What to film in Rwanda.

What to film in Rwanda. Rwanda is a small but yet interesting film location in East Africa. Filming opportunities in Rwanda ranges from Cultural experience to game & wildlife Filming in Her key national parks; Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes National Park. However, it is important to remember that individuals or production companies with the intention to Film anything in Rwanda must primarily first ensure they have all the relevant permits & permission prior to the beginning of the shoot. Eco Film Fixer can assist you to ensure all Rwanda filming permits & permissions. Browse our list of top things to film and if you don’t find what you are looking for don’t hesitate to contact us for the in-depth practical advice .We are Rwanda’s top local film crew fixer something that comes with experience in fixing for quite number of reputable film & media companies.

What to film in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Chimpanzees

Nyungwe Forest National Park chimpanzee population is second highest in Africa after Kibale Forest National Park filming in this park will give you an opportunity to shoot chimpanzees in large groups as they swing in trees and mother chimps cuddling the baby chimps. For you to film Chimpanzees at this par you will need to secure a chimpanzee permit from Rwanda Development Board on top of covering other requirements for filming in Rwanda.

Birds in Nyungwe Forest

Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the best places to film birds in Africa the park is home to over 300 bird species including 29 Albertine endemic species, these include the Great Blue Turaco, Red-Breasted Sparrow Hawk, White Headed Wood Hoopoe, the Re-Throated Alethe, the Paradise Flycatcher and the Gigantic Forest Hornbill, Green Pigeons, Ross’s Turaco, Francolin, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-Faced Woodland Warbler, the purple breasted and the blue headed sunbird, the Rockefeller’s Sunbird, Ruwenzori Batis, Stripe-Breasted Tit, Collared Apalis, Mountain Masked Apalis and the Regal Sunbird.

What to film in Volcanoes National Park.

Mountain Gorillas and Other Primates

Mountain Gorillas are the prime primates to film in Volcanoes National Park other primates include Golden monkeys and various species of monkeys. For you to film Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park you will need to secure a gorilla permit which costs $1500 per person from the Rwanda Development Board and process other Rwanda filming requirements.

Dian Fossey Tomb

Dian Fossey was the lead person in the conservation and sustainability of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and the Virunga ranges. She dedicated her life to their protection and conservation including her study about the mountain gorillas which took place at Karisoke Research centre which lasted for 18 years. She was mysteriously murdered in 1985 and later buried next to Digit her favorite gorilla friend in Volcaones National Park. The gorilla grave yard has about 20 gorillas buried here that were killed either by poachers or by natural causes making it a great place to film Dian Fossey legacy towards her conservation story of the now endangered mountain gorillas.

Birds

Volcanoes national park is one of the 3 Important Birding Areas (IBA) in Rwanda with the rare Albertine rift endemics. The park is home to about 165 species of birds including 17 endemics.

Musanze Caves

Musanze caves where formed due to volcanic eruption which formed an underground space large enough for humans to enter. Musanze Caves are over 1 million years old believed to have been formed during the creation of the Volcanoes in the area. The molten rock moving underneath left behind tunnels which formed a cave.

Virunga Volcanic Mountains

The Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda’s part of the Virunga mountain ranges it is home to five volcanoes namely Mountains Muhavura, Gahinga, Sabinyo, Bisoke, and Karisimbi. Great for filming Landscapes and craters on top of the Volcanoes

What to film in Akagera National Park

Wildlife

Akagera National Park is home to a variety of animals to film these include all the Big 5 animals (buffaloes, leopard, elephants, lions and rhinoceros) making Akagera one of the best places in East Africa to film the Big 5 animals. Other notable Savannah animals to film in this park include the Topi, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, eland, zebra, serval cats, duiker, impala, black masked civet, reedbuck, hyena, waterbuck, mongoose bush pigs, giraffe, side-stripped jackal, Klipspringer, Sitatungas, Antelopes and roan antelope. Among the primate species include vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons and bush-babies.

Filming the Rwandan Culture and Traditions in Rwanda

Filming the Rwandan Culture and Traditions in Rwanda, Rwanda is home to amazing culture and traditions. Here below are the major Rwandan Culture and Traditions for those interested in filming the local and traditional lifestyles, activities, local dances and artifacts of Rwanda.

Amasunzu

Amasunzu is a traditional Rwandan hairstyle that was once worn by men and women in the past. A person who had this hairstyle was identified as powerful, noble, prestigious and brave.

Intore Dancing

The Intore dancing is great at displaying Rwanda’s dynamic traditional musical and dance styles. It is performed wearing grass wigs and clutching spears making it a true spectacle of Rwanda. Live dance performances can be filmed at cultural villages, museums and as entertainment at many lodges and hotels across Rwanda. The Gorilla Guardians village in Musanze, and the National Museum of Rwanda have regular performances for filming the Intore Dancing. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know on What to film in Rwanda.

Press Accreditation to film in Rwanda.

Besides acquiring the mandatory Rwanda Filming Permit, all film Crew members MUST have Press Accreditation from the Rwanda Media High Council.

How to apply for Press Accreditation in Rwanda.

Fill in the Rwanda Press Accreditation Application Form here and also attach the following;

1. Official letter requesting for accreditation addressed to the Executive Secretary;
2. Two (2) colored passport size photographs.
3. A copy of the passport.
4. A copy of the visa except for journalists from countries that benefit from the visa waiver e.g. journalists from the East African Community Member States, United States of America, COMESA Member states, etc.;
5. A copy of a press card from your country of origin.
6. A receipt of payment from Rwanda Revenue Authority.
7. List of Filming Equipment & Kits to be used for your shoot.

Press Accreditation Fees in Rwanda.

A foreign Journalist requesting an accreditation card shall pay as follows to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RAA)

• -USD30 press Accreditation card valid 01-15 days.
• -USD50press Accreditation card valid 15days-01 months/30 Days.
• -USD100 press Accreditation card valid 01-03 months.
• -USD200 press Accreditation card valid 03-06 months.
• -USD300press Accreditation card valid 06months-01 year/12Months.

*The rates mentioned above should only be treated as a guide-as they can change from time to time.

Why use Eco film fixers to film in Rwanda.

Eco film fixers is a local fixer company, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Uganda and East Africa as a whole we have done this 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 in Rwanda 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 when to film and What to film in Rwanda.