Filming the Tree Climbing Lions in Uganda

Capturing the Essence: Filming Uganda’s Tree-Climbing Lions

Embarking on the cinematic journey of filming tree-climbing lions in Uganda demands meticulous planning and adherence to regulations. The Ishasha wilderness area within Queen Elizabeth National Park is the coveted location, offering a unique spectacle that necessitates compliance with Uganda Wildlife Authority guidelines. Prior approval and permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Civil Aviation are imperative, especially for aerial shooting. Trek Africa Film Fixers, your reliable local fixer, extends comprehensive support, managing filming permissions, press accreditation, customs clearing for equipment, security, transportation, and accommodation bookings.

Discovering Ishasha Wilderness Area

Renowned for its distinctive population of tree-climbing lions, the Ishasha wilderness area in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a captivating destination. These lions often lounge in the branches of acacia and fig trees, observing Uganda Kobs grazing on the open Ishasha plains. Leopards, too, occasionally join this arboreal spectacle, enhancing the filming experience. Beyond the unique wildlife, the Ishasha wilderness area boasts diverse inhabitants, including elephants, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kobs, and various bird species, creating a picturesque backdrop for your film.

Queen Elizabeth National Park encompasses the southern Ishasha wilderness area, known for its tree-climbing lions, and the Maramagambo forest, one of Uganda’s largest natural forests. The park’s northern Kasenyi plains and Mweya peninsular area, characterized by crater lakes and traversed by the Equator line, present additional opportunities for stunning visuals. The vast beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an ideal canvas for your filming project, with Trek Africa Film Fixers facilitating all necessary arrangements.

Requirements for Filming Tree-Climbing Lions

To film the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, securing a filming permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority is essential. Additionally, Media Cards from Uganda Media Council are required, and Trek Africa Film Fixers can efficiently process these as your local fixer. Filming fees, constituting 40% of park entrance fees and 15% monitoring fees, must be paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority. Temporary clearance for filming equipment is also necessary, with Trek Africa Film Fixers managing this process at the point of entry into Uganda.

Choosing Your Stay in Ishasha Sector

Ishasha sector offers a range of accommodation options catering to different budgets. Luxurious lodges like Ishasha Wilderness Camp provide unparalleled comfort, while budget and mid-range choices, such as Ishasha Jungle Safari Lodge, ensure a suitable stay. Trek Africa Film Fixers assists you in selecting the ideal lodge based on your budget and preferences.

Transportation to Ishasha Wilderness Area

Accessing the Ishasha wilderness area is facilitated by daily internal flights to Mweya Airstrip and Kihihi Airfield. Flying from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip allows for a quick journey of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. For filming equipment, road transport is often preferred due to flight capacity constraints. Alternatively, an 8-hour road trip from Entebbe/Kampala provides a scenic journey, with 4×4 vehicles ensuring comfort and safety throughout the trip.

Booking Your Filming Trip

Trek Africa Film Fixers streamlines the process of planning and executing your filming trip. From obtaining permits and clearances to coordinating accommodation and transportation, we handle every aspect of your production. Share your planned dates with us, and we will initiate the process, confirming availability, processing accreditations and clearances, and organizing the logistics for your tree-climbing lion filming. While nature’s unpredictability may influence lion sightings, our collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority ensures a dedicated effort to locate these majestic creatures. Contact Trek Africa Film Fixers for a customized quote and invaluable insights for your pre-production and post-production filming of tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha wilderness area of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.