Short Rwanda Gorilla Safaris

Best Uganda Birding Safaris

GO UP
3-day Uganda mountain gorilla trekking safari starts in Kampala and ends at Entebbe international airport in Uganda. It involves meeting eye to-eye with the magical mountain gorillas

Filming in Saiwa Swamp National Park

Filming in Saiwa Swamp National Park one of the parks in Kenya's swamps that provide ideal filming locations in the Kitale region of Trans-Nzoia County

Filming in Saiwa Swamp National Park

Filming in Saiwa Swamp National Park: This is one of the national parks in Kenya’s swamps that provides ideal filming locations. The Saiwa Swamp National Park is found in the Kitale region of Trans-Nzoia County, located in the Rift Valley Province. The Saiwa Swamp is Kenya’s smallest national park, covering only 3 square kilometers, and is famous for harboring sitatunga and the rare aquatic antelope, which is why the park is famous for this great cause. As a result, this is one of the best constellations for filming the sistatunga and the rare aquatic anteleope.Further, the park offers the best grounds for nature since it is a forested paradise full of exotic flowers, trees, and birds. There are many different kinds of trees there, and the area is a wonderful haven for nature lovers.

What to film in Saiwa Swamp National Park

Filming wildlife in Saiwa Swamp National Park: Visitors on a filming mission in Saiwa Swamp will get the chance to film a lot of the animal’s species, including the sistatuinga and the rare aquatic antelope. The Sitatunga antelope (Tragelaphus spekei), which may number up to 100 animals, is protected within Saiwa  The Sitatunga is a member of the larger antelope family and has evolved specifically for its preferred wetland habitat. The only other known populations of Kenya are found in the Kingwal Swamp near Kapsabet and the papyrus swamps of Lake Victoria. These nocturnal antelope are incredibly shy and hide in papyrus when something startles them. Sitatungas have elongated, splayed hooves that allow them to walk on the surface of the swamp. They also have brown coats with white transverse stripes on their backs. The horns on the males are twisted. Get ready to film nocturnal species of animals that are also found in the park, like the bushbaby-related pottos, giant Forest squirrels, the black-and-white colobus monkey, bushback, and spotted-necked otters.

Filming reptiles and ambiabians in Saiwa swamp National Park: There are different species of tree frogs that trill and pipe after rainstorms, and there are also many toads. The blue-headed tree agama lizard and Bell’s hinged tortoise, both of which live in forests, can be found in the park. Snakes include the African rock python and forest cobra. Keep an eye out for a side-striped chameleon as you travel the trails. They are widespread, but due to their excellent camouflage, they are simple to miss for filming.

Requirements for filming in Saiwa swamp National Park

Filming permits

To film in Saiwa swamp National Park 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 Saiwa swamp National Park.\

Filming fees and costs for Saiwa swamp National Park

For any person interested in filing in Saiwa swamp National Park, they will have to pay some costs and fees to be granted permission to do any filming activity. As such, the filming challenges in Saiwa swamp National Park include:

  • Ksh 8,000 ($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 expenses

  1. a) Filming rates in Kenya Shillings (Kshs/USD)
  • 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 Saiwa swamp National Park.

Press Accreditation

To film in Saiwa swamp National Park, 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 Saiwa swamp National Park.

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 Saiwa swamp National Park 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 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 Saiwa swamp 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 Saiwa swamp National Park , 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 USD51.00.

When is the best time to do filming in Saiwa swamp National Park?

Filming in Saiwa swamp 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 filing at Saiwa swamp -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 Saiwa swamp National Park for filming

Accessing Saiwa swamp National Park by car: The Saiwa Swamp National Park is 385 kilometers (7.5 hours) west of Nairobi.

Accessing Saiwa swamp National Park by Air transport: Flying from Nairobi to Kitale airport will get you to Saiwa Swamp National Park (KIT). Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is located 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Nairobi (NBO). If you’re wondering how to get to Kenya, Moi International Airport (MBA), which is the country’s second international airport, is located 9 km (6 mi) west of Mombasa. The NBO airport is 15 km/9 mi southeast of Nairobi, and entry to Kenya almost certainly requires a visa.

Where to stay during filming in Saiwa swamp National Park

When filming, there are a variety of lodge and hotel options, ranging from budget to luxury. Depending on your interests and financial situation, you will decide where to stay. To make a reservation, please contact us here. Options include The Villa Serene Hotel and African Yard, among others.

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.

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited!
Send us an email and the link of this page on info@africaadventurevacations.com
to get this information!