Safari Filming and Photography in Uganda: Are you an international, regional, or local media company, ad agency, brand, or production company looking for filming or photography production support and shooting crew in Uganda? Contact us for trusted and experienced directors, fixers, producers, videographers, full shooting crews, drone pilots, Directors of photography, photographers, and other specific needs of your filming project in Uganda
Uganda safari Filming
Uganda is one of the best filming locations in Africa commonly tagged as “The Pearl of Africa”. Uganda filming locations depend on the need of your project, locations range from filming mountain gorillas, wildlife, forests, rivers, local culture, mountains, waterfalls, hospitals, cities and towns, and historical sites among others. For introductions and guidelines to shooting in Uganda see below notes on Uganda filming permits and requirements, what is needed from each film crew member planning to film in Uganda, film locations in Uganda, when to shoot, costs and tax incentives, unique local stories, crew and talent, filming equipment, visas, and work permits for filming in Uganda, transportation, Accommodation, and safety advice.
Filming Locations Uganda | Safari Filming and Photography in Uganda
Uganda is the Pearl of Africa. Despite the small size of Uganda, it is home to 50% of the only remaining mountain gorillas in the wild and Africa’s most diverse ranges, landscapes, wildlife, and biodiversity including more than 1000 bird species. This makes Uganda one of the best filming locations in Africa. Filming locations in Uganda range from rivers, lakes, savannas, mountains, jungles, waterfalls, hospitals, and traditional villages. Uganda has hosted films including The Last King of Scotland (2006), Queen of Katwe (2016), Congo (1995), and The African Queen (1951). Uganda’s Agricultural film locations include plantations of coffee, tea, cotton, sugarcane, corn, and sunflowers. Industrial locations include gold, tin, granite, copper, and iron ore mines.
Film locations in Uganda can be divided into the following regions:
Central Region
This region includes the districts and towns of Buikwe, Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Buvuma, Gomba, Kalangala, Kalungu, Kampala, Kayunga, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Luweero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Rakai, Sembabule, and Wakiso. Kampala is the capital, the largest city, and the main production service center where crew and equipment are based. Locations of note include Bahai Temple, Kampala city’s main business area, Makerere University, Kampala Hindu Temple, Kabaka’s Palace, Uganda National Mosque, and the Nakasero Market. Ssese Islands, located in Lake Victoria, are known for their white-sand beaches and relaxed pace of life. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located on an island in Lake Victoria. Ssezibwa Falls is a beautiful film location. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has an active southern white Rhinos breeding program great for filming. Aero Beach is a resort built around the rusty relics of old airplanes used in Uganda’s passed fallen regimes including Idi Amin.
Western Region | Safari Filming and Photography in Uganda
This region includes the districts and towns of Buhweju, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Hoima, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabale, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kasese, Kibaale, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Masindi, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Sheema. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the Great Apes, 50% of the only remaining mountain gorillas in the wild, the park is also home to chimpanzees, forest elephants, and other wildlife, all depending on the requirements of your project. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the Big 4 animals, animals include hippos, elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, lions, leopards, mongooses, warthogs, and chimpanzees found in Kyambura Gorge among others. Locations include Kazinga Channel, Katwe salt mines, crater lakes, local communities at Kasenyi and Katunguru landing sites, and Kyambura Gorge among others Kibale National Forest is home to chimpanzees, monkeys, and a diversity of birdlife. Uganda is the source of the Nile River. The spectacular Murchison Falls force the river’s flow through a tight gap known as the Devil’s Cauldron. Murchison Falls National Park is home to elephants, crocodiles, giraffes, leopards, buffalos, hippos, and waterbuck. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a great place to photograph the mountain gorillas, this is because its vegetation is mainly bamboo vegetation which is not very thick compared to the tropical forest in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Lake Mburo National Park is home to zebras, Giraffes, hippopotamus, leopards, and a diversity of bird species. Uganda is home to the highest mountain range in Africa; the Mountains of the Moon in the Rwenzori National Park. The picturesque Lake Bunyonyi is a great location for bird photography. Semuliki National Park is home to leopards, hippopotamuses, elephants, monkeys, the Pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, and a diversity of butterfly species. Mount Muhavura is an extinct volcano in the Virunga Mountains.
Northern Region | Safari Filming and Photography in Uganda
This region includes the districts and towns of Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Dokolo, Gulu, Kaabong, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Lamwo, Lira, Maracha, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Nebbi, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Yumbe, and Zombo. Kidepo Valley National Park is home to hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a diversity of birdlife. The Ike community Pian Upe Game Reserve is a wooded grassland location home to wildlife such as such as giraffes, lions, leopards, zebras, and buffaloes. Manyattas are interesting traditional villages lived in by the Karamojong people, a tribe of warrior pastoralists.
