Photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania

Best places for a photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania, Tanzania is best known as one of the top places in Africa for wildlife safari viewing. But what many photographs 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 Tanzania. Tanzania has various best places for bird watching photography and filming birds offering you an exciting and rewarding adventure. National Parks are some of the best places for a photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania 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.

Best places to film birds in Tanzania

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is home to over 390 native bird species. The park is also home to various migratory birds from other parts of Africa and Europe. The park is well known for bird species which include waterfowls, pelicans, ducks, flamingos and geese.

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Tanzania covering over approximately 14,750 sq Km. The vegetation in the park ranges from woodlands, grasslands, plains of savannas and forests providing a home to over 500 native species of birds. Birds to note include endangered species like hawks, eagles and kites, other species include Ostriches, bustards, larches and raptors.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to over 300 native species of birds which include herons, bitterns, egrets, hawks, eagles and kites. The vegetation in the conservation area ranges from grassland, woodland, heath, lakes, swamp and dense mountain forest. It also contains Ngorongoro crater the largest inactive volcanic caldera in the world.

Other areas for bird watching, photography and filming in Tanzania include selous game reserve, Arusha National park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Katavi National Park and Mikumi National Park among others.

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Requirements and fees to film birds in Tanzania

You will need to get a filming permit from Tanzania Film Censorship Board for you to be allowed to go for a photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania. Securing a filming permit in Tanzania can be an expensive and time consuming process so make sure to allow plenty of time for us to help you secure the permit for you. The first step is to complete all necessary applications with the help of your Tanzanian production service producer/fixer. The application will be submitted to your local Tanzanian consulate so that they can complete the application. Once that is done you will send the original documents back to your Tanzanian service producer/fixer for finalizing with local Tanzanian authorities.

A regular Tanzania Filming permit costs US$1,000 if you apply 3 months in advance and a last minute Tanzania Filming permit costs US$3,000. Contact us here to help you secure the Tanzania filming permit.

Other permissions and fees for filming birds in Tanzania

Once you have obtained a filming permit for filming in Tanzania, there may be other permissions needed depending on where you want to film birds in Tanzania. Permissions include filming inside the national park or conservation area, drone filming and night filming. Tanzania has many rules and regulations when it comes to filming and therefore it is important to be properly guided through this long bureaucratic process.

Various filming fees apply for filming within Tanzania national parks, wildlife areas and conservation areas. National Parks and conservation areas have specific fees to film crews that change regularly. Contact us here for up to date filming fees to film birds in Tanzania.

On top of the above you will need to cover accommodation, Visas and work permits, fixer fees and transport for a successful shoot as below;

Tanzania Visa and work permit Advice

You will need to purchase the tourist visa. Many film crews prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Tanzania but visas can be obtained easily upon arrival at any entry point in Tanzania upon paying USD100.00 for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately. Proof of yellow fever vaccination and a COVID-19 free certificate may be asked if arriving from affected countries. Visa, work permit and other entry and exit conditions such as customs and quarantine regulations can change regularly. We advise you contact your local Tanzanian embassy or here for the latest travel information to Tanzania.

Tanzania Vehicle Hire Services

Eco Adventure Safaris will help you organize transport for film crews to film birds in Tanzania depending on their 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.

Film Fixers in Tanzania to help in filming birds in Tanzania

All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Tanzania 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 Tanzania. Contact us here if you are in need of a Film fixer in Tanzania.

What is the best time to film birds in Tanzania?

A photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania is done throughout the year and the best time is during the wetter months of March, April, May, September, October and November are usually recommended for filming birds as most birds breed during this time and are more active and vocal this makes spotting and filming them easy.

Why use Eco Adventure Safaris for a photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania

Eco Adventure Safaris is a local fixer company based in Uganda, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Tanzania and East Africa as a whole. 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 about a photography trip and filming birds in Tanzania.