Top destinations for filming Big 5 animals In Kenya
Top destinations for filming Big 5 animals In Kenya: Kenya is the one of the best destinations where you can see and film the big five animals at ease. There very many destsionans in form of national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and the conservancies where you can go and film the big five animals in Kenya. But in these article today, we look at the best destinations or national parks where you can film the big five animals which include the elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions and Rhinos. And the Top destinations for filming Big 5 animals In Kenya include;
Filming the big five animals in Tsavo National Park: Since the infamous man-eating lions of 1898, Tsavo has come a long way. Tsavo East and Tsavo West are currently vast, uninhabited, and completely safe for filming safaris. The Big 5 animals are present here, though they are not always easy to see. Filming safaris are enjoyable because of both the anticipation and the sightings. Rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and yes, lions, will be the rewards for those who persevere. Elephants sand bathing in the red sand, rolling around, and creating quite a spectacle, are another popular sight that you can film in Tsavo West. Along with the ever-present crocodiles lurking in the shallows, you’ll also film hippos bathing here (although this time in the water.
Filming Big five animals in Amboseli National Park: Another well-known park is Amboseli, where you can film elephants trundling across the plains against the majestic backdrop of a distant Mount Kilimanjaro that is covered in snow. Amboseli is known as the “Land of the Giants” because of the vast herds of elephants that roam the sun-baked savannah. Amboseli is home to over 50 different animal species which can be filmed. It’s a pretty uncommon sight, especially if you’re fortunate enough to see some of the renowned big tuskers. There is a good chance of filming lions, leopards, and even cheetahs thanks to these unimpeded views, which make for excellent game viewing. With over 400 different species to look out for, it’s fantastic for bird filming as well.
Filming Big five animals in Lewa Conservancy: In order to preserve the rare Grevy’s zebra and the critically endangered black rhino, a private wildlife reserve called Lewa Conservancy was set up. More than 60 mammal species present, allowing the film Crew members to have a well-rounded safari experience. It’s a wonderful location to indulge in some wildlife viewing with a difference by horse or even camel in addition to vehicle safaris and bush walks. Along with finding gazelles, lions, and leopards, visitors to Lewa can also find reticulated giraffes, Beisa oryx, and the enormous eland. Big five animals can as well be found here and thus you don’t need to miss out for this great opportunity to film these great big animals species and film them.
Filming the Big five animals in Masai Mara National Reserve: The Masai Mara, proudly located in southwest Kenya’s Rift Valley, is home to the big five animals that you don’t need to miss during filming, as well as sizable herds of hippos, hyenas, and topi. The list continues. The Masai Mara National Reserve and the private conservancies that are also a part of the Masai Mara are separated by no fences, allowing the animals to roam freely. The expansive views of the wide-open savannah make it simple to see the big cats. The Masai Mara is renowned for having a large number of cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs which are available for filming. They may be resting in a lone tree’s shade or hunting the numerous zebra and wildebeest that arrive during the migration between june and july and rhinos can also0 be see within the Reserve `
Filming big five animals in Lake Nakuru National Park: It’s uncommon to see black and white rhinos with a background of pink flamingos, but it happens frequently at Lake Nakuru. Large flamingo flocks frequent the shallow, alkaline waters of the lake, where there are frequently more than a million of the birds nesting. The chances of seeing giraffe, lion, hippo, warthog, and ostrich are good year-round at Lake Nakuru, even though it doesn’t feel as wild or untamed as many of the other game reserves and parks in Kenya.
Requirements for filming big five animals in Kenya
Filming permits
To film big five animals 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 of the big five animals
Filming fees and costs for big five animals
For any person interested in filming of the big five animals in top destination of Kenya, they will have to pay some costs and fees to be granted permission to do any filming activity. As such, the filming charges for big five animals 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 big five animals.
Press Accreditation
To film the big five animals, 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 big five animals. 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 big five animals 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 the big five animals top destinations of 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 in top destinations for filming Big 5 animals. 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 for filming Big 5 animals In top destinations in Kenya?
Filming of the big five animals 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 big five animals 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 Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, 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.