Filming Mountain Gorillas

Filming Mountain Gorillas and Documentary Making in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo

