Filming in Saadani National Park

Filming in Saadani National Park, one of Tanzania’s best national parks where the beaches meet the wildness and the great historical triangle of Bagamoyo, Pangani, and Zanzibar. The park covers 1100 hectares and it is the only wildlife park that is found near the sea. The weather is extremely hot, humid, and coastal. You will enjoy the best and most unique experience of the marine and the flora on land and will see more than 30 species of larger mammals, which are present, as well as birds and reptiles. Other than that, the majority of the species are fish, which is equivalent to more than 40 species of fish, including the humpback whales, green turtles, and dolphins that do occur in the seas nearby, and this is so wonderful. It was gazetted in 2005 and includes a conserved habitat that includes the old Saadani game reserve, the former Mkwaja ranch region, the Wami River, and the Zaraninge Forest. There are numerous communities located around the park’s perimeter. The Zaraninge forest was previously administered by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), to preserve the extraordinarily high biological diversity of one of Tanzania’s last remaining coastal rain forests.

Since the 1960s, the park has been preserved as a game reserve, and in 2002, it was expanded to span twice its previous size. Poaching was a major issue in the park before the late 1990s, but there has been a significant improvement in recent years, and poaching has been managed thanks to close coordination with adjacent settlements. The park contains a diverse assortment of wildlife that may be photographed during game drives and walking safaris, as well as all of the features that make Tanzania’s tropical coastline and islands popular with European sun lovers. This is one of the few sites in Tanzania where sunbathers may be interrupted by an elephant strolling by or a lion arriving to drink at the nearby waterhole.

Things to film in Saadani National Park

Animals and other wildlife in Saadani National Park: The Saadani national park features all of the animal species, and these are true and so much fun. Some of the animals within the Saadani national park include the elands, waterbucks, reedbucks, the yellow baboons, the vervet monkeys, the wildebeests, red duikers, greater Kudus, and sable antelopes, and others. As long as you are in the national park, more than 300 elephants can be filmed, as well as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals. Within the Saadani national park, you will be able to see hippos, crocodiles, as well as marine animals that include several species of birds, including the kingfisher and lesser flamingoes, and you will also be able to film the major green turtles breeding sites on mainland Tanzania.

Filming the Seedani National Park’s savannah; the presence of the Saadani National Park’s humid savannah is very interesting and distinct, tall grass savanna with herbaceous cover reaching up to 2 m and scattered palms, short grass munching areas mostly arranged on previous sisal estates and black cotton fields where the dirt soil is very unforgiving. Various levels of tree cover can be identified. Acacia zanzibarica, with its long spines, is common in Saadani and covers a large portion of the leisure area. Bison, which may weigh up to 850kg, and herds of hartebeests can be seen chewing in Saadan National Park’s long grass savannas. Please come and make this filming position. This is extremely interesting. All the Savannah vegetation is good for you to film, which is good for you to enjoy with your filming crew. Giraffes, the world’s tallest animals, and Tanzania’s national symbol abound at Saadani National Park. Their tongues feature specific callus plates that make them ideal for browsing thorny acacia trees. Large herds of white-bearded wildebeest graze in the savannas of short grass. In the 1970s, they were released in the area. Plains zebra and eland are two other introduced species.

huge sea with coral reefs that are involved in filming in huge sea with coral reefs that are involved in filming in Saadani National Park

What will be involved in the Saadani National Park mixing mix?

The filming mix in Saadani National Park will involve a huge sea with coral reefs shifting from east to west to a bitter water habitat defined by mangrove woodlands, salt dishes, and exposed saline zones. The Wami River is the principal new water supply further inland, close to various ephemeral streams and dams. At low tide, the ocean recedes up to 100 meters, creating an attractive access point for locals and wildlife. These shores are the primary location north of Dar es Salaam for ocean turtles to lay their eggs. The green turtle, the largest of the hard-shelled ocean turtles, is the most well-known. Along with house criminals on the oceanfront, turtles are most threatened by commercial fishing and water degradation.

