Filming Lake Turkana in Kenya
Filming Lake Turkana in Kenya: Lake Turkana is the largest permanent desert lake in the whole world which makes it a valuable destination for filming. The lake is fringed by stark cliffs, rocky beaches and the petrified remains of the once great cedar fores that flourished seven million years ago. It is well known that Lake Turkana is the lake with the world’s largest population of the crocodiles. The estimated 12,000 crocodiles in Lake Turkana have not changed much over the past 130 million years. Despite their enormous size and intimidating appearance, these enormous beasts are typically harmless creatures that coexist peacefully with their environment and feed on the plentiful fish in the lake. Some of Kenya’s most isolated tribes depend on Lake Turkana for their very existence. The Turkana, who have Ugandan ancestry, lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle near the Lake. The El Molo, the smallest tribe in the nation, are hunters and gatherers who inhabit the shores in settlements of recognizable rounded reed huts. Turkana has one of the longest living histories on earth, and recent fossil evidence unearthed at Koobi Fora has led to the Lake being referred to as ‘The Cradle of Mankind’. The location is in the center of the Sibiloi National Park, which is known for its stark beauty and petrified forests from the Paleolithic era.
Since the water from the lakes is known to contain a lot of fluoride, it should not be consumed. The lake is well-known for having a large population of Nile crocodiles that has not decreased over time. These islands are located on the lake’s central island, which is reachable by boat. The lake serves as a breeding ground for a variety of birds, including the African Skimmer, White Breasted Cormorant, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stall, and Common Sandpiper.
Accessing Lake Turkana for Filming
It takes some effort to travel overland to Turkana. It must be acknowledged that flying to Turkana somewhat simplifies the adventure, even though it is possible to fly to the Lake in a chartered aircraft (and flying is actually advised for the farthest Northern reaches). In this location, the route is very much an integral part of the final destination, and the only way to truly experience remoteness is by taking the winding, difficult route. The flight itself, however, is a fascinating experience that offers a bird’s-eye view of the Lake as well as stunning views of the Suguta Valley.
Requirements for filming Lake Turkana
Filming permits
To film Lake Turkana 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 Lake Turkana.
Filming fees and costs for Lake Turkana
For any person interested in Lake Turkana, they will have to pay some costs and fees to be granted permission to do any filming activity. As such, the filming charges for Lake Turkana 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 film Lake Turkana.
Press Accreditation
To film Lake Turkana 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 filming Lake Turkana
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 filming Lake Turkana 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 Lake Turkana 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, 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 the best time to film Lake Turkana in Kenya?
Filming of the Lakes in Kenya 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 film the Lake 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 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.
