Filming in Samburu National Reserve

Filming in Samburu National Reserve: Yes, just at the river banks of Ewaso Ng’iro River. There is Samburu National Reserve. This reserve offers the perfect opportunity for the filming of the buffaloes because they are always found on the riverside. Samburu national Reserve is just 165 square kilometers and it is found just 350 kilometers form the city of Nairobi which also doubles as the Kenya’s capital city. The Ewaso Ng’iro River borders this enormous area of remote, pristine wilderness on the south, dividing it from the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. Due to its ideal location as the surface waters dry off during the dry season and its assurance of game viewing, Samburu Reserve is regarded as one of the best wildlife reserves not only in Kenya but also in all of Africa. Species like the Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, and Beisa Oryx, which are rare northern specialist species, are present in the reserve (also referred to as Samburu Special Five).

The Samburu National Reserve is found in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province. This unfenced savannah grassland, which is about 104 square kilometers (approximately 65 square miles) in size, is located about 350 kilometers (217 miles) from Nairobi. In comparison to other parks in Kenya like Tsavo or Masai Mara, it is relatively small in size. The Samburu National Reserve is Species like the Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, and Beisa Oryx, which are rare northern specialist species, are present in the reserve (also referred to as Samburu Special Five). With it enclosed within the unfenced savannah grassland, which is about 104 square kilometers (approximately 65 square miles) in size, is located about 350 kilometers (217 miles) from Nairobi. In comparison to other parks in Kenya like Tsavo or Masai Mara, it is relatively small in size. Today we explore the filming opportunities for the Samburu national Reserve.

What to film in Samburu National Park

There are a lot of things and attractions that you can film in Samburu national reserve and these among others include the following

Filming wildlife in Samburu National Reserve: Most of the wildlife animals in Samburu National Reserve are found on the southern side of the Reserve, and this is the area where you will be able to see a lot of animals. The majority of the Kenyan wildlife found in Samburu, including cheetahs, lions, leopards, impalas, buffalo, hippos, and dik-diks, as well as the indigenous gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Beisa oryx, can all be seen in the park’s southern region. The Usaso Nyiro River serves as the majority of the animals’ gathering point during the long dry season, so you can expect to see the majority of them there. At this time, it’s also common to see elephants and Nile crocodiles swimming in the river.

It’s very hard to go on a filming trip in Samburu National Park and fail to film elephants. There are also nearly 900 elephants living in the reserve. Large predators such as the lion, leopard, and cheetah are popular draws (Kamunyak, the famous lioness who adopted a baby Oryx, is a resident of the reserve).In fact, Samburu is one of the best places in Kenya to film leopards. Sightings of wild dogs are another frequent draw to this special protected area.

Bird species filming in the Samburu National Reserve: Over a hundred different bird species can be filmed in a single day in the Samburu. The rare blue-shanked Somali ostrich is one of the sightings that is perhaps most noteworthy. Another is the flash of coral rump that marks the flight of the white-headed buffalo weaver. There are lots of secretary birds, as well as flocks of active helmeted and vulturine Guinea fowl. Storks feed along the river, and as dusk falls, sandgrouse gather in the area. Both Von der Decken’s and red-billed hornbills are widespread. Raptors, which range in size from the tiny pygmy falcon to the enormous martial eagle, find the Reserve’s characteristically rough cliffs and starkly rising inselbergs to be the perfect habitat. Eagle owls from Verreaux also hunt in the rivers.

Requirements for filming in Samburu national Reserve

Filming permits

To film in Samburu 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 Samburu national Reserve.

Filming fees and costs for Samburu national Reserve

For any person interested in filming in Samburu 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 Samburu national Reserve 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 Samburu national Reserve.

Press Accreditation

To film in Samburu 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 Samburu 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 Samburu national Reserve 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 Samburu national Reserve 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 Samburu 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 USD51.00.

When is the best time to do filming in Samburu national Reserve?

Filming in Samburu 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 filing at Samburu national Reserve -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 Samburu national Reserve for filming

Accessing Samburu national Reserve by road transport: 355 km/220 mi north of Nairobi is Samburu. It’s simple to self-drive to the reserve, and it takes about six hours. Additionally, there are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to the airport in Samburu.

Accessing Samburu national Reserve by Air transport: Nairobi is the main hub for the majority of transportation (including flights) for tourists wondering how to get to Kenya. Safari tourists flying from Europe or North America to Kenya typically arrive there. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), which is 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Nairobi, is the primary airport. Moi International Airport (MBA), Kenya’s second international airport, is located 9 kilometers (6 miles) west of Mombasa and will probably require a visa for entry.

Where to stay during filming in Samburu National Reserve

While filming in the Samburu National Reserve, there are a variety of lodge and hotel options to choose from, ranging in price from budget to luxury. Depending on your interests and financial situation, the various accommodation facilities include Samburu Game Lodge, Samburu Larsen’s Camp, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids, Elephant Bedroom, and Miibi Mingi Tented Lodge are just a few of the lodge options.

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 Haller Wildlife 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.