Chimpanzee filming in Uganda.
Filming chimps in Uganda may be done at certain locations. You must meet the standards set by Uganda’s wildlife Authority for filming.
You should also know that among animal relatives, chimps are the closest ones to humans. Their DNA is quite close to that of humans—about 98% Their actions might be similar to those of humans, hence you should use great caution with your tools in the wild.
Only once authorization from Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forestry Authority is Chimpanzees able to meet encounters in Uganda. One of the few nations in the world still possessing natural areas where large numbers of chimpanzees may still flourish is Uganda.
The Uganda chimpanzee natural habitats are more far-off, so visiting them might need renting a 4×4 vehicle to avoid running over the road. If you have a lot of luggage and cameras, it might be advisable to rent an additional automobile to transport your stuff.
Where Chimpanzees Call Home in Uganda
Depending on what you want to get out of the whole experience, wherever the chimpanzees dwell might be a potential shooting site in Uganda.
Kibale National Park
About 795 square kilometers of diversified tropical rain forest lie Kibale National Park in western Uganda. Among the near 13 primate species found in this forest are the chimpanzees, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, pottos, L’Hoest’s, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, bush babies to name just a few.
Under the direction of the alpha male, about 1500 chimpanzees call Kibale Forest National Park home. The community votes him democratically, hence he needs to wow the women most. Their impact on the election outcomes is really great.
Kibale National Park’s normal temperature range is from 14 degrees centigrade to 27 dregree. Kibale National Park is around 1590 meters above sea level in terms of height. Regarding rainfall, 1800 mm on average are obtained every year.
Comprising a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees with evergreen species predominating, the Kanyanchu portion of the park is mostly With a corridor of 180 km of length utilized for animal movement, its Northern tip is the wettest location and Southern half adjoins Queen Elizabeth national Park.
Filming chimpanzees in Kibale National Park may allow you to see a variety of natural species, including many birds. About 325 bird species have been identified so far; the list is continually growing. Among the birds you may find are shoe bill, black bee-eaters, crowned eagle, yellow spotted nicator, blue-breasted kingfisher, Abyssinian ground thrush, brown chested alethe, African pitta to list but aways.
Visit the Bigodi Wetland refuge to record the most fascinating birdwatching opportunities. Nestled in Magombe wetland, Kibale National Park has one of the best birding sites. Primates like black and white colobus, chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, mammals including mongoose, bushbucks, forest elephants, wild forest hogs and others might also be found here.
Walking to Kihingani Wetland outside Sebitoli would help you to spot more birds. Its bird list is quite amazing.
Gorge of Kyambura in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kyambura Gorge, 100 meters deep, is near Queen Elizabeth National Park’s bottom of the rift valley. River Kyambo running into the Kazinga channel sculpted the Gorge.
Filming chimpanzees in this park starts with briefings in Kyambura Fig tree camp about 0800 hours and 1400 hours daily. Those engaged in chimpanzee trekking may attend these two sessions. Filming this section of chimpanzee habitat is preferable during the dry season with less slippiness on the hills.
For those attempting chimpanzee trekking, some degree of athleticism is needed to get into the valley. Make sure you carry safari boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, water proof bags for your cameras and others, the correct chimpanzee hiking equipment.
Kaniyo Pabadi Forest In the National Park Murchison Falls
About 8km inside Kichubanyombo gate, Kaniyo Pabidi woodland is part of Murchison Falls National park. You conduct chimpanzee filming here in a jungle with some of Uganda’s residual grown mahogany trees.
There are birdwatching habitats in Murchison Falls National Park right here in this section of the park. If really keen, you have great possibilities of catching birds such Blue-caped Mousebirds, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Green winged pytilias, Spotted Morning Thrush to name just a few.
Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria
Filming chimpanzees on Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island transports you into the world of abused survivors of mostly human activity and abandoned primates. Situated 23km southwest of Entebbe in Uganda, Koome Islands in fresh water Lake Victoria has an island chimpanzee refuge.
Under Dr. Jane Goodall, Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust ( CSWCT) developed this conservation effort.
Rescued, saved, homeless, orphaned chimpanzees unable to be returned to their natural habitat find themselves at this chimpanzee sanctuary. Establishing this refuge was partly meant to educate guests, the general public, and the local population on the need of preserving chimpanzee habitats and species.
Some of you could be involved in feeding; you stand at the feeding platform and help to distribute meals. Usually, the male and adults get the most portion; the less strong may consume the list in line with human nature.
Education Center on Uganda Wildlife ( UWEC)
The Uganda Wildlife Education Center is the place to visit if you want to shoot chimpanzees in a limited area and at a more near range. Most animals from Uganda’s national parks are kept at this old Entebbe zoo.
