
The best places for filming lions in Tanzania
What are the best places for filming lions in Tanzania? Tanzania, as a country, offers places where tourists can effectively see lions, and those who are interested in filming lions in Tanzania will be able to film lions in Tanzania with ease, and this will be outstanding. With 40 to 50 percent of the world’s lion population, Tanzania is one of the best tourist destinations in Africa to view lions, and it continues to be a favorite safari destination. According to a recent assessment, Tanzania has the most lions in comparison to other African nations. The nation now possesses between 14,000 and 15,000 lions thanks to a vast network of protected areas in the shape of national parks and wildlife reserves encompassing at least 300,000 square kilometers. The cat family’s most gregarious member is the lion. They exist in prides of 15 to 20 individuals, each of which has up to three males, multiple adult females (one of which is dominant), and a variety of sub-adults and cubs. Males often share a territory with several female lion prides that range in size from 20 to 400 square kilometers. Males assist in the capture of huge animals, whereas females do the majority of the hunting. Although they have been observed hunting warthogs and buffalo outside of the annual migration, they prefer wildebeest and zebra. Due to their high metabolism, they sleep an average of 20 hours every day, and killings occasionally take place at night.
One of the most sought-after animals by many filmmakers and documentary shooters in Tanzania is the lion, or Simba, as it is known there. Lions can be filmed throughout Tanzania’s several national parks, reserves, and conservancies. If you visit Tanzania’s greatest national parks, you will have a decent chance of seeing lions on your safari game drive. Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most well-known national parks. In this article, we explore the best and top destinations or places where you can film lions in Tanzania, and these places include the following:

filming Lions in Lake Manyara National Park
Lion filming in Lake Manyara National Park: This is a great location in Tanzania to film the lions for those of you who are interested in filming lions in Tanzania. The “tree-climbing lions” in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park are so named because they spend the day perched on tree branches before swooping down to the earth at dusk. Lions, black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, servals, honey badgers, African wild cats, spotted hyenas, African civets, genet (Genetta) species, and numerous mongoose species are among the animals that can be found in this park. Cheetah and African golden cat sightings are rare, but Tanzania has some of the best places to watch lions. The African wild cat, spotted hyena, serval, honey badger, lion, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, genet (Genetta) species, and various mongoose species are among the numerous predators that can be filmed in this area. Rare sightings of cheetahs and African golden cats exist. Among the notable mammals are the elephant, baboon, lesser and greater flamingos, Cape buffalo, leopard, hippopotamus, wildebeest, bushbuck, impala, giraffe, and zebra. Other significant birds include the Ayres’s hawk-eagle, Nile monitor, white-breasted cormorant, palm-nut vulture, and cobra.
Filming lions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Tanzania: Located in northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro crater is one of Africa’s natural wonders and a great place to see animals. According to reports from 2020, there are roughly eight prides and 65 to 75 lions total on the crater bottom. In addition to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an excellent place in Tanzania to see lions up close during your safari. On your safari in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro crater, in addition to seeing lions, you might also see wildebeest, leopard, hartebeest, elephant, mountain reedbuck, zebra, spotted hyena, hippopotamus, buffalo, gazelle, and the critically endangered black rhinoceros. This is an excellent location to film lions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The black rhinoceros, an endangered species, as well as the wildebeest, leopard, hartebeest, elephant, mountain reedbuck, zebra, spotted hyena, hippopotamus, buffalo, and gazelle are among the other important animal species to be filmed in this conservation area.
Filming Lions in Serengeti National Park: This is the first location on your Tanzania safari tour where you can easily spot lions. Africa’s greatest lion population, numbering over 3,000, is found in the Serengeti National Park. On a safari through the park’s limitless plains, visitors can see some of the 300 lion prides that call it home. One of the best places to observe lions in Tanzania is Serengeti National Park, and if you visit during the Great Migration, which occurs from April to October, you’ll have the chance to witness them hunting prey during the wildebeest migration. If you visit Serengeti National Park during the great migration, which typically occurs from July to October, you will have the opportunity to video lions hunting prey during the wildebeest migration. Wildebeest, zebra, leopard, gazelle, giraffe, spotted hyena, elephant, serval, agama lizard, rock hyrax, secretary bird, rhinoceros, buffalo, cheetah, jackal, and aardwolf are among the other noteworthy wild creatures. During your lion filming safari journey to Tanzania’s Serengeti national park, you might also film wildebeest, zebra, leopard, gazelle, giraffe, spotted hyena, elephant, serval, agama lizard, rock hyrax, secretary bird, rhinoceros, buffalo, cheetah, jackal, and a broad range of bird species.
Another location to film lions in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park is the Ruaha National Park:Â Ruaha is home to 10% of all lions in Africa and 40% of all lions in Tanzania. The Lions of Ruaha form big prides, some of which have more than thirty members, but because the areas are small, tourists can see several prides on a single day. Other animals you might encounter in this national park are the Greater and Lesser Kudu, Sable and Roan antelopes, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, leopards, zebras, impalas, elands, jackals, and bat-eared foxes. Another location in Tanzania where Lions was filmed was Ruaha National Park. The Greater and Lesser Kudu, Sable and Roan antelopes, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, leopards, zebras, impalas, elands, jackals, and bat-eared foxes are some of the other creatures that may be seen in the area. Selous Game Reserve, Arusha National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Kitulo National Park, Saadani National Park, Katavi National Park, and Mikumi National Park are some of the other famous top national parks in Tanzania where the movie Lions was shot.

