Filming in Saanane Island National Park, Tanzania
Filming in Saanane Island National Park, Tanzania: This is one of the unexploited island national parks that received national park status in 2013. It covers about 2.18 square kilometers and has got three islands and aquatic life. The islets are found on the southern part of the mainland on Lake Victoria. Saanane Island National Park was created by Mzee Saanane Chawandi, who at the time owned the island.
In 1964, Tanzania’s first zoo was founded there. Its main goals were to first encourage interest in and education about wildlife conservation, and then second to encourage recreation among the residents of Mwanza town. Numerous species of wild animals were transported to the island between 1964 and 1966. Saanane Island National Park set records for being the smallest national park in Tanzania and East Africa, as well as the first national park to ever be situated inside a city.
The park is home to a variety of mammals, including Impala, Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys, and Wild Cats. The fact that there are “De-brazas Monkeys” indicates that this park has the potential to be the only one in the nation to contain the species. Crocodiles, Monitor and Agama lizards, Pancake and Leopard tortoises, and snakes, particularly Pythons, are among the other prevalent reptiles.
What to film in Saanane Island National Park
Filming wildlife in Saanane Island National Park: Saanane Island National Park is home to a variety of animals, some of which can be recorded there, including buffalo, bushbuck, dik-dik, elephant, and eland. Impala, Black Rhino, Topi, Warthog, Zebra, and monkeys like Patas and Vervet, as well as giraffe, porcupine, and crocodiles, are examples of wild animals. While other animals were allowed to roam freely, dangerous animals like rhinos and buffalo were kept in cages. In 1991, the island received the designation of a game reserve.
Filming the local villages while at Saanane Island National Park: While filming in Saanane Island National Park, it is also possible to arrange for filming in fishing villages because most Lake Victoria-Uganda fishing towns consist of nucleated settlements situated on or close to landing sites. Also worth filming are the guided nature walks, rock climbing, boat cruises, sport fishing, bird watching, and game viewing of a variety of species, including elephants, buffaloes, and others, that can be found in Saanane Island National Park.
Filming the fisheries at Lake Victoria: You can also capture footage of several Lake Victoria fisheries at Saanane Island. Africa’s greatest inland fishery, Lake Victoria, began with local species such as tilapia and haplochromine cichlids as well as elephantfish, ningu (Labeo victorianus), marbled lungfish, and catfish (Bagrus, Clarias, Synodontis, and silver butter catfish) (Protopterus aethiopicus).
Other things available for filming could be the magnificent Lake Victoria formations. Agama Lizards, also known as Agama Mwanzae, Impala, Crocodiles, Clawless otters, Rock Hyrax, Tortoises, and Python-like Snakes are examples of wildlife. Lions, spotted hyenas, vervet monkeys, and a shy De Brazza’s monkey are among the other animals. The island is home to about 40 species of resident and migratory birds. Beautiful scenery is created by Saanane Island National Park over Mwanza South and Lake Victoria.
How to get to Saanane National Park for filming?
From either the Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Air Ports, one can travel by road or by air to Mwanza. From places like Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, and Tabora, to name a few, one can also travel by road or train to Mwanza City. Additionally, passengers can take a ship or vessel from Uganda, Kenya, Bukoba, and neighboring islands to Mwanza Port. From the park offices on the mainland, visitors can reach Saanane Island National Park on a regular, quick boat excursion that takes about five minutes. From the City Center, Park Offices are conveniently located around a 15-minute walk away.
Where to stay while filming at Saanane National Park filming.
Film crews are allowed to camp inside the park, although there are also inexpensive motels in Mwanza, a nearby town. There are many hotels to choose from, including Adden Palace Hotel, Wish-listed Hotel, Waghill Lodge, and Nyanyama Plaza Hotel.
The cost of filming 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.
Requirements for filming in Saanane Island National Park in Tanzania
Filming permits and their costs: You will need a filming permit to participate in any filming activity 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, you can begin filming in Tanzania’s Saanane Island National Park. 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 Saanane Island National Park in Tanzania.
Other Permission and Filming Fees 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 Saanane Island 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 to and from Tanzania for filming.
You need a 4×4 vehicle when going to and from filming in Saanane Island 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 to and from filming in Saanane Island National Park. 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 Saanane Island 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.
The best time to go for filming in Saanane Island National Park in Tanzania is now.
Filming in Saanane Island National Park in Tanzania 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 Saanane Island National Park in Tanzania is during the dry season, which lasts from June to December. 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. Therefore, it is good that you film primates from December to February and then June to October, which is relatively dry compared to March to May and November.
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 Dar es Salaam city, 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.