Gorilla Filming Tours in Uganda and Rwanda | Videography, Photos

Explore a complete guide to planning successful mountain gorilla filming tours in Uganda and Rwanda. Get to know the best places to go to film mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, when to go gorilla filming, useful tips, filming permits, accreditations, who should go for gorilla filming, and more.

Gorilla filming tours in Uganda offer a sensational experience to filmmakers/documentarians. Uganda and Rwanda are the best destinations in Africa to visit for an unforgettable gorilla filming adventure.

Each of these countries offers unique gorilla filming experiences, particularly to filmmakers/documentarians interested in capturing unique moments of mountain gorillas in their natural environment.

Participating in the Uganda and Rwanda mountain gorilla filming expedition presents you with a lifetime opportunity not only to witness mountain gorillas but also to capture every live moment in these apes’ natural environment.

Who is allowed to go for gorilla filming in Uganda and Rwanda?

Gorilla filming in Uganda and Rwanda is conducted by only cleared filmmakers or documentarians. Due processes are involved to clear film crews or team/production team before being allowed to visit any National Park to engage in filming mountain gorillas.

Why visit Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla filming tours?

Gorillas in Africa exist in various parts or regions, but Uganda and Rwanda stand out. First, Uganda and Rwanda support the largest number of the remaining mountain gorilla population on the planet.

Strictly, mountain gorillas are available to be filmed in Uganda and Rwanda. These are unique sub-species of the Eastern gorillas which reside in only 3 countries globally, that is Uganda, Rwanda, & Congo.

Rwanda and Uganda are safe and secure gorilla filming destinations compared to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Film crew members can safely walk through the Rwandan and Ugandan jungle while they search for mountain gorillas. With decades of prevailing peace and stability, Uganda and Rwanda are preferred gorilla filming destinations.

Gorilla filming in Uganda Vs Rwanda

Number of gorillas in Uganda Vs Rwanda

While Uganda and Rwanda are both home to endangered mountain gorillas, each holds a certain portion. Over half of the 1063 mountain gorillas reside safely in Uganda, and about a third of them exist in Rwanda.

The advantage is that filmmakers/documentarians have a higher chance of locating a gorilla group/family during filming an adventure.

Gorilla family groups –Uganda Vs Rwanda

Approximately 25 gorilla families are in Uganda, and they are present in the 5 sectors/regions. In Rwanda, gorilla filming excursions can begin from Kinigi and expect to visit any of the 13 habituated families. Each destination promises unique landscapes and great moments for you during the actual gorilla filming experience.

Join the Gorilla Habituation

Uganda offers more than standard gorilla treks or filming experiences outside habituated gorilla groups. The filmmakers or documentarians interested in making documentaries can join the thrilling mountain gorilla habituation as well. This is a 4-hour experience that filmmakers can enjoy, and Uganda is the only country or destination that you can consider visiting.

Unique ecosystem in Uganda Vs Rwanda

Uganda and Rwanda are popular for their breathtaking landscapes, perfect for gorilla filming. In Uganda, you can capture both the scenic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest scenes and the backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes.

In Rwanda, expect unique scenes of the bamboo forest and more. Additional wildlife that reside in Rwanda and Uganda gorilla filming parks are diverse and include golden monkeys (Mgahinga & Volcanoes National Parks), chimpanzees in Bwindi, and many bird species.

Best Places to Visit for Gorilla Filming in Uganda and Rwanda

Wondering about where to go to enjoy gorilla filming in Uganda and Rwanda? The main gorilla filming destinations to explore include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda). Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a must-visit for you to film mountain gorillas.

Gorilla Documentaries & Filming in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla documentaries and filming in Bwindi offer a perfect background of a lush tropical rainforest and massive mountain gorillas. Bwindi sits in the area of 1160 to 2607m in the Kigezi highlands. The general landscape consists of steep and rugged terrains, with about 60% of it straddling an altitude of 2000m.

Each of the 4 sectors in Bwindi (including Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma, & Rushaga) offers tourists a chance to enjoy gorilla filming in Uganda. Bwindi was officially created in 1991 and was later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The present Bwindi National Park occupies a compact area of 331 sq. km and is largely a rainforest with misty valleys.

