Nothing brings fresh memories of your adventures like gorilla filming tours in Uganda. Embarking on a gorilla filming tour in Uganda is the best way to capture real-time moments of mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Are you interested in adventures that create long-lasting memories? Then consider booking gorilla filming tours in Uganda with an expert.
With gorilla filming, expect more than complete immersion into the African jungle. The walk into the jungle presents you with a rare opportunity to record a video, a documentary, and take photos of the gorillas within their home range. Experiences such as gorilla filming are exceptional, and choosing Uganda as your destination is the wisest decision any nature enthusiast can make.
The normal day of gorilla filming in Uganda involves trekking into the forest to visit the respective gorilla family assigned to you. The filming crew or company is led by an expert from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Uniqueness of Gorilla Filming Tours in Uganda
There are many factors that make gorilla filming in Uganda unique. They include, among others;
Access to over half of the 1063 mountain gorillas on earth
Uganda shelters up to half the world’s mountain gorilla population. By booking gorilla filming tours, you have the opportunity to access these unique apes in their natural environment. The highest concentrations of mountain gorillas in Ugandan tropical forests increase visitor chances to film a significant population of these rare apes compared to the rest of the destinations.
Over 25 gorilla groups
Uganda presents abundant gorilla filming opportunities compared to any gorilla safari destination in Africa. Over 25 gorilla groups have undergone successful habituation and are open for filming. During gorilla filming, visitors are required to book the entire gorilla family group. Choosing Uganda for your gorilla filming tours increases the chances to realize your dream.
The gorilla groups in Uganda range from varied locations each guaranteeing you scenic and distinct volcanic landscapes. The overall filming experience comes with unique backgrounds and gorilla behaviors for filmmakers to capture.
4-Hour Gorilla Habituation
Beyond filming the gorilla groups present for normal gorilla treks, Uganda also offers filmmakers a rare opportunity to engage in the gorilla habituation experience. Filming excursions during gorilla habituation reward filmmakers up to 4 hours with mountain gorillas. Gorilla habituation experience is one of a kind primate adventures and is only enjoyed in Uganda, particularly in the Rushaga sector.
Exceptional ecosystems for gorilla filming tours in Uganda
Embarking on gorilla filming in Uganda promises you exceptionally dramatic, scenic, and mystical landscapes, first in the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Secondly, at Mgahinga, expect to capture the distinct backdrop of the Virunga Mountain ranges.
Affordable packages for gorilla filming tours in Uganda
Uganda provides 100% affordable gorilla filming permits and packages compared to Rwanda. This makes Uganda a preferred gorilla filming destination for most commercial crews and documentarians.
Quality gorilla films/documentaries
The unique bit about Uganda gorilla filming is that visitors are guaranteed with more detailed and high-quality films/documentaries. The filmmakers/documentarians maximize their sessions to capture every moment of mountain gorilla behavior. The professional content creators and wildlife documentary agencies/foreign press are a priority.
Why should you book Gorilla Filming Tours in Uganda?
Booking gorilla filming tours in Uganda is one way that filmmakers/documentarians can contribute to the development of the country’s tourism sector. Securing gorilla filming permits means that you have played a part in raising valuable resources intended to help in gorilla conservation and habitat protection. Additionally, the documentaries/films made play a remarkable role in creating awareness globally on the status of mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are among the world’s endangered species and reside in only 3 countries (Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo). Securing a gorilla filming slot in Uganda guarantees you sensational encounters with these unique species in their habitats, not the zoo experience. Gorilla filming is completely different from the standard gorilla treks because it only involves filming crews and a professional park ranger guide.
Where to go for Gorilla Filming Tours in Uganda
In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offer filmmakers a unique chance to embark on filming tours. Both Bwindi and Mgahinga are lying in the far Southwest of Uganda, supporting over half of the world’s 1063 endangered mountain gorillas. Approximately 25 habituated gorilla groups reside in Uganda alone, offering multiple opportunities for filmmakers/documentarians to achieve their dreams.
