Filming in Soysambu Conservancy
Filming in Soysambu Conservancy: This is a great conservancy offering the filming adventures in Kenya found on the Lake Elementaita and it was categorised as an important Birding and Biodiversity Area by the Ramser Convection Wetlands Site and Birding Life International. This conservancy is bounded by Lake Nakuru National Park on the western side, the Menengai to the North, and the Volcanoes Ol Dpinyo Eburu to the south. The Soysambu Conservancy is home to more than 450 bird species (including 90+ Rothschild’s Giraffe, which make up 10% of the Rothschild’s Giraffe population worldwide and 28% of the world’s population of Lesser Flamingos). Our Objective: The Soysambu Estate is a traditional wildlife area that supports the integrity of the greater Rift Valley eco-system. The Soysambu Conservancy promotes sustainable coexistence of wildlife and livestock while also being relevant to and a part of contemporary Kenya.
What to film in Soysambu Conservancy
Filming wildlife in Soysambu Conservancy:  Here you will be able to film the various habitats of Soysambu Conservancy that includes savannah and acacia woodland, so grazing animals predominate there. Zebra and buffalo contribute the most biomass to the area (after cattle). Soysambu is home to four mammal species that are threatened with extinction. These include the Lion, Leopard, and Colobus guereza monkey. The Rothschild’s giraffe is one of these. Around 150 Rothschild’s giraffe live on the Estate, making up more than 10% of the remaining wild populations of this endangered species worldwide. Still you will be able to film Waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s Gazelle, and Impala. The largest antelope in the world, elands are fascinating to observe as they effortlessly move through tall grasses and soak up the sun by the water. The shy but beautiful Bush-buck and Reedbuck are a sight to behold. Dik Dik frequently stand to observe you as you approach before scurrying into the vegetation in pairs. Don’t forget that the conservancy further features Aardvark, an African Spring Hare (jack rabbit), or even a Leopard can be spotted which can as well be filmed.
Filming birds in Soyambu Conservancy: The Conservancy alone is home to over 450 species of birds which are available for filming. The pelican and the flamingo are typically the two bird species that are best known. The greater and lesser flamingos (Phoeniconasias major and minor, respectively) use the lake and its riparian area as a feeding area where they consume the blue-green alga “Spirulina” (Arthrospira fusiformis). Further, Aside from Cape Teals (Anas capensis), Spoon Bills (Platalea alba), Yellow-billed Storks (Mycteria ibis), Cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.), Terns (Sterna spp.), and the stunning Egyptian Goose, you will also capture footage of these birds (Alopochen aegyptiacus). Along with Sandpipers and Snipes, Herons and Plovers can frequently be seen wading on lakeshores, and Hammerkops and Egrets can be seen by freshwater rivers and troughs. Pigeons and doves chirp from the nearby Acacia trees as gulls screech overhead. Vultures are often able to pinpoint the location of a recent kill because they can be seen from great distances. As they scan the skies, eagles, kites, goshawks, and sparrow hawks keep a sharp focus on the ground in the hopes of spotting an unwary rodent.
Where to stay during filming in Soysambu Conservancy
Visitors on filming mission on a Soysambu Conservancy will stay at Soysambu campsite that include Simons campsites, you can stay at sunbirds lodge, and lake Elementaita Serena Camp. Please contact Africa adventure vacations for more information about Lodging at Lake Elementaita.
Requirements for filming in Soysambu Conservancy
Filming permits                   Â
To film in Soysambu 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 Soysambu Conservancy.
Filming fees and costs for Soysambu Conservancy
For any person interested in filming in Soysambu 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 Soysambu 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 Soysambu Conservancy.
Press Accreditation
To film in Soysambu 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 Soysambu 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 Soysambu 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 Soysambu 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 Soysambu 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 Soysambu Conservancy?
Filming in Soysambu 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 Soysambu 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 Ol Pejeta 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.
