Filming in Ngogo Chimpanzee research center

Filming in Ngogo Chimpanzee research center. Interested in filming chimpanzees and other primates in Ngogo Research Center? Eco Adventure Safaris is here to assist with chimpanzee filming permits, press accreditation, kit customs clearing, local fixers, transport, visa, and work permits plus accommodation in Kibale forest where Ngogo chimpanzee research project and center are.

There is no Fixer in Africa that has the expertise than us when it comes to organizing services to film in Ngogo Chimpanzee Research Center. We have diligently assisted several Film crews to shoot documentaries some of which are for more than one year.

About Ngogo chimpanzee research project

Ngogo chimpanzee research project is one of the two projects established by the government of Uganda with the help of Donors, ecologists, and conservationists. The government manages the Ngogo research project under Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS). Located in Kibale forest the second largest natural forest in Uganda, Ngogo has not suffered under commercial logging like other parts of the forest.

The history of Ngogo chimpanzee research project dates as far back to 1972 when Thomas Struhsaker of the New York Zoological Society established the Ngogo research area with the main aim of protecting the forest home to the red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and the grey-check mangabeys from forest loggers.

Since then, Ngogo chimpanzee research center has been utilized by Ugandan students and expatriates to study the behaviors of primates which include chimpanzees.  These students are mentored by Struhsaker and of recent David Watts and John Mitan of Yale and Michigan universities, respectively.

About Ngogo Chimpanzee community

Long-term research of the Ngogo chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park, Uganda, was started by John Mitani (University of Michigan) and David Watts (Yale University) in 1995. Kevin Langergraber (Boston University & Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology) joined the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project as a graduate student in 2001 and as a co-director in 2011. The Ngogo chimpanzee community is by far the largest yet described; as of April 2012, it comprised 188 members, including 32 adult males, 13 adolescent males, 58 adult females, 12 adolescent females, 27 juveniles, and 46 infants.

Much research at Ngogo has focused on explaining the ecological reasons for this unusual demographic situation and its influence on chimpanzee behavior. Past and ongoing topics of study include intra- and inter-sexual social relationships and cooperation, kinship and social relationships, mating behavior and reproductive success, hunting and meat sharing, territorial behavior, and feeding ecology. In addition to following the chimpanzees and recording their behavior, researchers at Ngogo also non-invasively collect urine, feces, and other biological materials for endocrinological and genetic analyses, as well as conduct phenological and botanical studies of the forest ecology.

The Ngogo Chimpanzee Project also employs a team of local Ugandans who work alongside local law enforcement officers (Uganda Wildlife Authority) to collect snares and curtail illegal hunting within the park. They also collect fecal samples for an ongoing genetics-based chimpanzee monitoring program which aims to determine the size, composition, number and location of unhabituated chimpanzee communities within the 800 km2 Kibale National Park.

Press Accreditation to film in Ngogo research project

Filming chimpanzees and other primates in Ngogo chimpanzee research center will require media cards, supplies and issued by the Uganda Media council. This is the first step into filming permits to shoot documentaries here. Processing media cards in Uganda takes 2-3 working days with the help of Eco Adventure Safaris Ltd.

How to process Media Creditation to film chimpanzees in Ngogo Research Center

To film chimpanzees at Ngogo Research Center, you need a valid Media card issued by Uganda Media Council. For you to have one, you need the below.

• Download Form G from Uganda Media Council Website, fill it, scan and send it via email
• Colored passport photo should be attached with Form G
• A copy of your passport should is needed
• Certificate of Good conduct from relevant Authorities
• Official letter from your employer signed by the relevant Authority (Director or Producer)

The above should be sent to Uganda medical council who will then process your Media Card allowing you to film chimpanzees at Ngogo Research center. Below are options of Media cards, cost, and duration. Depending on the duration of your shoot, you may choose from the below.

• Media card of up to 30days or one month cost at $175.00 per crew member
• Media card of up to six months cost $225 per crew member.
• Media Card of to two years cost $325 per crew member

Eco Adventure Safaris will assist you in processing your media accreditation by arranging and forwarding all paperwork required. Our vast experience assures you of accreditation in 2-3 working days. Contact us for details.

Processing filming permits for Ngogo chimpanzee research project.