These wild creatures reside in displays where their natural habitat is replicated. Among other species and birds, one may see ostriches, chimpanzees, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, waterbucks, cape buffaloes, wild cats, elephant, zebras, giraffes to name but a few.
Kalinzu Forest
Kalinzu Forest sits just beyond Queen Elizabeth National Park. These chimpanzees are mostly visited for study most of the time, however you may be let to video them at busy times.
You have to ask for this ahead of time to enable timely preparations.
Requirements for filming Chimpanzees in Uganda
The crew of chimpanzees shooting need a filming permission derived from the relevant authorities and entities. Should you be recording chimpanzees in National parks, you must get permission from Uganda Wildlife Authority and abide by its policies.
Every member of the filmmaking team need a chimpanzee trekking permit, same as the regular one. The chimpanzee hiking permit lets you spend just one hour among the chimpanzees once you find them.
Alternatively, you might choose for each crew member chimpanzee habituation licenses allowing four hours of recording the chimps.
The booking staff has to draft a letter asking Uganda Wildlife Authority to shoot chimpanzees at a certain site.
When an application comes forward to you, you must complete every element and support it with a copy of the description, screenplay, and filming schedule.
These are thereafter forwarded the authorities in charge of approval.
Uganda Media Verification
Every member of the shooting team is obliged to complete form G, which is used to get authorization for gathering material to be recorded from Uganda, via Uganda media council. Before any Ugandan material is created, media accreditation is very vital.
Every one must scan a copy of form G, attach scanned copy of passport displaying the front and where personal information are available after filling details on form G. One passport picture should be attached to the media cards.
Get a letter of good behavior from your nation’s international police, Interpol.
This is sent to Uganda Media Council by our filming fixer crew for review and clearance. Getting feed back takes two to three days.
Customs Clearance in Uganda
Customs on arrival must momentarily clear anything you have with you. Note Uganda is not a Carnet member so no carnets are permitted.
Uganda Revenue Authority grants a temporary Import Permission for all the equipment you travel with and charges certain taxes on it. You may make equipment clearance quicker on arrival with a bonded agent.
Right now, tax is paid with around 10% non-refundable charge deducted from the whole worth of your equipment. It relates to the safe arrival and existence of your stuff.
Forwarding us the list of what you want to carry speeds things and helps to avoid extended clearance time on arrival at the Entebbe customs.
Alternatively, you can choose to outsource from the nearby filmmaking teams in case you explain to them the specifics of what you desire to have in time. Remember not very many modern filming devices exist in the nation or even getting them is most in Kampala the business heart of Uganda.
Accommodation During Chimpanzee filming in Uganda
You must remain inside or near the location where you want to shoot in Uganda. This helps you to record the special events. Even the chimpanzees may visit your resort early in the morning, a special event for your collection.
Every place a possible site for chimpanzee shooting offers various lodging and other amenities. One of the things you might give top attention is making sure your recording tools are safe.
Hire a car. applied at the chimpanzee filming site
Hiring a vehicle to transport equipment is essential as most production teams travel with a lot of fragile machinery. Keep in mind most chimpanzee locations are in far-off areas with sometimes slick road. Your fragile tools ought to be kept in secure bags.
The rental car ought to have strong shock absorbs. One option for improved transit may be to hire a 4×4 vehicle.
The ideal moment for chimpanzee filming in Uganda
Though they are quite friendly animals, chimps often hang on tree branches during the rainy seasons. The drier months of June through October and December through January would be ideal for catching the spectacular photos and moments of the chimpanzees in Uganda.
Since they are few, expect to see chimpanzee hikers or even permits sold out; the dry months are busy seasons as well. Each group receives only six chimpanzee hiking licenses daily. Every day just two sessions, morning and afternoon chimpanzee trekking periods permitted.
What Is Uganda’s Chimpanzee Destination Topography Like?
Excellent location and topography are also important for setting your equipment in order to get the ideal moments of the wildlife cinematography. Ground in most of Uganda’s chimpanzee habitats is usually level. The forest has low undergrowth, hence paths built by frequent visitors speed up progress.
To obtain the finest content, you must bring or hire stands for your devices. Keep some rain gears on hand, ones that would protect your machinery should it rain.
The guidelines of chimpanzee filming in Uganda
The chimpanzees have human tracks and could turn on you or hide, hence never provoke them.
Given that chimpanzees are wild creatures who have to search for their own food, feeding them is for bidden.
It terrifies the chimpanzees if one uses flash photography and sound-activated cameras.
Enter the forest only with an accompanying ranger guide; other species there might endanger you.
Littering the forest is against policy as it provides food for chimpanzees and other forest inhabitants.
Once you find a chimpanzee or get a permission for a habituation, just one hour is permitted with them.
Should you desire to relax yourself as the rangers accompany you to excavate a 30-centimeter-deep pit and cover beyond recognition.
