Filming in Kabarole.

Filming in Kabarole. Kabarole is a District located in Western Uganda. The dominant tribe in Kabarole is the Batooro, who are the traditional people of this land. Kabarole has a population of approximately 400,000, with most rural peasants practicing subsistence agriculture. There is a growing middle class in Fort Portal town (the district center). There are several areas of national park in Kabarole district, and the beautiful scenery and wildlife attracts significant numbers of tourist photographers annually to this area of Uganda.

Filming Locations in Kabarole.

Film the Amabere Caves:

Known as the Amabere Caves or Nyakasura Caves due to their location near Nyakasura Falls, these geological formations are situated approximately five miles from Fort Portal along the Bundibugyo Road. Despite not being traditional caves, they are more like expansive overhangs. The name, “Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru,” translates to “Breasts of Nyinamwiru.” Legend has it that Nyinamwiru, the daughter of a local usurper king, had her breasts removed in an attempt to make herself less attractive to suitors. When this plan failed, King Bukuku of Toro concealed her in these caves. Nyinamwiru later gave birth to a son, Ndahura, with the Batembuzi King Isaza. Unable to breastfeed her child, she used the stalactites’ milky appearance, resulting from calcium content, to nourish him. Ndahura went on to fulfill a prophecy, becoming a great empire’s ruler in the Great Lakes area of Africa. To fully experience these caves, consider including them in an extended walk through the area, which can also encompass the nearby Amabere Falls and three local crater lakes. While there, you can stand behind the waterfall for a unique experience and even take a dip in the cold but invigorating pool, often surrounded by colobus monkeys.

Film Semuliki National Park:

Semuliki National Park distinguishes itself among Uganda’s national parks by focusing primarily on birds and hot springs, rather than boasting a wealth of traditional wildlife. Nestled next to the Semuliki and Lamia rivers, the park lies on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To its north, it’s bordered by Lake Albert, while the stunning Ruwenzori Mountains grace its southeast. Located about 150 miles from Kampala and covering an area of 220 square kilometers, the park hosts 442 bird species, 53 mammals, and some intriguing inhabitants, including Goliath and Rhinoceros beetles, some of which measure up to four inches in length. Additional attractions within the park include a Pygmy village and the hot springs at Sempaya, located in the Semliki River Valley near Bundibugyo town. Notably, the area features a hot water geyser emerging from an eight-meter-wide hole—the largest of its kind in Uganda. While exploring Semuliki National Park, don’t miss the Mungilo Waterfall, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, and bird watching. Managed by the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, this relatively new park, designated in 1993, is home to around 100 Batwa people who rely on the forest for sustenance, herbal medicines, and construction materials.

Film Ruwenzori Mountains National Park:

Designated in 1991 and later achieving World Heritage site status in 1994, Ruwenzori Mountains National Park was established to protect the highest sections of the Ruwenzori mountain range. The park encompasses most of the central and eastern portions of these majestic mountains, covering an area of about 384 square miles. Home to over seventy mammal species and 217 bird species, Ruwenzori Mountains National Park is renowned for its breathtaking views and stands as a world-class destination for hiking and mountaineering enthusiasts. Those embarking on extended journeys in the mountains will find a scattering of established campsites, including the John Matte Camp.

Located approximately 200 miles west of Kampala, the park was designated in 1993. It is home to around seventy mammal species and boasts an impressive 375 bird species, including the White-spotted Flufftail, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Western Nicator, Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Superb Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, Black Bishop, White-breasted Negrofinch, and Black-crowned Waxbill, among others.

One of the park’s primary attractions is its chimpanzee tracking experience along the Kanyanchu Primate Walk, where visitors can observe 13 species of chimpanzees engaging in their daily routines. The inhabitants of the Kibale Forest National Park region mainly consist of Batoro and Bakiga, with the Batoro being native to the area and later joined by incoming Bakiga from southwestern Uganda. The park is divided into seven zones for management purposes: research, natural reserve, civic-cultural, recreation, harvest, community, and protection, with an emphasis on conservation. Numerous lodging options are available in the park, including safari lodges that, while sometimes pricey, enhance your stay by minimizing daily travel from towns like Fort Portal, located over 20 miles to the north. For more information on Kibale Forest National Park, its points of interest, or accommodations, feel free to contact us via our contact form.

Film Bigodi Sanctuary Wetland:

Bigodi is a community-based organization founded with the aim of improving the living conditions of lower-class families in Bigodi village and surrounding communities. Established in 2016 by four individuals trained by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development, the organization initially identified an unregulated community walk and sought to provide authenticity while simultaneously supporting the community. This endeavor involved distributing scholastic materials, enhancing households, and creating employment opportunities for community guides and demonstrators.

The Bigodi Wetland Community Walk (BICOWA) is located six kilometers from Kibale Forest National Park and thirty kilometers from Fort Portal town. By visiting Bigodi, you contribute directly to the community, reinforcing the importance of conserving the nearby Kibale Forest National Park, a crucial habitat for chimpanzees.