lion Filming in Nyerere National Park
Filming lions in Nyerere National Park Tanzania: The largest national park in Tanzania, Nyerere, is another great spot where you can film lions while on a Tanzania filming safari. Of all the big cats in Nyerere National Park, the lion is the one that people admire and dread the most. The biggest big cat seen in Africa is called the “King of the Jungle.” On a safari through Nyerere National Park in Tanzania, one can see these interesting animals. There are between 1,700 and 6,900 lions in Nyerere National Park and the neighboring Selous Game Reserve, according to estimates.
The cost of filming in Tanzania
Visitors who are interested in filming any destination in Tanzania are informed that there is some money that they will need to pay to do commercial filming in Tanzania. The filming permit will be issued by the Tanzanian government through the Tanzania Filming Board. Here at Africa Adventure Vacations, we will completely assist you in getting the filming permit in Tanzania and make sure that everything you need will be sorted in the quickest time possible. Once you have got the permit, which costs $1000, and this fee is for the regular permit, once you have this, then you will be able to go to the park where you will be filming, pay for the entrance, and immediately start the activity of filming.
Requirements for filming lions in Tanzania
Filming permits and their costs: You will need a filming permit to participate in any filming activity in Tanzania. All those who are interested in filming in Tanzania will have to book their filming permits from the Tanzania Film Censorship Board and the Department of Antiquities in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
Once you have this filming permit, then you can proceed and start your filming of wildlife in Tanzania. It is very important to note that getting a filming permit in Tanzania might be expensive and time-consuming, and thus the visitors must ensure that they book early with us so that we can start the process of securing the filming permit for Tanzania early. Make sure that you undergo all the application forms for filming with the assistance of your local Tanzania production service film fixer. This is the step that you must take before anything. Once you have finished the application procedures, make sure that you submit the forms to your reputable local Tanzania Consulate. This will help to quicken and complete your application process. Later, after this exercise, you will be asked to send your original documents back to your Tanzania film fixer to finalize the process with the authorities in Tanzania.
Permits for filming can only be used for three months at a time. Giving oneself as much time as possible to accomplish this process is recommended. If you just have a short amount of time, you can get an expedited permit, but the expenses will be substantially higher. A standard permit costs $1,000. The film crew members who don’t have time and would like to book the last-minute filming permit in Tanzania will have to pay $3,000 each. Please contact us here at Africa Adventure Vacations as we can help to secure the filming permit to enable you to make and do lion filming in Tanzania.
Other Permission and Filming Fees in Tanzania: The moment you are done with getting the filming permit, which is the core of filming in Tanzania, remember that you might need some other permissions that you will need to gain access to Dodoma city in Tanzania for filming. The other permissions that you might need may include filming inside the protected area or the national park, in case you need to do drone filming, as well as those interested in night filming safaris in Tanzania. Several laws and rules guide visitors or those who are interested in filming in Tanzania, and thus you must get the proper film fixer with high credentials to guide you so that you are not caught on the wrong side of the law. Please be reminded that you will also need to cover the accommodation costs, the visa, the film fixers’ fee, and the vehicle that you need to transport to and from Tanzania for filming.

Use a hard body 4×4 vehicle for a filming safari to Tanzania
You need a 4×4 vehicle when going to and from filming lions in Tanzania: 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 lions in Tanzania. 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
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 Tanzania, so they are familiar with the local conditions and can provide critical information and resolve any situation on the ground. While in Tanzania, these serve as intermediaries between you and our office. And please contact us for any film fixers in Tanzania. We are available 24 hours a day to be able to help you with all the information relating to filming lions in Tanzania.
Filming equipment freight and customs
If you choose Tanzania as your recording destination, you will almost certainly need to bring film equipment with you. The most efficient method of air shipping freight is to “go with” the baggage on your aircraft. The alternative option is to convey it as “unaccompanied” cargo via airship. The last method is more expensive, and the hardware may spend some time in customs at the port of entry. In Tanzania, the temporary importation of film equipment is governed by a bond framework or system. You can save the entire value of the hardware with the Tanzanian government for the duration of the shoot. You can apply for a discount on this bond’s cash market value. In any event, film studios can pay a freight agent or specialist a non-refundable 10% of the total cost of the equipment in exchange for the use of his or her bond. This is a shorter and less complicated cycle.
When is the best time to visit Tanzania while filming Lions?
Filming lions in Tanzania, the capital of Tanzania, is an adventure that is done all year round, but the best times for filming are during December and then from June to October. This time, weather conditions are dry and this makes filming activities so much more fantastic. The ideal opportunity for filming lions in Tanzania is during the dry season, which lasts from June to December. Filming in the rainy season is hectic and I would advise anyone to think of filming dry this time. However, the wet season is associated with the green color of nature because of the regeneration of vegetation, and this at times makes filming an adventure that is done all day or all year through. The wet season disturbs the film crew members, and it happens especially from March to May and November. Therefore, it is good that you film lions from December to February and then June to October, which is relatively dry compared to March to May and November.

Lodge at Crest Safari Lodge
Where to stay while filming lions in Tanzania
In Tanzania, there are a variety of lodges to choose from, ranging in price from budget to luxury. Depending on your preferences and financial situation, you will decide where to stay. Arusha Giraffe Lodge, Original Maasai Lodge, Crest Safari Lodge, Meru View Lodge, Africa Amini, Kiboko Lodge, Lake Duluti Lodge, and Arusha Budget Lodge are just a few of the lodging options available. Contact us here at Africa Adventure Vacations for information on reservations and bookings.
Why should you book your Tanzania filming safari with Africa Adventure Vacations?
Africa Adventure Vacations is a well-known 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, particularly those 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.