Shoebill Filming In Makanaga Swamp
Shoebill Filming In Makanaga Swamp – Permits & Permissions needed to film the shoebill In Makanaga – the best time to go filming – How to get to Makanaga Swamp.
Makanaga Swamp is one of the Top five Places to see & film the elusive shoebill stork in Uganda. Given its remote location, not many people visit this swamp thus making it a wonderful location for an off the record filming experience.
For anyone to indulge in filming the shoebill at Makanaga Swamp, they ought to have applied (in advance) for all the relevant permits and permissions. In order of importance, we will give details of what permits – where to get them and the cost(s).
Press Accreditation: It is mandatory for any foreign journalist, filmmaker and or media production crew to ensure they have a media card permitting them to conduct any sort of filming within Uganda. Press Accreditation in Uganda is issued by the Uganda media council.
The process of applying for press accreditation to film in Uganda starts with every individual or member of the crew filling out the mandatory Form G (click here to download the form). You will be required to attach scans of your passport (ensure it meets the Validity rule), a recent passport-sized photograph that will appear on your media card.
All the above have to be accompanied by a script or synopsis written out on headed paper. It is at this point that you will need us to follow through with your application(s).
(see: Press Accreditation Fees for filming In Uganda).
Location Filming Permit: For you to film In Makanaga swamp, we will need to physically meet up with the local authorities overseeing all activities on this swamp to explain to them the purpose, duration of the shoot and or any other special filming requests that you might have. It is from this that they will be able to derive a cost to charge for the filming project.
Location filming permits unlike Press accreditation fees are not fixed but largely depend on the nature, and or scope of your film. Realm Africa Safaris™ will do its best to negotiate on your behalf for the best deals possible.
Best time to film the shoebill in Makanaga swamp
Shoebill filming in Makanaga Swamp can be done all year round depending on what you intend to capture in your shoot. For instance, filmmakers intending to document the breeding process of the shoebill might consider planning their shoot for the drier months from late June to August. Shoebills like to breed during the dry season when the water levels within the swamp have reduced and there are fairly drier patches for them to nest.
Speak to us about what you would like to achieve in your shoot and we will advise on when best to come.
Getting to Makanaga Swamp
Makanaga Swamp from Entebbe is approximately 6okm/37mi – a journey that could last 1.5hours with a great section on the drive being on paved asphalt road. From Namugobo Landing Site in Kamengo district, you will take a motorised wooden canoe accompanied by a local site guide to assist in searching and probably finding the rare shoebill storks of Makanaga Swamp. The 20 minutes boat trip will take you through the sections of papyrus and other floating vegetation including the colourful water lilies. We remain hopeful that we will see the shoebill and return to base happy, However, if this does not happen, remember not to blame your guide – the shoebills in this swamp are on the move depending on their days’ activities which include paying close attention to possible prey within the swamp.