Bigodi offers visitors the chance to see six different primate species during their walk, along with over 160 bird species, butterflies, and more. Fort Portal can be visited year-round, as it boasts a favorable climate throughout the year, making it an ideal destination regardless of the season. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, nature lover, or cultural enthusiast, Fort Portal and its surroundings offer an array of attractions and experiences to satisfy your wanderlust. From caves and waterfalls to royal sites, tea plantations, and guided walks around crater lakes, this vibrant town has something to captivate every traveler. With a plethora of accommodation options and a variety of dining choices, including international and local cuisine, Fort Portal ensures a memorable and comfortable stay. Dive into the town’s bustling nightlife, explore daily markets, or embark on unforgettable adventures to nearby destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Note: If you have additional information or insights about tourist attractions in Fort Portal, please feel free to contact us using our contact form.

Fishing on Lake Albert:

Discover the Ntoroko section of Lake Albert, situated in Fort Portal. Lake Albert was christened in 1864 by European explorers Samuel Baker and Sass Flora, who dedicated it to the memory of Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert, who had passed away three years prior. For a brief period, President Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga of the Congo renamed it Lake Mobutu Sese Seko. However, it eventually reverted to its widely recognized name. Lake Albert stands as Africa’s seventh-largest lake, stretching approximately 100 miles

Filming Fort Portal Referral Hospital.

Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital is commonly known as Fort Portal Hospital, sometimes referred to as Buhinga Hospital, it is located in the town of Fort Portal in Kabarole District, Western Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kasese, Ntoroko and Kyenjojo.

Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital is a public hospital funded and managed by the Uganda Ministry of Health and general care in the hospital is free. The hospital is one of the thirteen “Regional Referral Hospitals” in Uganda it has a bed capacity of over 330 beds but admits more patients than the required number due to high demand in the western region, this is as well common for many Uganda government hospitals given the fact they offer free care to the sick where they are located. The hospital offers services in most medical and surgical subspecialties including dentistry, emergency medicine, pediatrics and intensive care among others. Are you a producer or filming company and you have a project of filming in Kabarole.

Necessary requirements to film in Kabarole.                                                    

Filming in Kabarole. It will require you to get a filming permit when filming in locations and these permits are issued by the respective authorities and management. For one to film in the national parks, you will need to get permission from Uganda wildlife authority.  In order to get a Filming Permit, one must write a letter requesting the permit and fill out an application form which is accompanied by a copy of the screenplay, a story synopsis, and a shooting schedule. These are then sent to the respective authorities. Contact us at Eco film fixers we will help you process the filming permissions with the Local Authorities for you to successfully  participate in  filming  in Kabarole.

Media Accreditation.

All members of the crew are supposed to be accredited by the Uganda media council to be able to film In the country. Media accreditation is a must for all applications to make feature films or documentaries. Each crew member is required to fill Form G with all details, scan and send it back to us with a copy of his/her passport as well as one photograph to be put on his/her media card and work IDs. On top of this, we will need a letter from the filming company detailing who they are, why they are filming, where they will be filming and details of crew members on this shoot. Crew members will also be required to seek for letters of Good conduct from Interpol (it’s a must have). We will attach this to all details provided and send them to Uganda Media Council for Media card processing and follow it up. This takes about 2-3 working days.

Custom clearing.

Uganda is not a member of the Carnet Free Systems Unions, so Carnet’s are not valid. The only process to get your equipment in and out of Uganda is through a bonded Agent. A comprehensive list of equipment and value needs to be submitted to URA through a bonded clearing agent for the issuance of a Temporary Import Permit (TIP). A fee equivalent to 10% percentage of the value of the equipment is payable. This fee is non-refundable but will guarantee you safe entry and exist with your equipment. We are able to handle clearing for you as we have a trusted bond agent. On the other hand, you can choose to source gear and equipment from the country to avoid the hustle of clearing. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Kabarole.

Visa Advice.

In case of visas, we advise you to get a tourist or business visa. Both can work well. Most film crews prefer getting their vsas before coming to Uganda and this can be done online. On the other hand visas can also be easily obtained on arrival.

Vehicle Hire Services.

Eco film fixers will help you organize transport for film crews to film in Uganda. The transportation services all depend on your interest, the nature of the roads and the schedule. For us to have a final estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to have an established mileage and distance to be traveled. We also organize both charter and scheduled air transport for those that are interested in flying to reduce the number of hours. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Kabarole.

Accommodation when filming in Kabarole.

When filming in Kabarole, you have a range of accommodation options to choose from ranging from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose which lodges to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Kabarole.

Why you should use Eco film fixers to Film in Kabarole.

Eco film fixers is film Fixing Company based in Uganda, we pride ourselves we assist filming companies and Production agencies that are interested in filming in East Africa. We are very capable in handling all fixer services required. our team of local fixers and driver guides is very professional .over the years, we have been able to get all relevant connections with other service providers and authority agencies to make sure that accreditation and filming permits are easily processed. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Kabarole.