Gorilla groups present in Rushaga for filming include the Bweza gorilla group, Mishaya, Rwigi, Busingye family, Rwigi, Nshongi, Kahungye, Bikingi, and Mucunguzi gorilla groups.

At Buhoma, the gorilla families to visit include Muyambi group, Rushegura (R-Group), Habinyanja (H-family), Mubare (M-gorilla group), and Katwe.

The gorilla groups to expect to visit for filming in the Ruhija sector include Kyaguriro (Kyaguriro A)-this is designated for research under the Max Planck Institute.

Other Ruhija sector gorilla families include Oruzogo, Mukiza, and Bitukura. The Nkuringo sector features amazing gorilla groups such as the Nkuringo group, Christmas, and Bushaho. All the gorilla groups present in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have their unique composition and leadership.

Other attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, forest elephants, African civets, yellow-backed duikers, and side-striped jackals. Bwindi is also a popular refuge to diverse olive baboons, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and more.

Beyond mammals, Bwindi supports up to 350 bird species, which include the Shelley’s crimson-wing, Grauer’s swamp warblers, & African green broadbill. A total of about 200 colorful butterfly species reside within the scenic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla Filming in Mgahinga

Gorilla filming in Mgahinga is only possible in the Nyakagezi group. This is the only family of mountain gorillas that is present for exploration in Mgahinga National Park. It takes up to 8pax per day and offers exclusive gorilla experiences.

Best Place to Visit for Gorilla Filming in Rwanda

Gorilla Filming Tours in Volcanoes Rwandas

Visit Volcanoes National Park to experience the best of your gorilla filming tour. This park lies in Ruhengeri, Northwestern Rwanda, about a 2-3 hours’ drive. Up to 13 gorilla families are present for tourists to capture documentaries or films in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Cost of Gorilla Filming Uganda & Rwanda

The cost of gorilla filming varies, with Uganda offering more budget-friendly opportunities to filmmakers or documentarians. The permits for filming mountain gorillas in Uganda cost USD 4200 and excludes gorilla permits, each USD 800 per person.

In addition, expect to also pay 5% on gorilla filming cost, which contributes towards the environmental, monitoring, & research impacts.

Accreditation fees shouldn’t be left out and cost USD 175 for a validity of 3 months, and if you want it for a year, you pay USD 225. Validity of accreditation permits for 2 years cost USD 325 per filmmaker, while the special work/pass permits cost USD 400 per person.

Cost of Rwanda gorilla filming

If you are interested in the Rwanda gorilla filming experience, expect to pay USD 5000, and this excludes gorilla permit fees. Each of the Rwanda gorilla permits costs USD 1500 per person, which you can book through Flawless Adventure Planners.

Procedures or Guidelines for Gorilla Filming

A must-have items include the media accreditation which can be got from the media council of the respective gorilla filming destinations.

A declaration of all the filming gear to be used, and this should be done at the Entebbe International Airport/Kigali on arrival/entry into the country.

Stand 10m away from the gorillas as you film the gorillas.

A request letter should be submitted to the respective conservation authority like UWA.

Pack right for your filming excursion, including waterproof hiking boots, insect repellents, bottled drinking water, long-sleeved shirts, and a rain jacket.

The temporary import permit is necessary, and this may come with 10% charge of the value of the gear.

Drones intended to be used on filming gorillas must be approved first by the respective government bodies like Uganda Civil Aviation, CDF, & UWA.

Each gorilla group takes a maximum of 8 filmmakers per day.

Know when to go for gorilla filming tours.

Visit Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla filming tours during the dry season (June to September or December to February). Rwanda and Uganda, being all year-round destinations, you can also consider planning your gorilla filming safaris around the wet or rainy season.

Conclusively, plan and book a gorilla filming tour to Uganda and Rwanda with an expert for long, memorable experiences.

Contact Flawless Adventure Planner Limited for a dream gorilla filming expedition in Bwindi, Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Park.