Best Places to Film Primates in Tanzania

Best Places to film primates in Tanzania

Tanzania is the best-known destination for wildlife viewing and filming, however it is also a great place to see and film primates ranging from Chimpanzees to various species of monkeys. Most national parks in Tanzania are dominated by big game animals there are few places to see and film primates in Tanzania and the best places include the following;

Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the best parks in Tanzania for filming primates. It is home to notable primates of East Africa worth filming which include chimpanzee, red colobus, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, giant squirrel, red-legged sun squirrel, brush-tailed porcupine, bushy-tailed mongoose, Angolan black-and-white colobus monkeys. These are best filmed during the wet and fruit seasons which makes tracking and filming them easy.

Gombe National Park

Gombe National Park is home to chimpanzees habituated chimpanzee groups that can be tracked and filmed with experienced ranger guides at the Gombe main tracking trail. Other primate and wildlife species found in Gombe National Park include olive baboon, red-tailed monkey, red colobus, diademed monkey, leopard, bushbuck, buffalo, waterbuck, barbet, palm-nut vulture, Forbes’ plover, African fish eagle, and Peters’s twin spot among others

Other best places for filming primates in Tanzania include Selous game reserve, Arusha National park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Katavi National Park, and Mikumi National Park among others.

What is the best time to film primates in Tanzania?

The best time to film primates in Tanzania is during the rainy season which is best for chimpanzee sporting while the green vegetation blooms providing an astonishing scenic view (November to Mid- May) while dry season provides a chance for the best photo-taking, short and long hike (May to October). During this time fruits have grown and it is easy for chimpanzees to find food and gather there making it easy for filming and tracking. Primates can however be filmed all year round in Tanzania.

Requirements and fees to film primates in Tanzania

You will need to get a filming permit from Tanzania Film Censorship Board and Tanzania National Park Authority for you to be allowed to film primates in Tanzania. Securing a filming permit in Tanzania can be an expensive and time-consuming process so make sure to allow plenty of time for us to help you secure the permit for you. The first step is to complete all necessary applications with the help of your Tanzanian production service producer/fixer. The application will be submitted to your local Tanzanian consulate so that they can complete the application. Once that is done you will send the original documents back to your Tanzanian service producer/fixer for finalizing with local Tanzanian authorities.

A regular Tanzania Filming permit costs US$1,000 if you apply 3 months in advance and a last-minute Tanzania Filming permit costs US$3,000. Contact us here to help you secure the Tanzania filming permit.

Other permissions and fees for filming film primates in Tanzania

Once you have obtained a filming permit for filming in Tanzania, there may be other permissions needed depending on where you want to film primates in Tanzania. Permissions include filming inside the national park or conservation area, drone filming, and night filming. Tanzania has many rules and regulations when it comes to filming and therefore it is important to be properly guided through this long bureaucratic process.

Various filming fees apply for filming within Tanzania national parks, wildlife areas, and conservation areas. National Parks and conservation areas have specific fees to film crews that change regularly. Contact us here for up to date filming fees to film primates in Tanzania.

On top of the above, you will need to cover accommodation, Visas and work permits, fixer fees, and transport for a successful shoot of primates in Tanzania as below;

Tanzania Visa and work permit Advice

You will need to purchase the tourist visa. Many film crews prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Tanzania but visas can be obtained easily upon arrival at any entry point in Tanzania upon paying USD100.00 for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately. Proof of yellow fever vaccination and a COVID-19 free certificate may be asked if arriving from affected countries. Visa, work permit and other entry and exit conditions such as customs and quarantine regulations can change regularly. We advise you contact your local Tanzanian embassy or here for the latest travel information to Tanzania.

Tanzania Vehicle Hire Services

Film Crew Fixers Uganda will help you organize transport for film crews to film primates in Tanzania depending on their interest, budget, and the nature of roads in such selected locations to film in the park. We recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers which costs from USD200-250 per vehicle per day with Driver/Fixer or 4×4 Safari Vans from USD200 per Van per day with driver/Fixer. For us to estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to establish mileage and distance to be traveled.

Film Fixers in Tanzania to help film primates in Tanzania

All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Tanzania and are thus conversant with the local situations and are able to provide relevant information and fix any situation on the ground. These act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location in Tanzania. Contact us here if you are in need of a Film fixer in Tanzania to help you film primates in Tanzania.

Where to stay during filming primates in Tanzania

Lodge options to stay in during filming primates in Tanzania range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Lodge options in Gombe National Park include Mbali Mbali Gome Lodge, Gombe forest lodge, Muzye Lodge, and Mlukoyoyo Guest House among others. Lodge options in Mahale Mountains National Park include Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge, Greystoke Mahale Camp, and Kungwe Beach Lodge among others.

Why use Film crew fixers Uganda to film primates in Tanzania

Film crew Fixers is a local fixer company based in Uganda, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Uganda and East Africa as a whole for the last 8 years. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides. We have all relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies to make sure that accreditation and filming permits are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming of primates in Tanzania.