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Filming in Kenya is best known as one of the top places in Africa for wildlife safari viewing for safari photography trip filming in Kenya. But what many photographers and filmmakers do not know is that it is also one of the world’s best bird-watching spots and destinations. The country has over 1000 recorded bird species including a wide variety of species endemic to Kenya. National Parks are some of the best places for bird photography and filming in Kenya where you will also have an opportunity to see various wildlife including all the big five animals depending on where you choose to film the birds. Here are the best places for a bird photography trip and filming birds in Kenya. Eco Adventure Safaris
Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru is one of the beautiful national parks in Kenya; with its alkaline lake home to the pink flamingos. Best place in the world to film the pink flamingos.
Tana Primate National Reserve
The Tana River National Primate Reserve was gazetted in 1976 to protect the lower Tana riverine forests and the two highly endangered primates, the mangabey and the Tana River red colobus which are endemic to this reserve and only found here in Kenya. The reserve is as well home to over 300 bird species. The reserve is accessible via the Malindi-Garissa road it is located 250km north of Mombasa on the Malindi to Garissa road.
Kakamega National Reserve
Kakamega National Reserve is where Kakamega Forest is found, another best place to film primates in Kenya. The forest lies in the Lake Victoria catchment about 50km north of Kisumu and just west of the Nandi Escarpment. The forest is home various species of birds as well as to black and white colobus monkeys, flying squirrels, blue monkeys and pottos, the world’s slowest mammal. The forest is also home to the endangered De Brazza’s monkey.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Mara is one of the finest wildlife destinations in the world. The reserve offers excellent chances of filming birds with over 400 bird species recorded and other wildlife including the great migration which happens every year in July were over 1.5 million wildebeests along with large numbers of Zebras and Thompson’s gazelle, migrate from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to search for fresh pastures in the Masai Mara before going back in October. You will have a chance to film lions and cheetahs as they hunt during the migration.
Tsavo National Park
Tsavo National Park is the largest National Park in Kenya it was established in 1948 and it is commonly known as the Theatre of the wild. The Park is divided into East and west intersected by the Nairobi to Mombasa railway and road. The park has interesting and diverse habitats, wildlife and Scenic Mountain landscapes. The park has a prolific birdlife with 600 recorded bird species making it one of the places for a bird photography trip and filming birds in Kenya
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National park is home to over 400 bird species it is surrounded by the Kilimanjaro Mountains, offering amazing scenery and landscape with a backdrop of Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Requirements for safari photography trip in Kenya
You need to get a filming permit from Kenya Film Commission for you to be allowed for safari photography trip in Kenya. In order to obtain a Filming Permit, one must write a letter requesting for the filming permit and fill an application form which must be accompanied by a copy of the screenplay, a story synopsis and a shooting schedule. These should be sent to the Film Licensing Officer, Kenya Film Commission. Filming permit for features, documentaries, short films, music videos, corporate videos and commercials are issued within minutes of application. Applications for TV Series and full length feature films are processed in less than 48 hours (2 to 3 days) of application. Contact us here we will be able to help you process the filming permissions with the Local Authorities in Kenya.
Filming fees and costs to film birds in Kenya
The following charges are applied for filming birds in Kenya:
• Ksh. 8, 000 ($80) for five (5) people for one (1) week or part thereof.
• Ksh. 12, 000 ($115) for six (6) – ten (10) people for one (1) week or part thereof.
• Ksh. 20, 000 ($200) for more than ten (10) people for one (1) week or part thereof.
Kenya Filming Fees
Filming rates
- Adverts, documentaries, dramas, short features; still photographs KSHS 5,000 ($50)
- Full-length feature films, TV series KSHS 15,000 ($150)
- Daily filming fees KSHS 1,000 ($10)
Liaison Officer’s service charges
The Ministry charges Ksh. 400 ($5) per day to cover Liaison Officer’s services provided by a government Liaison Officer to be attached to the crew.
Other charges
- Each visitor is required to pay Ksh. 2,000 ($20) to the Immigration Department for a special pass before engaging in any film shooting. The crew may however, arrive in Kenya on a visitor’s pass while the filming special pass is being processed. We recommend you travel after all the filming paper work has been arranged to avoid inconveniences.
- For all filming equipment, a nominal non-refundable fee of 1% of the value of the equipment or Ksh 30,000 ($300) whichever is less is payable to the Customs Department on presentation of a film license.
Kenya Visa Advice
You will need to purchase the tourist visa. Many film crews prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Kenya but visa’s can be obtained easily upon arrival at any entry point and in this case Nairobi International Airport upon paying either USD51.00 for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately.
Kenya Vehicle Hire Services
Film Crew Fixers Uganda will help you organize transport for film crews to film birds in Kenya depending on their chosen filming location interest, budget and the nature of roads in such selected locations to film in the park. 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 travelled.
Fixers in Kenya to help you film birds in Kenya
All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Kenya and are thus conversant with the local situations and are able to provide relevant information and fix any situation on ground. These act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location in Kenya.
Where to stay during safari photography trip in Kenya
Lodge options to stay in during filming birds in Kenya range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Contact us here for details.
What is the best time to film birds in Kenya?
Filming birds in Kenya is done throughout the year and the best time is during the wet months of April and May and Late October to November which is relatively offers great sightings and easy shoots.
Why use Eco Adventure Safaris to film in Kenya
Eco Adventure Safaris is a local fixer company based in Uganda, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Uganda and East Africa. 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 in Kenya are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming in Kenya.
