Filming in Mwea National Reserve

Filming in Mwea National Reserve: This is one of the smallest but most rewarding game reserves in Kenya, offering visitors and all interested people in the world a chance to film different species that are found within the reserve. Mwea National Reserve is equivalent to 42 kilometers and is located in the Makima subdivision of Mwea in Embu County. At the confluence of the Tana and Thiba rivers, that’s where the Mwea National Reserve can be traced. As you are filming in the Mweya National Reserve, you will capture the foothills of Mount Kenya in the background since this mountain can be seen once you are at the Mwea National Reserve. Mwea National Reserve features open grassland and a savannah ecosystem. There are many wildlife species that can be filmed in the reserve. Elephants, giraffes, warthogs, black-backed jackals, impalas, hippos, crocodiles, duikers, buffalo, and a host of other animals are among them. The park is a great location for bird filming as well. The Hinde’s babbler, Pel’s fishing owl, and the white-backed night heron, among other birds, are among those that are frequently seen in this reserve.

What to film in Mwea National Reserve

Mwea National Reserve is under the management and the protection of Embu County and the Kenya Wildlife Service. Filming in Mwea National Reserve will involve and enjoy gently rolling plains covered in Savannah grasslands with scattered trees and bushy vegetation. The acacia species and the cammiphora are the most prevalent trees and shrubs. Along the water’s edge, there are numerous tall trees and bushes. You will be able to film elephant, lesser kudu, Nile crocodile, hippo, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, buffalo, leopard, grey duiker, black-backed jackal, bushbuck, waterbuck, olive baboon, Sykes’ monkey, serval cat, spotted hyena, warthog, rock hyrax, bush pig, impala, and hartebeest are just a few of the numerous wild animals that can be filmed in this great  reserve. Further, you will film the species which are endangered and these include stripped ground squirrel, genet cat, black-backed jackal, and yellow baboons. Over 200 bird species exist.

Requirements for filming in Mwea National Reserve.

Filming permits

To film in Mwea National Reserve, 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 Mwea National Reserve in Kenya.

Filming fees and costs for Mwea National Reserve.

For any person interested in filming in Mwea National Reserve, they will have to pay some costs and fees to be granted permission to do any filming activity. As such, the filming challenges in Mwea National Reserve 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

1. 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)

1. (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.

1. 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 Mwea National Reserve.

Press Accreditation

To film in Mwea National Reserve, 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 Mwea National Reserve. 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 Mwea National Reserve. 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 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 Mwea National Reserve.

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 Mwea National Reserve, 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 Mwea National Reserve

The Mwea National Reserve lacks lodges, tented camps, and other forms of self-catering lodging. Outside the reserve, at Masinga Dam, is Masinga Lodge. On the other hand, Mbogo, Silvester, Mavuria, Kyangosi, Hippo Point, Kanyonga, and Githechu offer camping facilities.

What is the best time to film in Mwea National Reserve?

Filming in Mwea National Reserve 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 Mwea National Reserve 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).

Getting to Mweya National Reserve for filming

Accessing Mweya National Reserve by road: via Thika-Matuu-Masinga Dam from Nairobi (160 km). The road is paved up until Masinga Dam Bridge; the remaining 10 km to Makima Gate are on a dirt road. Access can also be obtained through Embu-Machanga. Masinga airstrip is close to Masinga Lodge.

By air: close to Masinga Lodge is Masinga Airstrip.

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 Ndere Island National Park, 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.