Filming in Shaba National Reserve

Filming in Shaba National Reserve: Because of the various activities and attractions that area found in this great national reserve, Shaba National Reserve is one of Kenya’s best destinations for capturing some good shots and producing quality documentaries. The Adamson monument is proudly displayed in the Shaba National Reserve. The Shaba National Reserve in Kenya, along with the Samburu and Buffalo Springs, is situated in the rugged and underdeveloped Northern Frontier Province of Kenya. Driving to the park, you may frequently see Samburu watering camels in the river or herding cattle through thorny bushes. The Ewaso Ng’iro River sustains the community. The reserve has a lot of wildlife all the time because of the permanent water.

What to film in Shaba National Reserve

Filming wildlife in Shaba National Reserve: The major things that you can film on this reserve include the main animals and attractions. The wild and underdeveloped Northern Frontier Province of Kenya is home to the Shaba National Reserve, the Samburu, and Buffalo Springs. As you approach the park, Samburu herders may often be seen leading cattle through thorny bushes or watering camels in the river. The community is supported by the Ewaso Ngiro River. Because there is always water present in the reserve, there is always a large amount of wildlife. Filming a magnificent variety of wildlife, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, elephant, buffalo, lesser kudu, oryx, Grant’s gazelle, Somali ostrich, and numerous lions, are at home in this unforgiving, hilly landscape that receives water from the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The endangered Grevy’s zebra which does not roam the popular areas of southern Kenya, is one of Shaba’s wildlife highlights can as well be filmed. It can be recognized by its lighter nose, white belly, round ears, and thinner stripes. Within the Somali-Maasai biome, the reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx are additional rare species found only in this area.

Filming different species of birds in Shaba National Reserve: The area has been home to over 390 different bird species, including the black-backed and golden jackals, which emerge at night in search of small prey. The William’s lark is a unique bird that can only be found in two locations in northern Kenya. After rains pass over their territory, the males stage protracted which is interesting.

Requirements for filming in Shaba National Reserve

Filming permits

song flights, making them simple to spot. You might also film the migratory lesser kestrel, which is endangered globally, or sporadic visitors like the African darter or great egret.

To film in Shaba 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 Shaba National Reserve.

Filming fees and costs for Shaba National Reserve

For any person interested in filming in Shaba 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 Shaba 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

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)

(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.

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 Shaba National Reserve.

Press Accreditation

To film in Shaba 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 Shaba 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 Shaba 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 Shaba 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 Shaba 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 Shaba National Reserve?

Filming in Shaba 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 Shaba 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 Shaba National Reserve for filming

Accessing Shaba National Reserve by road transport: Shaba can be easily reached by road in about 6 hours and is located about 300 kilometers north of Nairobi. A 4WD is typically necessary because Shaba are covered in gritty volcanic sand.

Accessing Shaba National Reserve by Air transport: Flying takes about 50 to 70 minutes (depending on the aircraft). You can also arrange a charter flight to take you from Shaba to any of the incredible Kenyan national parks and reserves that are on your bucket list.

Where to stay during filming in Shaba National Reserve

Budget, mid-range, and luxury lodging options are available in the Shaba National Reserve for filming. Depending on your interests and financial situation, you will decide where to stay. To make a reservation, please contact Africa Adventure Vacations. Sarova Shaba Game Lodge and Ashnil Samburu are two 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 Samburu National Reserve, 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.

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