in the parks. Travelling in the wet season will be difficult since the roads are hard to maneuver during the season
Film fixers in Zimbabwe to help you film in Zimbabwe
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 ground. They also act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location. Contact us if you need a film fixer in Zimbabwe.
Why use film crew fixers to film 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 Zimbabwe.