The fact that Ngogo forest is in Kibale forest National Park, filming permissions are got from Uganda Wildlife Authority, a body in charge of wildlife in all Uganda National Parks. Eco Adventure Safaris Uganda welcomes a discussion with you on how many days, people, and dates when shooting will be carried out, so we contact Uganda Wildlife Authority about filming permits and chimpanzee permits for your shoot. Processing and securing Ngogo filming permits take 5-7 working days. Contact us for details.

Kit customs Clearing in Uganda

We help get your filming equipment into the country. Uganda has limited filming equipment and there is a need to bring in your filming gear and cameras. Eco Adventure Safaris through our clearing agent will ensure that your kit enters Uganda without hassle. All we need from you is a list of your equipment, a serial number of each, and value in USD or Pounds. Our clearing agent needs 2-3 working days for the paperwork to be completed. Contact us for details.

How to get to Ngogo chimpanzee research project in Kibale

Road and air can access Kibale National Park, where Ngogo is situated. It’s approximately 5-6 hour’s drive from Kampala to Fortportal onwards to Ngogo and 2 hours flight from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip from where you transfer by road to Ngogo Chimpanzee research project. Eco Adventure Safaris arranges both road transfers and flights on behalf of our clients when contacted.

Where to stay in Kibale National Park

Ngogo Chimpanzee research center is detached from the mainstream tourist area of Kanyanchu and Fortportal where several Lodges have been constructed. Currently, there is no lodge close to Ngogo Research center so all Film Crews plan to shoot here must get in touch with Eco Adventure Safaris to organize for them Camping facilities. Camping grounds are provided and a store for your filming equipment is organized for you. Eco Adventure Safaris has always managed large and long filming projects of up to two years in this area and we have vast experience compared to none.

Water and Electicity power supply

Ngogo Chimpanzee Research Center depends on naturally harvested water and no tap water available. There is no HEP (Hydro Electric Power) at the center. Eco Adventure Safaris we have assisted depend on Solar and Generator for power to charge Cameras as well as for light. For all projects we have handled, we make sure that strong solar panels are available as well as a Generator which depends on Fuel got from Fort Portal town. Ngogo chimpanzee research center has some generators and solar panel but we insist that you plan to hire or buy yours.

Meals and Laundry

As earlier stated, Ngogo Chimpanzee Research Center does not have nearby Hotels and Lodges. Depending on the duration of your shoot, Eco Adventure Safaris will arrange to have catering and laundry services organized for you. Catering services ensures that you have meals prepared for you depending on your dietary requirements as well as someone who will take care of your clothes while at this center. Most food is brought in from Kampala and Fortportal Town.

Getting to Ngogo Research Center

Filming in Ngogo Chimpanzee research center. There are two options for getting to Ngogo Research center, (By road or Air). For starters, Ngogo Research center is located in Kibale National Park in western Uganda. Kibale National Park is about 5-6 hours drive from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. Unlike other parts of Kibale National Park, the road to Ngogo Research Center is not graded. You need strong 4×4 Vehicles to maneuver such rough conditions. The situation becomes worse when it rains. Our Drivers are trained in defensive driving and you will not get any problem. Our vehicles come with facilities that will see you to your location even if you find trees blocking the road.

You can fly or use road transport to Kibale National Park and then Ngogo. If you prefer flying, all flights from Entebbe International Airport land at Kasese Airstrip followed by 2-3 hours drive (road transfer) to Ngogo research center.

Visa and work permit

Apart from having your Media accreditation, you need a valid visa and work permit where necessary to be allowed to enter Uganda. Visa is applied for online. To qualify for a visa in Uganda, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months, you must have a copy of your yellow fever certificate, Covid 19 Vaccination Certificate, and a letter recommending you. Eco Adventure Safaris is glad to inform you that we will assist you in processing your visa. Contact us for details.

Best time to film in Ngogo Chimpanzee research project in Kibale.

Filming in Ngogo Chimpanzee research project can be done throughout the entire year since the weather in Uganda is not all that bad. The best time is the dry months of June, July, August, Mid-September, December, January and, February.

Hiring a local fixer agency

A local fixer agency comes in handy for location scouting, recce, processing filming permits, booking chimpanzee permits, clearing your filming equipment, security, and book your transport and accommodation. Eco Adventure Safaris come in as your reliable and expert local fixer agency with lots of experience in handling pre-production and production fixers services not only in Uganda but across East and Central Africa. We operate offices in Uganda to fix in Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Southern Sudan. Check out our Portfolio for more details.