Eastern Region
This region includes the districts and towns of Amuria, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukedea, Bukwa, Bulambuli, Busia, Butaleja, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja, Kaberamaido, Kaliro, Kamuli, Kapchorwa, Katakwi, Kibuku, Kumi, Kween, Luuka, Manafwa, Mayuge, Mbale, Namayingo, Namutumba, Ngora, Pallisa, Serere, Sironko, Soroti, and Tororo. Sipi waterfall is located on the slopes of Mount Elgon National Park, local community experience the coffee tour and traditional sites. Mountain Elgon National Park, the park is home to a wide array of wildlife which includes mammals and over 300 species of birds. It is home to unique and beautiful Afromontane plants and forests found on the slopes of Mount Elgon. It is also home to the largest intact caldera in the world habiting various unique and endemic flora and fauna. The Park is also well known for its traditional cultures, history, and ethnicities tribes including the Sabaot, the Bagisu, the Sapiinjak, and the Ogiek.
Filming Permits in Uganda
For location permits in Uganda, most locations are possible given time, money, and the right approach. Please contact Katland Safaris for specific information. All the members of the visiting crew may be required to present their Press Accreditation when filming on location so we advise you always secure this in advance before starting the project.
Uganda Visas and Work Permits
Uganda requires Press Accreditation for each visiting crew member. Once all required visitor documentation is submitted, processing takes 2-3 days. Press accreditation is valid for 30 days. Visitors are required to have this permit at the port of entry when clearing gear through customs, and when filming anywhere in Uganda. Our fixer can arrange this for all visiting crew members. Press accreditation costs US$175 per person.
What we need from each crew member to film in Uganda:
Press Accreditation
All film crew members are by law supposed to be accredited by the Uganda Media Council. Once this process is completed, each crew member will be given a media card which costs USD175.00 for 30 days of filming and USD225.00 for up to 60 days of filming. Each crew member is required to fill out Form G (which we normally send to you) with all details, scan, and send it back to us with a copy of his/her passport as well as one photograph to be put on his/her media card. On top of this, we will need a letter from the filming company detailing who they are, why they are filming, where they will be filming and details of crew members on this shoot. We will attach this letter to all the details provided and send them to the Uganda Media Council for Media card processing. This takes 2-3 working days to have these media cards ready.
Best Time To Shoot in Uganda?
Uganda has a wet, tropical climate, except for the far north savanna region which is dry. Uganda’s first dry season runs from December to February. The first wet season runs from March to May. The second dry season runs from June to August and the second wet season runs from September to November. The dry seasons are the best time to film for weather and tracking the Great Apes. Big game wildlife filming is best at the end of the dry seasons when animals congregate around water sources. Uganda is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed. Public holidays may affect timing, availability, and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Uganda.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters. If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch your ideas. If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs and Tax Incentives
Costs. Uganda’s local costs such as talent, supporting crew, and locations are inexpensive. Imported goods can be expensive. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Kenya is the closest major production center. Our Ugandan fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget. Tax Incentives. At present, there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shot in Uganda.
Film Crew Fixers and Talent in Uganda
Crews. There are very few directors, videographers, or still photographers in Uganda. Most crew must be brought in from abroad. Local supporting crews can help with basic projects. If you need to look further, more experienced crews exist in nearby Kenya. Contact Eco Adventure Safaris if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman/camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA/runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Uganda. Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. English and Swahili are the official languages. Uganda has 54 different ethnic groups. The largest groups include the Baganda, Banyankole, Basoga, Bakiga, Iteso, Langi, Bagisu, Acholi, and Lugbara. All other looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Uganda Filming Equipment
Equipment. Uganda has all of the standard camera, grip, and lighting equipment available locally. Bringing in gear is a simple process. Customs fees are around 10% of the value of imported equipment but our fixer can work out a flat fee. Send us your gear list and we can advise accordingly. Nairobi, Kenya is the closest regional film production center if you need to bring in gear. Communication. Slow internet. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allow us to customize the right communications systems for every shoot. Web-posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing. For clients who are unable to attend set, we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple time zones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Vehicle Hire and Transportation Services
Film Crew Fixers Uganda organizes transport for film crews depending on their interest, budget, and the nature of roads in such selected locations. For rough terrains, like in National Parks, we recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers which cost from USD200-250 per vehicle per day with Driver/Fixer, or 4×4 Safari Vans from USD200 per Van per day with driver/Fixer. For us to estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to establish mileage and distance to be traveled. We also organize both charter and scheduled air transport for those who need to fly to reduce the number of hours. For those filming on water bodies, we work with other credible service providers who are in a position to hire our boats.
All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Uganda and are thus conversant with the local situations and can provide relevant information and fix any situation on the ground. These act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location in Uganda.
Safari Filming and Photography in Uganda | Filming-Friendly Accommodation in Uganda
Accommodation options to stay in during filming range from Budget, and mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Contact us here for details. Recommended film-friendly hotels in Kampala include the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala Serena Hotel, Emin Pasha Hotel, and Kampala Sheraton Hotel.
Uganda Film Productions Support
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company in Uganda, a line producer, or a fixer for your shoot in Uganda, please contact Katland Safaris. We can provide you with answers, references, and bids quickly. If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Uganda, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman/camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA/runner, production driver, please contact us here.