Aerial filming in Uganda using helicopters and remote-controlled drones is legal for as long as you have processed and acquired all the relevant permits and permissions.
Realm Africa Safaris™ – a local film crew fixer based in Uganda with extensive operations across East Africa; Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania specialises in assisting film production companies including freelance filmmakers in processing and securing the correct aerial filming permits & permissions for the use of helicopters and or drones.
Aerial filming Permits & Permissions required to film in Uganda
Press Accreditation to film In Uganda:
Anyone be it a company or individual intending to film in Uganda ought to have applied and successfully secured Press Accreditation to shoot in Uganda. Aerial filming in Uganda
Learn more about How to apply for Press Accreditation in Uganda.
Location filming Permits/permissions Aerial filming in Uganda
Depending on where you intend to carry out filming in Uganda, you might need a location permit – allowing you to film in a particular location.
For instance, if you intend to film in a national park, the governing authority for parks in Uganda is the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). UWA charges 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 you and them upon which you will append signatures in the agreement of the terms therein indicated. Yah.. this can somewhat seem very difficult a process, but one thing you should remember is that Realm Africa Safaris™ will assist you all through these processes to the very final point.
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. (Realm Africa Safaris™ can assist acting as your representative)
- 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 Filming or Photography Application form
After the two permits & permissions; Press Accreditation and a location permit have been secured, the next step is to write to the Uganda Civil Aviation authority informing them about your intention to film in Uganda’s Airspace. They will advise on the procedures and fees to be paid where necessary.
Other Service offered by Realm Africa Safaris – your film fixer in Uganda
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.
Learn More from our article: Hassle-Free film Kit clearance Services by Realm Africa Safaris™
- 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.
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.
