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December 18, 2023Filming Nile Crocodiles on Film in Murchison Falls National Park – Permits and Clearances
Filming Nile Crocodiles in Murchison falls National Park – Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park emerges as an epicenter for witnessing one of Africa’s deadliest predators in the mighty Victoria Nile. This river segment forms an integral part of the Greater Nile River course, originating from Lake Victoria in Jinja, running through the Busoga region, entering Karuma Wildlife Reserve, and culminating in the famous Murchison Falls. The falls, renowned for hiking safaris, channel the river through a narrow 7×4 meter gorge before flowing down to Lake Albert, shaping the Albert Nile course. This course traverses South Sudan to Northern Sudan, ultimately meeting the Blue Nile from the Ethiopian Highlands and continuing to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
Why Film Nile Crocodiles in Murchison Falls?
- Protected National Park: Murchison Falls is a protected national park in Uganda, minimizing poaching activities and contributing to the rapid increase in the crocodile population.
- Abundance of Food: The falls act as a substantial carrier of food, as animals and fish passing through succumb to the strong currents, providing an easy source of sustenance for crocodiles waiting at the renowned Crocodile’s Pool.
- Large Population: Murchison Falls is home to an estimated population of over a thousand Nile crocodiles, spanning the river banks from the bottom of the falls to the Nile Delta where the river meets the lake.
- Accessibility: The Nile is accessible by boat from the bottom of the falls to the Nile Delta, the prime habitat of big Nile crocodiles. The water currents allow for quiet drifting without noise disturbances during filming.
- Diverse Wildlife: Besides Nile Crocodiles, the filming expedition in Murchison Falls National Park offers encounters with other wildlife, including hippos, waterbucks, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, and elephants.
Best Time for Filming Nile Crocodiles in Murchison Falls National Park
The optimal time for capturing Nile crocodiles on film in Murchison Falls National Park is during the dry season and the breeding season, which extends from December to early March.
Duration for Best Crocodile Filming Experience
An ideal timeframe for the best filming of Nile crocodiles is approximately one week to 10 days. This duration necessitates the support of a professional fixer and a private boat consistently.
Advance Booking and Planning
For a seamless filming experience, it is advisable to book at least six months in advance, especially during the high tourism season in December. This allows for better planning and the acquisition of filming permits from the National Park Authority.
For comprehensive information and assistance regarding the filming of Nile crocodiles in Murchison Falls, please reach out to Trek Africa Expeditions, a team of safari experts specializing in planning tailor-made safaris in East Africa.