Shoebill Storks are gigantic, amazing creatures that are unfortunately on the threatened species IUCN Redlist with a current population of only 5,000-8,000 individual shoebill storks still existing in the whole world. In Rwanda, they can be spotted in Akagera National Park which also doubles up as the Best place for shoebill filming in Rwanda.
Best time to go Shoebill Filming in Akagera National Park
Generally speaking, birding watching in Rwanda can be an all year round affair depending on what you are looking to see. However, if you are looking for tourist influenced response to this, then the best time to go shoebill Filming in Akagera National park is the months of December to February a period when Rwanda hosts lots of Wintering and Palearctic migrant Bird species.
Rwanda’s’ infrastructure such as trails, accommodation, and roads leading to Akagera National Park- Rwanda’s top birding watching spot is paved ( but not in the parks) and this is complemented by a team of highly trained site guides available to both individual travellers or visitors on an organized Shoebill filming tour in Akagera National Park.
Other notable bird species you are likely to spot while tracking and filming the shoebill in Akagera national park include;
Where to stay while filming the shoebill in Akagera National Park
Magashi Camp
Beside Lake Rwanyakazinga, the upmarket Magashi Camp is located within an exclusive wilderness in the remote northeastern corner of Akagera National Park. The camp is ideal for discerning vacationers looking for the best of amenities and facilities – we call it the “Premier experience”. It boasts of frequent sightings of wildlife around the locale – and is a known habitat for leopards -ssshh! don’t say we didn’t tell you. Choose from one of the six (06) lakeside tents with rollable canvas sides so that you can immerse yourself into the beauty of the large beds which come each with mosquito netting to protect you from the buzzing sounds of the wild, while the deck outside has a small seating area to revel in the fabulous vistas.
Ruzizi Tented Camp
If you are looking for an authentic tented safari experience in Akagera National Park, opt for Ruzizi Tented Lodge as your deluxe-priced accommodation. Following eco-friendly principles in both building construction and operation, the lodge offers just nine (09) tents for discerning travellers, including a treetop suite. Ruzizi is crafted from natural materials gathered locally and uses solar energy for power. It’s located beside the papyrus-filled marshes of picturesque Lake Ihema, where you can watch hippos wallowing in the shallow water and crocodiles sunning themselves, their jaws agape. Enjoy walking the boardwalks to access the lounge, dining area, and viewing deck, while the sounds of the bush fill your wilderness holiday with tranquillity.
Akagera Game Lodge
A value vacation accommodation, Akagera Game Lodge is perched atop a ridge that offers panoramic views of Akagera Park. Comprising a series of two-story motel-like structures with stone detailing, the lodge includes a lounge with an upper-level bar and two swimming pools, one of which is suited for guests with children. In addition to its 62 rooms and suites, the lodge also offers two distinct cottages, one with three bedrooms and the other with two bedrooms. These cottages include a kitchenette and dining area. This is a child-friendly value lodge that can provide high chairs and cribs on request.
Requirements for Shoebill filming in Akagera National Park
Rwanda Filming permits and permissions are a MUST have for all person intending to indulge in any kind of filming activity in Rwanda.
Filming Permits in Rwanda are issued by the Ministry of Sports and Culture for the persons that believe in the DIY – do it yourself approach, here is the procedure; otherwise, we are happy to assist you to secure all relevant filming permits & Permissions for your shoot.
Procedure #1: Fill out a Rwanda Film Permit Authorization Request form (click here to download it) and thereafter return the filled out form to the Ministry of Sports and Culture via email: info@minispoc.gov.rw. Then wait for a response from the Ministry on whether you or your crew has been granted or denied a Rwanda Filming permit
Alternatively, if you want less of the hassle, then Realm Africa Safaris™ can assist you to do all the ground follow up on your Rwanda filming Permit.
Your undertaking would be to fill out the Rwanda Filming Permit Application Form, provide all the necessary information and or relevant documents as may be requested by the Ministry of Sports and culture in Rwanda, mention to the authority that Realm Africa Safaris™ will represent you in any other correspondences including picking up your Rwanda Filming permit. Once we have secured your permits, we will then contact you and hand-deliver it to you.
Download the Rwanda Filming Permit Application Form.
Other permits & Permissions needed
Press Accreditation for Media In Rwanda
Besides the Rwanda Filming Permit, each crew member ought to have accreditation – a license that grants them permission to carry out Journalism in Rwanda. Media accreditation applies to both Foreign and local crew members intending to take on a Filming Project in Rwanda.
- Official letter requesting for accreditation with the official letterhead of the media organization, signed by authorized personnel with their contact information
