Filming in Gombe Stream National Park
Filming in Gombe Stream National Park: Gombe National Park is the smallest but the most precious national park in Tanzania. The park is known for showcasing chimpanzees, and visitors who are interested in seeing chimpanzees usually go to the Gombe Stream National Park. The park is composed of chimpanzees residing along the steep slopes and river valleys. The chimpanzees of the Gombe national park are well-habituated thanks to the work done by Dr. Jane Goodall, who initiated the behavior research program, which has become one of the longest-running programs in the whole world since it started in 1960. Gombe national park is located on the eastern shores of Lake Tanzania on over fourteen square miles of land.
The topography of the Gombe national park is comprised of vast grasslands, dense woodland areas, and the tropical rainforest, which are split by steep valleys, streams of water, and rivers. The park is home to several primates, but the most prominent ones are the chimpanzees. However, there are other primate species other than chimpanzees, and these include the red colobus monkeys, the blue monkeys, the vervet monkeys, and the red-tailed monkeys, among others. Still, the park features several species of birds and bird flies, and this provides the rare flora and fauna that can be filmed as you are filming in this great national park. Predators are very few in the Gombe national park, but leopards are sometimes spotted in the park.
What to film in Gombe Stream National Park
Encounter chimps in Gombe National Park
Filming chimps in Gombe National Park: Gombe National Park is the best destination and home to rare chimps. The chimps of Gombe National Park are fully acclimated. This means that the film crew members will not have any problems filming the Gombe chimpanzees because they are fully accustomed to the people. Filming the chimpanzees in the park will require you to go with an experienced guide, and you will follow the established trail to be able to film and enjoy the best filming moments of chimpanzees. Chimpanzees and humans share 98 percent of their genes, and there is no scientific knowledge required to distinguish between the various repertoires of pants, hoots, and screams that define the celebrities, powerbrokers, and supporting characters. Perhaps you’ll notice a glint of recognition when you look into a chimp’s eyes, which are assessing you in return – a look of apparent recognition across the thinnest of species barriers.
Filming other primates in Gombe National Park: The park is not only home to the chimpanzees but it also features other primates which can be filmed, and these, among others, include the olive baboon, red-tailed monkey, red colobus, diademed monkey, leopard, bushbuck, buffalo, waterbuck, barbet, palm-nut vulture, Forbes’ plover, African fish eagle, and Peters’ twin spot are among the other primate and wildlife species found in Gombe National Park.
Filming on Lake Tanganyika: Lake Tanganyika is an excellent location for diving and snorkeling. The water is a constant 25 degrees Celsius all year, and visibility can reach as deep as 20 meters in the dry season. The lake is teeming with brightly colored cichlids. This lake is home to 98 percent of the known 250 species of cichlids. Because most diving takes place near the shore, it is ideal for beginning and intermediate divers. You’ll be working with a local expert. It’s important to note that there are crocodiles, hippos, and Bilharzia in some areas of the lake, so hiring a local expert is essential. Other water sports activities, such as kayaking, wakeboarding, and water skiing, may be available through your lodging.
How to access Gombe National Park for filming
The best way to get to Gombe Stream National Park from Dar es Salaam is to take a domestic flight to Kigoma. There are daily scheduled flights that take about 2 hours. Only shared charter flights are available from Arusha, and they run twice a week. Due to the rough terrain and long distances, driving is not recommended. Trains and buses are also available but can take up to two days from Dar es Salaam and are not recommended for those who prefer the luxury and comfort of business class travel. Once you arrive in Kigoma, lake taxis and private boats are the only ways to get to Gombe Stream National Park. Kibrizi Beach, which is located just north of Kigoma, takes about 4 hours from Kibrizi. This will cost around 10,000 tsh ($5), but don’t be afraid to haggle within reason. Private charters are the most comfortable way to travel because you are not restricted to the times that the lake taxis or ferries run. However, they can cost up to $200. The MV Liemba, a 100-year-old “indestructible warship,” travels between Tanzania and Zambia as a passenger ferry every other Wednesday on a five-day trip, stopping at Gombe.
When is the best time to do filming in Gombe National Park?
Filming in the Gombe National Park is an adventure that is done all year round, but the best time for filming is during December and then from June to October. This time, weather conditions are dry and this makes filming activities so much more fantastic. However, the best time to film chimps at Gombe National Park is during the rainy season, when the green vegetation blooms and provides an amazing scenic view (November to May), while the dry season offers the best photo opportunities, both on short and long hikes (May to October).
The cost of filming in Gombe National Park in Tanzania
Visitors who are interested in filming any destination in Tanzania are informed that there is some money that you will need to pay to do commercial filming in Tanzania. The filming permit will be issued by the Tanzanian government through the Tanzania Filming Board. Here at Africa Adventure Vacations, we will completely assist you in getting the filming permit in Tanzania and make sure that everything you need will be sorted in the quickest time possible. Once you have got the permit, which costs $1000, and this fee is for the regular permit, once you have this, then you will be able to go to the park where you will be filming, pay for the entrance, and immediately start the activity of filming.
