A Practical Guide to Filming In Bwindi Forest National Park: What to film in Bwindi Forest NP, the Best time to film in Bwindi Forest, Where to Stay during your shoot in Bwindi Forest & More about Filming In Bwindi Forest National Park & its surrounding.
Primarily, all crew or individuals intending to film in Bwindi Forest National Park, ought to have applied and secure a media Permit (Press Accreditation) from the Uganda Media Council. Realm Africa safaris™ – a local film fixer in Uganda assists film crew planning to Film In Bwindi Forest in securing Press Accreditation ( Media cards) in a time frame of 2 -3 working days except for more sensitive projects.
Press accreditation (Media Permit) Application: how to apply for press accreditation in Uganda
Issuing of Media Cards (Press Accreditation) In Uganda is done by the Uganda Media council after each individual or crew member fills out FORM G. This form must be accompanied by copies of scanned passport (bios Page) and recent passport-sized photos to be used in processing your Medi card (Press accreditation).
It does take us approximately 02 – 03 working days from the time we receive all the above-mentioned documents to process your media card.
To accompany all the individually filled out FORM G’S for each crew member, the team leader has got to send us a detailed writeup or synopsis of the film you intend to shoot in Uganda.
After all the above is sent to us, will then proceed to submit these to the Uganda Media Council for scrutiny and approval. Upon approval, we will then contact and inform you of this achievement.
Press Accreditation (Media Permit) fees in Uganda (Payable to Uganda Media Council)
- a fee of US$175 per person is paid for a period not exceeding 30 days of the journalist’s stay.
- a fee of US$225 per person is paid for a period beyond 30 days up to six months of stay.
- a fee of US$325 per person is paid for a period of two years.
Location Permit (Bwindi Filming Permits): A Permit to Film In Bwindi Forest National Park
Having secured Press accreditation for each crew member, the next permission to worry about is a location permit. Your Filming location being Bwindi Forest National Park, we then have to contact Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the governing authority for parks in Uganda. UWA charges a 40% filming fee for the activity you intend to film plus a 10% monitoring fee; both fees are to be paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority. After which UWA will draft a filming agreement between you and them upon which you will append signatures in the agreement of the terms therein indicated. Realm Africa Safaris™ will assist you all through these processes to the very final point – its what we do best.
UWA Procedures: (**We have no influence on this but can only help you follow up the process on the ground)
Pre-application advice:
- UWA welcomes an initial conversation and/or site visit with filmmakers to discuss the logistics of your request and determine from an early stage what we may and may not be able to achieve. ()
- You should address all your enquiries to the Communications Manager at UWA Headquarters. (Realm Africa Safaris™ can assist acting as your representative)
- After initial discussions with the filmmakers or photographers to agree on activities, a formal application and letter must be submitted.
Fill in an application form (download from the link below) and send:
- Applications should be made using the UWA official application form only. (link provided below)
- UWA will acknowledge receipt of all applications within 24 hours and no later than 48 hours.
- All film requests must be sent in at least 3 weeks prior to the start date of filming/photography.
- All film requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the various sensitivities and other commitments of the protected areas but with a flexible approach aimed at helping, filmmakers/photographers meet their objectives.
Click to download and fill out this UWA Filming & Photography Application form
Realm Africa Safaris™– a local film fixer in Uganda can assist you in following up with the entire Filming permit application process. Our timeline is usually 2 – 3 working days except for if the project require more permissions. Contact us now to start processing your media permits (press accreditation), Location filming Permits, Location scouting, Film crew security, Crew & cast accommodation and Transportation.