Filmmakers can choose the destination of their dream, and each place promises remarkable filming experiences. Bwindi holds the largest population of gorilla families, unlike Mgahinga with only one habituated group. At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, filming can begin from the four (4) sectors, including Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. The four regions (sectors) exist in the different parts of Bwindi, with Nkuringo & Rushaga existing in the Southern end, while Buhoma is situated in the Northern section & Ruhija in the East.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a special spot for documentarians/filmmakers interested in exclusive filming adventures. At Mgahinga, the journey to film the Nyakagezi gorilla family starts from the Ntebeko sector. Unlike Bwindi, Mgahinga only takes up to 8pax per day.
How much are Gorilla Filming tours in Uganda?
Gorilla filming in Uganda is generally budget-friendly, with Uganda Wildlife Authority charging filming fee at 40% of the cost for the activity. The gorilla filming fee excludes US Dollars 800/1500 for securing the trekking or habituation permits. However, if you are using a drone, you will be charged 50% of the activity.
Also, take note of accreditation fees, which vary depending on the duration/per person. Accreditation permits are valid for 3 months, and charged US Dollars 175, and 1 year, you pay US Dollars 225. Accreditation permits valid for 2 years cost US Dollars 325 per person. A special work/pass permit can be secured at US Dollars 400 per film crew member.
Procedures and Guidelines for Gorilla Filming in Uganda
Media accreditation is a must-have requirement for a company/organization that is planning gorilla filming tours in Uganda. The filmmakers with plans to go gorilla filming in Uganda require the press accreditation, which is to be obtained from the Media Council of Uganda.
All the filming equipment should be declared at customs upon entry into the Entebbe International Airport (EBB).
A safe distance of at least 10m should be maintained when filming gorillas in the wild.
A local fixer should be involved. Hire a trusted and licensed Ugandan production company to enable you to meet the bureaucratic process, secure permits, and also handle customs.
Submit a request letter –Apply to Uganda Wildlife Authority, stating the project details, including your film crew size, a synopsis, intended dates, and equipment list.
Secure a special pass or work permit through the Directorate of Citizenship & immigration control.
Consider only neutral-colored clothing for your gorilla filming tours in Uganda.
Pack waterproof walking or hiking boots since the filming of the gorilla adventure involves navigating the rainforest. Besides hiking boots/shoes, ensure that you have a sweater, a rain jacket, a first aid kit, insect repellents, and some snacks/bottled drinking water.
When choosing the camera to use, we recommend non flash type & ensure low volume is kept when shooting a film/video/taking a picture of gorillas. Flashlights and unnecessary noise can disrupt the normal behavior of gorillas, which can make them charge against the crew.
A temporary import permit –TIP is essential for gorilla filming tours in Uganda. Expect to pay a 10% of the value of the equipment, and it is non-refundable. But securing it in advance increases your chances of entry and exit with filming gear.
Drone to be used during filming of gorillas is restricted and must be approved by most Ugandan government bodies like Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, the Chief of Defense Forces, and lastly by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Due to the tedious process, it is recommended to begin the steps early before the actual date for embarking on the Uganda gorilla filming adventure.
Consider small crews when planning a successful gorilla filming tour. The small filming crew is usually easier to manage once it gets access to the gorilla habitat. You could consider maintaining the size to 8 visitors as per the standard capacity for a gorilla group in Uganda.
Best Time to Go for Gorilla Filming Tours in Uganda
Gorilla filming tours in Uganda (Bwindi or Mgahinga) are best done during the peak months (dry seasons). Each travel calendar comes with 2 peak dry seasons, long which are recorded from June to September, and December to February for the shorter dry period.
The wet or rainy months come with a stunning green landscape, but are usually dominated by heavy rains. Due to endless rains that occur during the wet season (March-May/October-November), the forest floor often becomes muddy/slippery, making it a little challenging to successfully walk while filming gorillas.
Is it worth booking gorilla filming in Uganda?
To any enthusiastic filmmaker, Uganda is an unmatched destination when it comes to filmmaking/production or documentaries. Visiting Uganda for gorilla filming tours guarantees you an exceptional adventure. The filmmakers have a chance to capture more than the majestic mountain gorillas.
Conclusion, gorilla filming tours in Uganda offer a unique opportunity for you to immerse into the jungle and capture real-time gorilla moments in their habitat. Book your gorilla filming tour to Uganda through an expert. So contact our team to guide you step-by-step on planning and booking your dream gorilla filming excursion in Uganda.
