What is the Cost of Gorilla Filming and Documentaries in Uganda?
The cost of gorilla filming and documentaries in Uganda varies depending on some significant factors. Knowing how much gorilla filming and documentaries in Uganda cost is important in planning a successful gorilla filming safari. The cost of gorilla filming for commercial reasons stands at USD 4800 per hour with the mountain gorillas.
The USD 4800 excludes the cost of gorilla permits which is USD 800 per visitor. Each gorilla filming crow must cover the cost of all 8 gorilla permits regardless of the destination in Uganda and how many participants are on the team. The 8 gorilla permits translate to USD 6400 which the film crew must clear in advance. You do not need to wait till the last minute. Environmental effect fees cost USD 240 and note that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) accepts a maximum of about 8 guests to engage in the gorilla filming adventure.
UWA also requires visitors to make a deposit of USD 1000 and this can be refunded upon the film crew sharing a copy of their gorilla film. The copy should be in DVD format. The DVD film will help UWA in their community sensitization activities as they educate and create awareness on how the endangered mountain gorillas should be protected and their significance to the country’s economy.
The cost of Uganda gorilla filming is USD 12440. This overall cost excludes meals, accommodation, transport, and clearance at the Entebbe International Airport. To be prepared enough, you need at least USD 5000 to help you cover the extra costs or expenses.
Where to go to film gorillas in Uganda
Gorilla filming in Uganda is best done only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two parks provide refuge to the highest concentration of the world’s remaining 1063 mountain gorillas. Overall, Uganda is home to 25 habituated gorilla families thus presenting filmmakers huge opportunities to engage in gorilla filming adventure.
There are five regions for visitors to start their gorilla filming and documentary journey in Uganda; Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo (these are found in Bwindi), then Ntebeko which is in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Requirements for gorilla filming and documentary
Visitors interested in gorilla filming and documentaries in Bwindi and Mgahinga must have clearance from the Uganda Media Centre. Participants are required to obtain a media card or Media Accreditation this is issued by the Uganda Media Centre, an entity that is completely separate from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The crew members are required to fill in from the Uganda Media Center and the details that will be captured include your full name, a copy of your passport, address, nationality, and current passport-size photos.
It is essential for you to also share how long or how many days you plan to stay in Uganda on gorilla filming and documentary vacation. Expect to get approval for the media card between 3 and 5 days. The local gorilla safari company on the ground can obtain the media form on your behalf and you can be guided on how to fill it correctly.
Once you have completed processing the media card, you can write a letter to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The letter should have the filming company, the purpose of the filming project, the expected dates to carry out the filming, and the destination you intend to conduct it.
When all the above details have been received, they can be scanned and sent back. The filming company or crew then enters into a written agreement or contract with UWA. UWA will go ahead to issue the permit for the crew to document gorillas in the respective destination (park) stated as per the filming company.
It is always an exceptional experience
Gorilla filming and documentaries are some of the special moments visitors get to capture the actual mountain gorilla in the wild the way it is. This is a perfect opportunity for visitors whose intentions are aligned with filming gorillas and making documentaries/videos of such unique apes as mountain gorillas. Gorilla filming and documentaries are essential not just for your own experiences but also play a critical role in creating awareness about the plight of endangered primates such as mountain gorillas.
Gorilla filming fees must be cleared for you to be allowed to embark on actual action-packed gorilla filming and documentaries. You can make bookings for your gorilla filming and documentary vacation through local operators such as Native Africa Tours. Note, the film crew is required to book the entire gorilla group permits.
Visitors who may prefer embarking on gorilla filming and documentaries in the gorilla groups designated for gorilla habituation, then they are required to have booking for such permits. Each of the gorilla habituation permits costs USD 1500 per person and habituation experience is only conducted in Bwindi National Park.
Best time to go for gorilla filming and documentary vacation
The best time of the year to experience the best gorilla filming and documentary is during the peak dry seasons or months. The dry months fall around June, July, August, and early September, and then another phase starts from December, January, to February. It is around these peak dry months of the year when the gorilla filming destinations in Uganda –Bwindi and Mgahinga record very little or completely no rainfall. With low or no rainfall, the gorilla habitats remain drier and easier to walk through as you carry out filming.
Where to stay during gorilla filming and documentaries in Bwindi/Mgahinga
The best places to consider spending a night during gorilla filming expedition in Uganda include Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and others.
Places to book for an overnight stay on a gorilla filming tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park include Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mucha Hotel Kisoro, Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Mgahinga Rest Camp, others.
How to get to Bwindi/Mgahinga for gorilla filming
Visitors on gorilla filming and documentary vacations can reach Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park by road or air. By road, you can be picked up at the hotel in Kampala or Entebbe City and transferred to southwestern Uganda. Driving to Bwindi/Mgahinga involves spending up to 8-9 hours on the road via Masaka-Mbarara to Kabale or Kisoro route.
In case you want to cut down on long hours and still prefer road travel, you can connect from Kigali capital of Rwanda. Getting from Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga includes a border crossing from the Katuna or Chanika border. The entire road trip from Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga takes about 4 to 5 hours and all journeys are best enjoyed using a 4×4 safari vehicle. Accompanying you will be a full-time English-speaking driver guide from Uganda –The Pearl of Africa.
By air –this option is notably the fastest means for visitors to reach their respective gorilla filming destinations. Fly-in gorilla filming tours include setting off from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro Airfield in Southwestern Uganda. When you finally land at any of the two airfields, you can be picked up by a professional driver who will drop you at your respective gorilla safari lodges in Bwindi or Mgahinga.
