Shoebill Filming In Uganda

Shoebill filming In Uganda can be done in well-over nine known places spread accross cities and in the country-side. Depending on your location, travellers seeking to film the shoebill in Entebbe can consider visiting the nearby Mabamba Swamp – 45 minutes by boat on Lake Victoria. From Kampala, the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a close-by place to track and film the shoebill on your way to Murchison Falls National park. The other known places to conduct shoebill Filming In Uganda include; Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Lwera swamp, Makanaga Swamp, Toro-Semuliki reserve, Ishasha Sector (southern Queen Elizabeth NP) and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo).

No matter what your prefered choice of place to go Shoebill filming In Uganda, there is one very important thing you need to remember; both individuals and or media companies intending to do any kind of filming in Uganda must ensure they have secure and have in their possession all permits and permissions required prior to the start of filming.

Among the very important permits and permission needed is Press Accreditation cards and location filming permit for the group.

Press accreditation cards are issued to each individual on the crew, while Location permits are for the group.

How to apply and acquire Press Accreditaion for shoebill filming In Uganda

All foreign Journalist intending to engage in Filming In Uganda prior to the start of their shoot in Uganda must apply and acquire Press Accreditation to Film In Uganda. Each member of the crew is required to fill out FORM G (click here to download the form). After each individual Form G is completed, crew members MUST each attach scanned copy of their passport (Bios Page) and a recent passport-sized photograph to be used in processing the Press pass or Accreditation card.

A synopsis about your shoot must be sent through by your team leader. This explains in detail what the film or shoot is about. He/she must also remember to explain why this is being Shot or filmed in Uganda and also mention (where possible) how you think this will benefit Uganda and its people.

After all the above paperwork and documents are complete, send them to us via email: info@realmafricasafaris.com

Press Accreditation in Uganda is processed at the Uganda Media Centre and is approved by the Media council at their city office in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. All Filming permits are issued at the discretion of the Uganda media council – local fixers can only assist follow up with the process.

**Press accreditation process is considered complete at the Media Council offices after payment of the prescribed fees and issuance of an accreditation card.

Press Accreditation Fees payable to the 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.

How to secure a premit

For filming in Murchison Falls National Parks as earlier mentioned, we have to contact Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the body mandated by the Uganda government to oversee all activities in National parks, Reserves and any other protected areas. The fees of permits to shoot in Uganda park are assessed based on what the client (crew) wants to film, for what duration, the number of crew members and any other requests the client(s) might have for instance, if you request for extra Ranger support, want to film at night etc. UWA will then charge approximately 40% filming fee of the activity you intend to film plus a 10% monitoring fee both fees are to be paid to UWA. In all this, UWA will draft a filming agreement between the Client ( crew or production company) and them upon which you will append signatures in the agreement of the terms therein indicated.

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. (Local fixer can assist acting as your representative)
You should address all your enquiries to the Communications Manager at UWA Headquarters. (Local fixer 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 Filming or Photography Application form

OTHER OPTIONAL SERVICES THAT WE CAN OFFER

Kit Clearance services:

Dealing with the right persons (company) to assist you clear all your filming equipment will help make your shoot a success. Realm Africa Safaris™ can assist in clearing you Filming Kit at any entry point in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda & Rwanda. Among the things we do is assist in temporary importation of filming drones. However, drones being a sensitive subject, we often recommend starting this process a lot earlier. Ample time is the secret to successfully importing a drone in most destinations we fix.

Accommodation :

Realm Africa Safaris has a long-standing good working relationship with most hotels, lodges and inns in each of the destinations we fix. We are therefore in a better position to not only recommend but to also find the best rates and also book the accommodation for your film crew if need be.

Transportation:

Realm Africa Safaris™ operates a fleet of very reliable and purpose suited vehicles for filming. From open-sided jeeps to very basic closed cars including well-suited equipment carriers. We can arrange both your crew and equipment transportation.

Filming Security:

Our Filming security services are designed to secure your filming location, and protect your cast, crew, and equipment. Location shooting offers its own unique threats and risks, so we design patrol tours, standing guard placement, and post-order duties to maximize our surveillance and minimize opportunities for theft, trespassing, vandalism, disturbances, and other unwanted activity.

Read more about Film crew security

Shoebill Filming In Uganda