The Mafui shoals, whose bright coral reefs are important reproductive habitats for the majority of fish species, are part of the national park’s marine enhancement. Over the mean ocean water level, evergreen mangrove trees fill in the value-based zone. These salt-free running backwoods provide a haven for the vast majority of bird species, bats, monkeys, hippos, and reptiles. Various varieties of fish, such as prawns, lay their eggs in these protected settings. The appeal of mangrove wood drives double-dealing, making the protection of these timberlands significantly more important. Huge mangrove timberland has developed along the Wami River in Saadani National Park. Massive herds of hippos can be seen here. Nile crocodiles can also be found here. The Wami River is a great place to see birds, such as kingfishers, fish falcons, and a variety of swimming birds.

How to get to Saadani National Park for filming?

Visitors can be visited by both road transport, air transport, and water transport. Saadani National Park is located approximately 44 kilometers north of Bagamoyo. The recreation area is easily accessible from Bagamoyo via the Wami River. The Park is also accessible through a 271km trip from Dar-es-Salaam. To Mandela town via Chalinze town. Drive approximately 61 kilometers on a rough street from Mandela to the Saadani Park sector door. Every day, open transportation runs between Dar-es-Salam/Bagamoyo and Saadani town to Tanga City and Mkwaja Town. Furthermore, Arusha-Moshi-Segera-Tanga-Pangani or Arusha-Moshi-Segera-Kwamsisi-Mandela is around 561 kilometers away. From Tanga, one can drive to Saadani and take a public steamer across the Pangani River. The Park Entry door is approximately 3 hours (130 kilometers) away on a tarmac road.

By air transport, Flights (light aircraft) to Mkwaja or Saadani airstrips can be scheduled from everywhere in the country, including Arusha, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Manyara, and Dar-es-Salaam. Zanzibar Island is approximately 40 kilometers from the park, and the flight from Zanzibar to Saadani Airstrip takes approximately 14 minutes. Saadani can be reached by boat from Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Pangani, Bagamoyo, and Zanzibar. During the rainy season (March-April), the muddy roads can make traveling in the park’s southern areas problematic. Before traveling, it is best to inquire about the road’s condition. Therefore, this is one of the transport means that you can use to access the Saadani National Park.

The cost of filming in Saadani National Park in Tanzania

Visitors who are interested in filming any destination in Tanzania are informed that there is some money that they 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.

Expert guiding to Saadani National park

What do you need to film in Saadani National Park, Tanzania?

Requirement 1: Filming permits and their costs.

You will need a filming permit to do the filming in Saadani National Park. 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 in the Saadani National Park 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.

Other Permission and Filming Fees for filming in Saadani 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 film in Saadani National Park.

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 to the filming park in Saadani National Park, Tanzania.

Requirement 3: You need a strong vehicle when going to film in Saadani National Park in 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 up to Saadani National Park for filming. 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 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 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 Saadani National Park, 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” 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.

best time for filming in Saadani National Park

The best time for filming in Saadani National Park, Tanzania

Filming in Saadani National Park is an adventure that is done all year round, but the best times for filming are during December and then from June to October. This time, weather conditions are dry and this makes filming activities so much more fantastic. The ideal opportunity for filming in Saadani National Park is during the dry season, which lasts from June to December. The park is best visited during the dry season. However, the park features a variety of attractions open all year. The best time to see flamingos in the salt pans is from July through October. Filming in the rainy season is hectic and I would advise anyone to think of filming dry this time. However, the wet season is associated with the green color of nature because of the regeneration of vegetation, and this at times makes filming an adventure that is done all day or all year through. The wet season disturbs the film crew members, and it happens especially from March to May and November.

Where to stay in Saadani National Park during filming?

The lodges available for filming in Saadani National Park range from budget to mid-range to luxury. You will decide where to stay based on your interests and budget. Among the lodges in Saadani National Park are Saadani Safari Lodge, Saadani River Lodge, and Saadani Guest House. For both residents and non-residents visiting the park, the park provides a variety of lodging options and amenities. A beachfront guesthouse with a furnished sitting area, a master bedroom, three single rooms, and a fully equipped kitchen.

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.