Chimpanzee filming permits

Chimpanzee filming in Uganda is an activity that tourists are now engaging in to create lasting memories of the chimpanzees. To be able to obtain chimpanzee filming permits in Uganda, you first have to purchase a chimpanzee tracking permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, especially for Kyambura Gorge and Kibale Forest National Park. If you want to film chimpanzees in Budongo Forest and Kalinzu Forest, you need to get trek permits from the National Forest Authority, and after getting the permit, you will also need a media card that we got from the Uganda Media Council.

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The trekking permits from UWA

Kibale National Park: Kibale is the best filming chimpanzee destination in Uganda with more than 1500 chimpanzees. The trekking permits in Kibale National Park have to be purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the cost was increased in July 2024 to help properly care for the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The cost differs depending on the category of tourists you belong to; for example, $250 for foreign non-residents, IGX180,000 for EAC citizens and $200 for foreign residents with work permits and resident permits. This permit gives the filming crew an hour with the chimpanzees. Filming crew members can opt for chimpanzee habituation where you get more time with the chimpanzees and the cost of the permit for foreign non-residents (international tourists) is $300 per person. For more information about chimpanzee habituation, check out our website at Encounter Africa Safaris.

Kyambura Gorge: Kyambura Gorge in the northwestern regionr of Queen Elizabeth National Park is a top chimpanzee filming destination in Uganda. Tourists have to first purchase the chimpanzee permit from UWA through a trusted tour company like Encounter Africa Safaris, and this can be booked at least 3 months before the trek date. The first step is to write to the Uganda Wildlife Authority asking for permission to film chimpanzees in their natural habitat, the duration of your filming safari, the reason for filming and the crew members.

Note that the Press Accreditation for all the national parks and the forests is the same, and it has to be paid in full before the filming permits are given out, and the same applies to the trekking permits. The chimpanzee filming and trekking permits have to be booked in advance because of the high demand and it also properly helps you plan.

After getting the trekking permits and filming permits in Uganda, you need to make sure that you understand all the requirements that are needed when it comes to filming, and if you have more queries about chimpanzee filming, feel free to get in touch with us at Encounter for guidance.

Trekking permits from the National Forestry Authority

Kalinzu Forest: Chimpanzee filming is one of the activities that is carried out in Kalinzu forest and we are here to help you plan your chimpanzee filming safari to Kalinzu. Some of the requirements that are needed for filming chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest include a filming permit from the National Forestry Authority and media cards giving you authority to film in any location in Uganda. You will also need to clear your equipment at customs to ease this process; you can contact us at Encounter Africa Safaris by first sending the photos of the filming equipment, their serial number visible, and their worth to ease the process.

You need a chimpanzee trekking permit which is your ticket to accessing the chimpanzees which is at $50.

Budongo Forest: Located in Murchison Falls National Park, this is a quiet filming destination for chimpanzee trekking. You also have to get the chimpanzee trek permit from the National Forestry Authority and the filming permit in advance. Make sure that you clear all your equipment with customs and we can help you with that. A chimpanzee trek permit in Budongo forest is not in high demand like in Kibale National Park, but you still have to book and purchase it in advance to ease the planning process.

Applying to the Press Accreditation in Uganda

The Press Accreditation in Uganda is a card or license that is issued by the Uganda Media Council to all individuals who are part of the crew. When you apply for the Press Media Accreditation, it will take you about 2 to 3 working days before they are issued but you need to first ensure that all the necessary documents have been filed.

When applying for the media council, you will need a scanned copy of your passport, especially the bio page, with your name, nationality, age, passport number and photo visible, a well-filled FORM G and a recent passport photo. Each crew member is supposed to fill out the form G and the team leader has to send a detailed essay on why they want to film chimpanzees in Uganda. When you are through with filling in the forms and have the documents, proceed with submitting them to the Uganda Media Council for approval. If the request is approved, you will be contacted by the relevant authorities.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we will help you secure the media cards from the Uganda Media Council and, thereafter, further help you secure all the other permits/permissions that will be needed when filming the chimpanzees.

The press Accreditation fees for the media card:  The fees are to be paid to the Uganda Media Council and below is a tentative guide on what is to be paid for the card.

0 to 30 days                          USD175 per person

30 days to 6 months           USD225 per person

24 months                            USD325 per person.

The Uganda Media Council retains all the rights to making changes to the fees mentioned above. Treat this as a guide on what to expect to pay when applying for the Press Accreditation card.

