Gorilla Filming in Rwanda – Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, is one of the three mountain gorilla trekking destinations in Africa, with the others being Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain gorillas dwell in the rain-forests of Volcanoes National Park in the heart of Rwanda. Filming was introduced to promote mountain gorilla conservation efforts and also increase awareness of the mountain gorillas worldwide.
This experience is only possible in the wild since mountain gorillas cannot survive for long in zoos. The maximum number allowed to film a mountain gorilla family is 8 people.
Gorilla Filming Permits
Mountain gorilla filming permits in Rwanda are obtained at a cost of $5000 per person per hour, and on top of that, each individual in the group must pay $1500 for normal gorilla trekking.
The filming crew will also need to deposit $2000 to the Rwanda Development Board.
This money is refunded once you provide them with a copy of your CD after filming.
The filming must also provide proof that the filming was for the promotion of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The filming permits can be purchased from the Rwanda Development Board or with the assistance of a reliable tour company.
All participants in gorilla filming must fill in the required forms and submit them before embarking on gorilla trekking.
You are advised to always send in your filming requests to the authorities in charge or the tour operators helping you obtain the permits 3 to 6 months prior to arrival in the country.
In case you need to use a drone for filming, you will need additional documentation for that.
What to Carry While Going for Gorilla Filming in Rwanda
Since gorilla filming is not much different from gorilla trekking, you will need to pack accordingly without forgetting essentials like waterproof hiking boots, raincoats, warm and long-sleeved clothes, garden gloves, sunscreen, insect repellents, energy-giving snacks, and plenty of drinking water, to mention but a few.
The Best Time to Go for Gorilla Filming
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park can be visited all year round, but for better filming, you will need to visit Volcanoes National Park during the dry season of June to September and December to February.
During this beautiful season of the year, the weather is very favorable with no thick vegetation, and the roads are not muddy and slippery, making it easy to trek to higher elevations where mountain gorillas live.
In Conclusion, Gorilla filming, if promoting mountain gorilla conservation efforts and creating awareness worldwide, is allowed in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Filming permits must be booked 3 to 6 months prior to arrival in the country.
Don’t forget to carry essential gear for trekking and go for gorilla filming during the dry season for a better experience.
