Filming Chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest

Filming chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest is one of the main activities to do in Kalinzu forest asides chimpanzee trekking, Forest walks, birding, research, and mammal viewing. Eco Adventure Safaris will help arrange for you all what is required for a successful shoot of Chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest. Visiting the beautiful chimpanzees in their natural habitat in Kalinzu forest is one of the breathtaking things to do in Uganda. Chimpanzee trekking refers to visiting the forest to see the beautiful chimpanzees as they go about their daily lives.  The trekking starts early morning at the Park headquarters in Kalinzu forest with a briefing about the dos and don’ts to follow while on guided walk to see the chimps upon presentation of the permits. You later start the walk into the forest guided by park guides and armed rangers who ensure your safety, once you find the chimpanzees, you will then be allowed to only one hour of viewing and photographing these amazing creatures. Only persons above 12 years are eligible to trek the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest and other chimpanzee destinations in Uganda.

Kalinzu Forest is found adjacent to the famous Queen Elizabeth National park and Maramagambo forest in Bushenyi district Western Uganda. The Forest has about 414 Species of trees, it harbors 378 Species of Birds, six different species of Primates, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, and Chimpanzees, 262 Butterflies, 97 Moths, Reptiles, and Flowers. There are about 200 chimpanzees found in Kalinzu forest and are the main attraction with over 70 habituated chimps for trekking every day by visitors, these stay into two communities. Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu forest is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forestry Authority. The forest is safe, there are combined efforts for the protection and conservation of nature.

Best time for filming chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest?

Filming chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for chimpanzees to trek in the Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the chimpanzees offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetation grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact chimpanzees don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Filming chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the Chimpanzees.

Requirements to film chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest

You will need to get a filming permit from the National Forest Authority (NFA) to enable you to film chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest, on top of this you will also need media cards from Uganda Media Council which authorizes you to do any filming work in Uganda. Then for your filming equipment will also need to be cleared with customs at the Point of Entry in Uganda. Contact us here we will be able to process both the filming permissions with Local Authorities, Uganda Media cards, Accommodation, transportation for you as well guide and help you with clearance processes at the point of entry into Uganda for a successful shoot of chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest

You will need to cover Press accreditation, accommodation, transport, and others for a successful shoot as below;

Press Accreditation

All film crew members are by law supposed to be accredited by Uganda Media Council. Once this process is completed, each crew member will be given a media card which costs USD175.00 for 30 days filming and USD225.00 for up to 60 days filming. Each crew member is required to fill Form G (which we normally send to you) 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. 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. We will attach this letter to all details provided and send them to Uganda Media Council for Media card processing. This takes 2-3 working days to have these media cards ready.

Visa Advice

You will need to purchase a tourist visa. Many film crews prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Uganda and this is the best option only available by paying either USD50.00 for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately.

Vehicle Hire Services

Eco Adventure Safaris organizes transport for film crews depending on their interest, budget and the nature of roads in such selected locations. For rough terrains, like in National Parks, we recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers which costs from USD200-250 per vehicle per day with Driver/Fixer or 4×4 Safari Vans from USD200 per Van per day with driver/Fixer. For us to estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to establish mileage and distance to be traveled. We also organize both charter and schedule air transport for those that need to fly in order to reduce on the number of hours.

Fixers in Uganda to help you film chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest

All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Uganda and are thus conversant with the local situations and are able to provide relevant information and fix any situation on the ground. These act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location in Uganda.

What is the cost of chimpanzee trekking permits in Kalinzu Forest?

Comparing with other chimp destinations in Uganda, Chimpanzee permits in Kalinzu forest are cost cheaply, the Chimpanzee trekking permits in Kalinzu cost USD50 per person, the cost is inclusive of forest entrance fees and guiding fees for the day. The permits are secured from National forest Authority governing body for all forest reserves in Uganda. Contact us to secure for you the permits and plan your chimpanzee trekking trip to Kalinzu forest.

How to book the chimpanzee permits for Kalinzu forest?

You will be required to book and secure your permit to confirm a spot to spend time filming the chimpanzees in the Kalinzu forest. The process of booking the chimpanzee permits is very easy with Eco Adventure Safaris throughout the year, Once you send contact us here about your interest to trek the chimps and your preferred travel dates, We shall check the availability of permits and confirm if permits are there or even advise a change of dates to get the permits, We shall then send you a permit payment invoice where you can opt to make payment by Credit bank or by Bank. Once we receive Payment we shall secure your permits and send you a copy of the scanned receipt for your records and Perusal.

Where to stay in Kalinzu forest during filming chimpanzees

Kalinzu forest is still informal with accommodation with only a do-it- yourself Camping Site at the Forest Station at Nkombe. We organize our visitors stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park as there are many choices to choose from, the lodges range from budget to Luxury, and we can book depending on your budget. Some of the lodge recommendations are Elephant Hab Lodge, Buffalo safari lodge, Mweya safari lodge, Katara safari lodge, Kyambura gorge lodge and many others. Visitors can also seek modest accommodation in Bushenyi/Ishaka Townships which is very close to Kalinzu forest.

How to get to Kalinzu Forest to film chimpanzees

By road; Kalinzu forest can be accessed by road as it only 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe. The road trip takes you through the beautiful scenery of western Uganda, the plantations and the hospitable Uganda people. Our road trips start early morning at 8:00am to beat off traffic and arrive in the afternoon at your booked hotel/camp/lodge.

By air; You can as well fly to Kasese Airstrip which is very close to Kalinzu forest with in 2hours and less tiring than a road trip. There are daily domestic flights to Kasese Airstrips in Queen Elizabeth national park, Aerolink Uganda operates Morning and afternoon flights to Kasese Airstrip from Entebbe international Airport, considering your itinerary you can opt for chattered or scheduled flights to see the chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest.

Why use Eco Adventure Safaris to film Chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest

Eco Adventure Safaris is a local fixer company, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Uganda and East Africa as a whole for any filming assistance needed including filming chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest. 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 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 to film chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest.