Filming in Rubondo Island National Park

Filming in Rubondo Island National Park

Rubondo Island National Park is one of the beautiful national parks in Tanzania it is the largest Island National Park in Africa. It is located on the southwest shores of Lake Victoria covering Rubondo Island and several other small islands of Lake Victoria. Rubondo Island National park offers a variety of habitats for wildlife including velvet monkeys, crocodiles, chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, genet cats, spotted necked otters and marhes bucks among others. The park is also home to various bird species making it one of the best places to film wildlife in Tanzania.

What to film in Rubondo Island National Park

Sport fishing

Rubondo National Park is home to a variety of fish species, anglers from around the world travel to this Island for the opportunity to reel in a Nile Perch one of Africa’s biggest freshwater fish.

Wildlife

Rubondo National Park is home to some indigenous wildlife species which include hippos, bushbucks, chimpanzees, elephants and giraffes, genet cats, spotted necked otters, warthog, buffaloes, and various monkey species.

Major Park attractions to film at Rubondo Island National Park include

• A variety of water birds , Eurasian migrants and introduced African grey parrots
• High density of African fish eagles distinctly seen
• Animal species including Sitatunga, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Bushbucks, Pythons, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees (not fully habituated), Bush pigs and Suni
• The Lake Victoria forming a spectacular sight for visitors with the deepest point in the lake (Irumo) forming part of the park
• Magnificent view of one of the last remaining representatives of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest with a unique habitat mosaic in the midst of high biodiversity value
• Beautiful and attracting beaches such as Fly catcher, Mchangani and Michicoco
• Important gulfs of Irumo and Kamea
• Clear sighting of both sun rise and sun set
• Cultural sites such as “Ntungamirwe”, “Maji Matakatifu”, “Altare” and “Solo” which explain the life of natives who once stayed in the park
• “Birds Islands”, breeding sit for water birds
• Crocodile Island

Requirements and fees to film in Rubondo Island National Park

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 in Rubondo Island National Park. 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 in Rubondo Island National Park

Once you have obtained a filming permit for filming in Tanzania, there may be other permissions needed depending on what you want to film in Rubondo Island National Park. 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 in Rubondo Island National Park

On top of the above you will need to cover accommodation, Visas and work permits, fixer fees and transport for a successful shoot in Rubondo Island National Park 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 in Rubondo Island National Park 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 travelled.

Film Fixers in Tanzania to help you film in Rubondo Island National Park

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 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 in Rubondo Island National Park.

Accommodation in Rubondo Island National Park

Lodge options to stay in during filming in Rubondo Island range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Lodge options in Rubondo Island National park include Rubondo Island Camp, Boki Lodge, Chato Beach Resort, Boma Guest House and Divinity Guest House among others.

How to get to Rubondo Island National Park

There are 2 ways to reach Rubondo Island National Park by park boat which carries up to 7 passengers but it is required to book this in advance. Then there is as well an option to use a motorcycle or Taxi from Muganza port to the Rubondo Island.

What is the best time to film in Rubondo Island National Park?

Filming in Rubondo Island National Park is done throughout the year and the best time is during the months of December to February and then June to October which is relatively drier than March to May and November.

Why use Film crew fixers Uganda to film in Rubondo Island National Park

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 in Rubondo Island National Park.