Top Places to film Primates in Uganda

Top Places to film Primates in Uganda: Exploring Prime Primate Filming Spots in Uganda

Top Places to film Primates in Uganda — Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of Africa, offers a myriad of enchanting locations for capturing primates in their natural habitats. For any media or production house embarking on the journey of shooting documentaries about primates in Uganda, the first step involves obtaining all necessary permissions. Trek Africa Expeditions stands ready to facilitate the entire process, from securing filming permissions and press accreditation to location scouting, providing local fixers, facilitating temporary kit customs clearance, organizing transportation and accommodation, and ensuring security throughout your stay in Uganda.

Popular Primate Filming Destinations in Uganda

Uganda holds the esteemed title of the “Primate Capital of World,” hosting over 13 primate species across various national parks and forest reserves. The Mountain Gorillas, residing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, reign supreme among Uganda’s primate inhabitants. Chimpanzees, another primate highlight, can be found in Kibale Forest National Park, Budongo Eco-Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Karinzu Eco-tourism Site, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. For those with an affinity for Golden Monkeys, Mgahinga National Park is an ideal destination. Trek Africa Expeditions is your dedicated partner in navigating the intricacies of primate filming, ensuring seamless pre-production and production experiences.

Primate Filming Havens: Specific Locations

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for Mountain Gorillas

Harboring nearly half of the world’s wild Mountain Gorilla population, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park beckons filmmakers seeking an authentic Gorilla experience. Trek Africa Expeditions assists in securing Gorilla permits, processing filming permissions, and advising on the choice of regions—Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, or Rushaga—based on your interests. The team also arranges transportation and accommodation for a hassle-free filming venture.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, offers a unique opportunity to film both Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys. Unlike Bwindi, Mgahinga has one habituated Mountain Gorilla family available for filming. The park occasionally hosts Gorilla families from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trek Africa Expeditions extends support in obtaining necessary permissions for your shoot.

Kibale Forest National Park

Situated in the western part of Uganda, Kibale Forest National Park stands as one of the premier primate filming locations. Home to numerous habituated Chimpanzee communities, the park provides an excellent setting for documentary shooting. With over 12 primate species, Kibale Forest National Park promises a diverse and captivating filming experience. Trek Africa Expeditions offers guidance on securing filming permissions from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, ensuring a smooth process.

Budongo Eco-Forest in Murchison Falls National Park

Northern Uganda boasts Budongo Eco-Forest, a prime location for primate filming, particularly Chimpanzees. With the highest number of Chimpanzees in East Africa, Budongo forest falls under the jurisdiction of the National Forest Authority. Filming activities here require approval from the National Forestry Authority, and Trek Africa Expeditions aids in navigating the necessary procedures.

Filming Requirements for Budongo Eco-Forest

Film crews venturing into Budongo Eco-Forest must pay a USD400 per person per day filming fee to the National Forest Authority. Additionally, a formal letter requesting permission to film Chimpanzees in Budongo Eco-Forest is mandatory. This letter should detail the crew’s identity, filming purpose, passport details, and designations. Trek Africa Expeditions assists in facilitating the submission of these documents to the National Forest Authority, ensuring a prompt processing timeline of 2-3 working days.

Kalinzu Eco-tourism Site

Positioned in southwestern Uganda, Kalinzu Eco-Tourism Site stands as another captivating primate filming destination. Home to several habituated Chimpanzee communities, this site offers opportunities for filming, photography, and documentary production. Following the same protocol as Budongo Eco-Forest, Kalinzu Eco-tourism Site is under the National Forest Authority. Film crews are required to pay a Chimpanzee tracking permit fee on top of the USD400 filming fee.

Necessary Steps for Filming Primates in Uganda

After selecting your preferred filming location, Trek Africa Expeditions steps in to assist in arranging press accreditation through the Uganda Media Council, booking Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits, processing filming permits with Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forest Authority, and facilitating temporary clearance for filming equipment. The team further organizes transportation, accommodation, and assigns a local fixer to oversee the primate filming project, ensuring a comprehensive and seamless experience.