Filming in Shompole Conservancy
Filming in Shompole Conservancy: This is a very large privately owned conservation that presents the best filming adventures in Kenya. The conservancy is extremely interesting and it features the major alkaline lakes of Natron, Magadi, and the major riverine thickest along the riverbanks. The Shompole conservancy was set aside by the people to manage the wildlife and as the results all the activities that were carried out in this place such cattle grazing, and the people who were freely moving in the land were banned. Filming in Shompole Conservancy is interesting because the conservancy features a lot of wonderful ecosystem habitats that are full of the  wildlife animals such as the elephants, the honey badgers, golden jackal , wild dogs, lions, among other interesting animals that can be filmed within this conservancy. The land in the conservancy ranges from lush swamp and riverine forest to dry salt savannah plains. The plains are perfect for walking safaris, and other nearby activities include night drives, river tubing, game drives, and trips to Lake Natron.
The Southern Maasai land region’s Shompole Conservancy is hot and dry, yet oddly home to a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and large mammals. All of the big 5 with the exception of rhinos-can be found here. Water from the Mau highlands is transported by the Ewaso Ng’iro River to hydrate the local populace, livestock, and wildlife. The region, which is situated nearly halfway between the well-known Amboseli Game Park and the Masai Mara Game Reserve, acts as a wildlife corridor between the two. Because they control and own the Shompole ecosystem, the Maasai make it special. You have the freedom to be outside the vehicles rather than inside them because it is not a game park and you are less likely to run into other tourists there. You need just to come with your filming gears and start the filming adventure in Shompole Conservancy.
What to film in Shomple Conservancy in Kenya
In Shompole Conservancy, you will find a lot of the wild animals that you will be able to film and the animals include elephants have begun returning to the area after a long absence, and there are many lion, cheetah, and leopard in the area. There are numerous plains animals to be found, including zebra, wildebeest, impala, and eland, as well as large herds of buffalo. It is possible to see many small carnivores during the night, including genets, Africa wild cats, bat-eared foxes, and even the shy caracal occasionally. Still due to the wide variety of habitats found in the area, there are over 450 species of birds which you will be able to film habiting various habitats such as the highlands, wide plains, Acacia woodland, wetlands, riverine, and soda lakes are all present.
Where to stay during filming at Shompole Conservancy
Shampole conservancy has one of the best accommodation facilities where you can stay while filming and one of the accommodation facilities include the Shampole wilderness Camp which is a luxury accommodation facility offering the accommodation for the film crew members.
Requirements for filming in Shompole Conservancy
Filming permits                   Â
To film in Shompole Conservancy 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 Shompole Conservancy.
Filming fees and costs for Shompole Conservancy
For any person interested in filming in Shompole Conservancy, they will have to pay some costs and fees to be granted permission to do any filming activity. As such, the filming challenges in Shompole Conservancy 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 Shompole Conservancy.
Press Accreditation
To film in Shompole Conservancy, 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 Shompole Conservancy. 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 Shompole Conservancy 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 Shompole Conservancy 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 Shompole Conservancy, 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 Shompole Conservancy?
Filming in Shompole Conservancy 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 Shompole Conservancy -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)
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 Soysambu Conservancy, 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.