What is needed to get the Press Accreditation

As you plan chimpanzee filming in Uganda, you have to make sure that you have all the requirements needed and know the steps that need to be followed as you apply for one. Below is all you need to apply for the media card and we shall be here to guide you through the process.

• All crew members and applicants have to fill in Form G from the Uganda Media Council and all spaces have to be filled
• Get a certificate of good conduct from Interpol and attach it to the filled in Form G
• Ensure that you have/get a letter from your employer or organization addressed to the Secretary of the Media Council of Uganda introducing you.
• Attach a recent passport-sized photo.
• Each member of the crew has to write a formal application letter for a work permit.
• The last step is to pay all the fees to the Uganda Media Council and wait for the approval letter.

Importance/benefits of having the Media card for the filming crew

No crew will be allowed to film chimpanzees in their natural habitat if they don’t have the media card. It plays an important role when it comes to filming chimpanzees and below are the reasons why you need to apply and have one.

• The media card is a sign that you are a genuine and legitimate professional person, unlike scammers. The Media accreditation gives you, and your content protection in all fields, and it takes some of the authorities away from you while you are filming.
• The media card gives you access to all the restricted areas within the national parks that other tourists don’t have access to. It gives you unlimited access to all the areas that you want to film while on your safari.
• The media card protects you from the authorities by identifying you to the public and the security agents as a legal worker in the country. It protects you from scammers and exploits from the public who would wish to take credit for your work and extort you.

Importing the filming equipment

If you are considering chimpanzee filming in Uganda, you have to bring your filming equipment with you because the equipment in Uganda is not of good quality. The recommended travel for all your equipment is air and we advise that you come/accompany your equipment till it reaches its final destination. In short, make sure that you are on the same flight as your equipment. If you cannot be on the same flight, use the option of air freight coming as unaccompanied luggage although this is a more expensive option. It is also risky as the equipment can take long at customs, delaying your safari, and you might require extra days to pick it up. When it comes to your equipment and filming safari, we offer:

The Bond system: The Bond system refers to the temporary importation of film equipment where tourists have an option of depositing a sum that is the full value of the equipment with the Government for their duration of filming. Once the shooting is done, you can apply for the bond money to be refunded as you exit the country.

Use of a freight agent: If you cannot deposit with the government, you can pay a 10% non-refundable total value of your equipment to a freight agent and allow him to use his bond. It is a much easier and quicker process and Encounter Africa Safaris has reliable and efficient freight agents who we work with when it comes to filming projects.

Kit clearance: Encounter Africa Safaris can help you clear all filming equipment at any of the entry points into the country. We also help with the importation of the filming drones, although temporarily, and if you are planning on bringing a drone, make sure that you start working on the process in advance.

Location: Scouting for locations is one of the things that we help you with when chimpanzee filming in the country. Chimpanzee filming is done in numerous destinations across the country and our job is to help you get the perfect location for filming. We help you analyze and get the best location depending on your preferences.

Security for the film crew: The chimpanzee filming packages are designed in a way that the filming is carried out in a secure location hence protecting the crew and the equipment. Patrols are carried out before the filming; there is continuous surveillance to reduce opportunities for vandalism, disturbances, theft and any insecure activity.

Accommodation for the crew: We have a long and good work relationship with many lodges, hotels and camps within the different chimpanzee filming destinations. We help you search for the best accommodation facilities that fit your budget, and we do this in advance to get the best deals.

Transport: We offer transport to the crew and safe transportation of your equipment from Kampala to the different chimpanzee filming destinations. We can easily arrange for both crew and equipment transportation using the different transportation means available.

Chimpanzee filming rules and regulations

Chimpanzee filming is going to be done in national parks and other protected areas and because the chimpanzees have to be protected, the filming crew has to follow all the rules and guidelines some of which include:

• A crew of 8 will be allowed to trek and film the chimpanzees per session. This is done to reduce the interaction between the chimpanzees and people as a means of protection.
• The session is strictly an hour for standard chimpanzee trekking but you can get a permit with 4 hours under the habituation exercise
• No crew member will be allowed to participate in the exercise when they are sick
• All crew members have to keep a distance of 8 meters from the chimpanzees
• Crew members have to communicate in low tones to be able to clearly observe the chimpanzees.
• Filming is only done when the crew is with an experienced guide
• You are not allowed to feed, touch and smoke when with the chimpanzees.
• The crew should follow all the guidelines given by the guides, trackers and armed rangers.

Get in touch with Encounter Africa Safaris for more information about chimpanzee filming permits in Uganda.