Mgahinga National Park is one of the smallest parks located in the southwestern part of Uganda in a district called Kisoro. When filming in Mgahinga National Park, Film Crew Fixers will take care of all logistics that you require for a successful shoot. Such logistics include but are not limited to location scouting, process filming permits with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Media accreditation, kit customs clearing, drone hire/flying permits, casting, transport and accommodation while in Mgahinga National Park.

About filming in Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park is popularly known as a park for gorilla trekking. Mgahinga National Park lies in the Virunga ranges shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga boosts of so many filming attractions which Film Crew Fixers is proud to highlight.

Gorilla filming in Mgahinga National Park.

As earlier pointed out, Mgahinga National Park is popular for gorilla tracking due to the presence of one habituated mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi. This gorilla family has over ten members which used to cross over to Rwanda hence halting gorilla trekking activities on the Uganda side but in the last three years, Nyakagezi has been permanently resident in Uganda. Those interested in Filming in Mgahinga should look at filming gorillas of the Nyakagezi family.

Golden Monkey filming in Mgahinga

It’s only in Mgahinga that one can film golden monkeys. This is because of the fact that currently, Mgahinga National Park has habituated golden monkeys that can be filmed by any filming company. Other things that can be filmed include mountains such as Mountain Mgahinga, Mountain Muhavura as well as sabinyo which has a very reach ecosystem. There is the cultural part of filming the Garama Cave which used to be the home of the King of the Batwa.

Requirements for filming in Mgahinga National Park

Just like any filming project where one has to film in a National Park, one will need a filming permit from Uganda wildlife Authority. Your producer should write an official letter to the Executive Director UWA requesting permission to film in Mgahinga. In the letter, one must indicate what is to be filmed, when, the crew and the reason for filming. It is from this letter that a contract will be drafted and if agreed by all parties, it will be verified and signed. It is this contract that will guarantee you permission to film in Mgahinga National Park.

Booking gorilla or Golden Monkey permits

To film mountain gorillas or golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park, one must secure permits before being given a filming permit by Uganda Wildlife Authority. The fact that Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated mountain gorilla family, one needs to book permits in advance to be guaranteed space. Film Crew fixers advises Film Crews to book these permits in advance.  When contacted, we will make sure that your permits are booked in advance of 3-6 months.

Media Accreditation by Uganda Media Council

To film in Mgahinga National Park, all members of your crew must be accredited by Uganda Media Council. Depending on the duration of your shoot, you can apply for a one-month media card, six months, a year, or two. Form G must be filled by each individual, scanned, and sent to the Uganda Media council with a copy of your passport, passport photo, certificate of good conduct, and any paperwork that might be needed. The process of acquiring a media pass can sometimes be challenging but Film Crew Fixers will assist you to ensure that you acquire your media card in 4-6 working days.

Visa and work permit processing

You need a visa and work pass to enter and work in Uganda. All visa applications must be done online and at an appropriate time, Film Crew Fixers will share with you an online link where details must be filled in for you to be granted a visa into Uganda. All filming projects that are more than a week require one to process a work permit before accreditation. Work passes are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Film Crew fixers assists all clients in processing visa and work passes to make their work easier. Feel free to contact us here.

Kit customs clearance

Uganda as a country does not have many options and up-to-date filming equipment one can rely on one. All film crews intending to film in Uganda or Mgahinga National Park should bring in their equipment or plan to hire it in Kenya or South Africa. Uganda is not a carnet country and as such, a fee equivalent to a given percentage will be charged. To establish the cost of temporary importing in your filming equipment, you will have to send us a full list indicating the name of each, serial numbers, and value of each in USD or Pounds. It is from this list that our clearing agent will establish the cost and then process all paperwork required. This process normally takes 3-4 working days to accomplish. Feel free to contact us.

Where to stay in Mgahinga National Park

There is only one established Lodge in Mgahinga National Park is a high-end property called Gahinga Lodge. Other Lodges and hotels are in the nearby Kisoro town. Film Crew Fixers through Encounter Africa Safaris will negotiate favorable rates in any Lodge or hotel of your choice.

Getting to Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park can be accessed by road and Air.  It is about a 9-10 hours drive from Entebbe International Airport to Mgahinga National Park. With Uganda-Rwanda land borders open, one can fly into Kigali and drive to Mgahinga National Park via Chanika border. The drive from Kigali to Mgahinga National Park is about 5-6 hours making it the shortest option. For those who prefer flying to and from Mgahinga National Park, there is an option of scheduled and charter flights. It is possible to fly from Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro and then transfer by road to Mgahinga National Park. All transfers and movements are done in 4×4 Vans and Land Cruisers where crew and equipment are transported. Depending on your budget and interest, we will assign you a 4×4 Van or Land cruiser driven by a professional driver.

About Film Crew Fixers

Film Crew Fixers is undoubtedly Africa’s trusted Fixer Service Agency for the Entire East and Central Africa. Our boundaries cover Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somaliland, Sudan, and Zambia. We have worked with the most credible production and televisions in the world. Our Portfolio speaks volumes. When contacted, our Producers and fixers will assist you with filming permits, location scouting, kit customs clearing, drone permissions, transport, and accommodation arrangements.