What do you need to film in Gombe National Park in Tanzania?
Requirement 1: Filming permits and their costs.
You will need a filming permit to film in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. All those who are interested in filming in Tanzania will have to book their filming permits from the Tanzania Film Censorship Board and the Department of Antiquities in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
Once you have this filming permit, then you can proceed and film hippos in Tanzania. It is very important to note that getting a filming permit in Tanzania might be expensive and time-consuming, and thus the visitors must ensure that they book early with us so that we can start the process of securing the filming permit for Tanzania early. Make sure that you undergo all the application forms for filming with the assistance of your local Tanzania production service film fixer. This is the step that you must take before anything. Once you have finished the application procedures, make sure that you submit the forms to your reputable local Tanzania Consulate. This will help to quicken and complete your application process. Later, after this exercise, you will be asked to send your original documents back to your Tanzania film fixer to finalize the process with the authorities in Tanzania.
Permits for filming can only be used for three months at a time. Giving oneself as much time as possible to accomplish this process is recommended. If you just have a short amount of time, you can get an expedited permit, but the expenses will be substantially higher. A standard permit costs $1,000. The film crew members who don’t have time and would like to book the last-minute filming permit in Tanzania will have to pay $3,000 each. Please contact us here at Africa Adventure Vacations as we can help to secure the filming permit to enable you to make and do filming in Tanzania.
Requirement 2: Other Permissions and Filming Fees for Filming in Gombe National Park in Tanzania
The moment you are done with getting the filming permit, which is the core of filming in Tanzania, remember that you might need some other permissions that you will need to gain access to Gombe National Park for filming in Tanzania.
The other permissions that you might need may include filming inside the protected area or the national park, in case you need to do drone filming, as well as those interested in night filming safaris in Tanzania. Several laws and rules guide visitors or those who are interested in filming in Tanzania, and thus you must get the proper film fixer with high credentials to guide you so that you are not caught on the wrong side of the law. Please be reminded that you will also need to cover the accommodation costs, the visa, the film fixers’ fee, and the vehicle that you need to transport Gombe National Park to filming locations in Tanzania.
a 4×4 vehicle is essential when going to do filming in Gombe National park
Requirement 3: You need a 4×4 vehicle when going to do filming in Gombe National, Tanzania.
When you trust Africa Adventure Vacations as your film fixer, then you will get the opportunity to book for yourself a strong vehicle that will transport the crew members to and from Gombe National Park in Tanzania. We offer the vehicle based on the preferences of our clients and their budget, but also the location where you are going to film, because it may also determine the kind of vehicle that you might need. Because of the nature of the terrain, which might make you travel long distances, we kindly urge you to book our customized
Daily, these cost about $200 to $250 per vehicle, and this price includes the fuel and the driver. You can also opt for our 4×4 safari van, which is available for $200 daily. By contacting us, we shall make sure that we cost everything, and thus we shall inform you and give you the inclusive price. Each of our vehicles is accompanied by drivers who work as area fixers, and many of them have traveled to nearly every part of Tanzania, so they are familiar with the local conditions and can provide critical information and resolve any situation on the ground. While in Tanzania, these serve as intermediaries between you and our office. And please contact us for any film fixers in Tanzania. We are available 24 hours a day to be able to help you with all the information relating to filming in Gombe National Park in Tanzania.
Filming equipment freight and customs
If you choose Tanzania as your recording destination, you will almost certainly need to bring film equipment with you. The most efficient method of air shipping freight is to “go with” the baggage on your aircraft. The alternative option is to convey it as “unaccompanied” cargo via airship. The last method is more expensive, and the hardware may spend some time in customs at the port of entry. In Tanzania, the temporary importation of film equipment is governed by a bond framework or system. You can save the entire value of the hardware with the Tanzanian government for the duration of the shoot. You can apply for a discount on this bond’s cash market value. In any event, film studios can pay a freight agent or specialist a non-refundable 10% of the total cost of the equipment in exchange for the use of his or her bond. This is a shorter and less complicated cycle.
Accommodation facilities during the filming in Gombe National Park.
The film crew members doing the filming in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania will have a lot of options where they can stay as they are doing the filming, and some of the accommodation facilities include budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation facilities. Among the lodges in Gombe National Park are Mbali Mbali Gombe Lodge, Gombe Forest Lodge, Muzye Lodge, and Mlukoyo Guest House.
Why should you book your Tanzania filming safari with Africa Adventure Vacations?
Africa Adventure Vacations is a well-known tourist company based in Uganda that operates in East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and South Africa. We have more than ten years of experience assisting filming and production companies, particularly those interested in filming nature-related wildlife and African culture. We offer services such as obtaining filming permission, clearing filming equipment, reserving lodging, and arranging transportation to filming businesses, all in the shortest amount of time possible. Other wildlife tours are available in all of the countries mentioned above, including gorilla tours in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a result, you should not hesitate to choose us as your East African film fixers.
