Filming in Mt Elgon National Park-Kenya
Filming in Mt Elgon National Park-Kenya; Mt. Elgon National Park in Kenya is found on the border of Kenya and Uganda, and it is 196 square kilometers, just 420 kilometers from Kenya’s capital city Nairobi as you drive in the western direction. Filming in Mount Elgon National Park is fascinating because it is the most beautiful national park in Kenya and is made up of volcanic mountains. The park is still very fresh, and it has remained intact with forested areas as well as the varied wildlife found throughout the park. Therefore, you don’t need to waste this chance to capture the best moments or film the amazing and beautiful scenes and attractions that are found in the mountains of Elgon National Park, Kenya.
What to film in Mt Elgon National Park-Kenya
While on your filming trip in Mt Elgon national park, there are very many things that you can film and today we look at what can be filmed in mountain Elgon National Park;
Filming wildlife in Mt Elgon National Park-Kenya:  Mt Elgon National park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs, bushbuck, buffalo, duiker, black and white colobus monkeys, and golden cats. Therefore, you will be able to film all these wild animals while on your filming safari in this park. You will also be able to film 340 bird species known to exist, of which 110 are forest specialists and 230 are dependent on forests. They consist of the Ross’ turaco, the red-fronted parrot, and the African-crowned eagle. Filming in Mt Elgon National Park-Kenya will be backed breathtaking natural features, such as cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, calderas, hot springs, and mountain peaks, in addition to the fauna and flora. The four enormous caves, where elephants and buffalo frequently spend the night and lick the natural salt from the cave walls, are the most well-liked locations. The Kitum Cave extends 200 meters into the side of Mt. Elgon and features overhanging crystalline walls. The park’s breathtaking natural beauty is best appreciated from Endebess Bluff, which offers a perfect panoramic view of escarpments, gorges, and rivers.
Requirements for filming in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya.
Filming permits
To film in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya, you will need to secure a filming permit from the Kenya Film Commission and the authorities by writing a letter requesting and filling out an application letter and providing a copy of your screenplay, a summary of your program, and a filming schedule with your application. These will be forwarded to the Kenya Film Commission’s Film Licensing Officer. Permits are issued in minutes for feature films, documentaries, short films, music videos, corporate videos, and commercials. Television series and feature film applications are processed within 48 hours of submission. Contact us at Africa Adventure Vacations and we will assist you in obtaining filming permission from Kenyan officials to ensure successful filming in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya.
Filming fees and costs for Mt Elgon National park in Kenya.
For any person interested in filming in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya, they will have to pay some costs and fees to be granted permission to do any filming activity. As such, the filming challenges in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya include:
- 8,000 shillings ($80) per person, per week or part-week;
- For six (6) to ten (10) people, the weekly or part-week rate is Ksh 12,000 ($115).
- 20,000 (2.00) for more than ten (10) people for one week or part of the week.
Kenya filming costs
- a) Kenya Shillings (Kshs/USD) filming rates
- Adverts, documentaries, dramas, short features, still photographs, Khs. 5, 000(50 dollars)
- TV series and feature films in their entirety cost Ksh. 15, 000 ($150).
- Daily filming fees of Ksh. 1,000($10)
- (b) Liaison officer’s service charges
- The Ministry charges Ksh. 400 ($5) per day to cover the Liaison Officer’s services provided by a government Liaison Officer to be attached to the crew.
- C) Other charges
- Before participating in any filming, each guest must pay Ksh. 2,000($20) to the Department of Immigration Services for a special pass. While the filming special permission is being processed, artists may enter Kenya on a visitor’s pass.
- On presentation of a film license, a small non-refundable fee of 1% of the equipment’s worth or Ksh 30, 000 ($300) (whichever is less) is payable to the Customs Department.
In addition to the above, you will need to pay for press accreditation, lodging, and transportation to successfully shoot the video in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya.
Press Accreditation
To film in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya, all film crew members must be accredited by the Kenya Film Commission. Local filming agencies and private production companies or individuals must apply through a local agent registered with the Ministry. This is a prerequisite for all applications to make feature films and documentaries. Each crew member must fill out the Kenya Film License Form (which we normally send), scan it, and return it to us along with a copy of their passport and one photo for the filming license. We will then require a letter from the filming company specifying the name of the filming company, the reason for filming, the location of filming, and the film crew’s contact information. This letter is subsequently forwarded to the Kenya Film Commission for the film license to be processed. A film license is usually awarded within 2-3 business days.
Vehicle hiring services
You need a 4×4 vehicle when going to do filming in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya. 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 Mt Elgon National park in Kenya in Kenya. 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 Mount Elgon customised tour. 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 calculate 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 Kenya, so they are familiar with the local conditions and can provide critical information and resolve any situation on the ground. While in Kenya, these serve as intermediaries between you and our office. And please contact us for any film fixers in Kenya. We are available 24 hours a day to be able to help you with all the information relating to filming in Mt Elgon National park in Kenya.
All of our vehicles include a driver who serves as the location fixer. Most of them have visited practically every section of Kenya and are thus familiar with local conditions and can provide relevant information and resolve any local issues. While on location at Mt Elgon National park in Kenya, they work as liaisons between our clients and our office.
Visa recommendation
You’ll need to get a tourist visa. Many film crews choose to get a visa before visiting Kenya. Visas, on the other hand, are easily obtained upon admission into the country. In this situation, you can obtain a tourist visa at the Nairobi International Airport for USD51.0
Where to stay during filming in Mt Elgon National Park
As you do the filming in Mt Elgon National Park, visitors can stay at various accommodation facilities near the park and these accommodation facilities include Kapkulo cottages and camping can be done at Nyati camp site, Salt lick, Chorlim campsite, Rongai public Campsite among others. Please contact Africa adventure vacations for lodging information in Mt Elgon National Park.
What is the best time to film in Mt Elgon National Park?
Filming in Mt Elgon 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 do filming at Mt Elgon National Park in Kenya 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).
How to get to Mt Elgon National Park for Filming
By Road transport: Two routes depart from Eldoret, with one route departing from Kitale town. Both lead to Mt. Elgon Lodge and Chorlim Gate via a murram (dirt) road. The main entrance, known as Chorlim gate, leads to the park’s administrative building.
By Air transport: Visitors can fly to the airstrip inside the park or the Eldoret airport (70 KM away). For information on the airstrip, kindly contact the warden. 30 km separate the park from the Kitale airstrip, which is situated on the main Kitale-Bungoma road 10 km outside of Kitale town.
Why should you book your Kenya filming safari with Africa Adventure Vacations?
Africa Adventure Vacations is a popular 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 and individual travelers who are 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, especially in Kenya for your Kenyan filming experience.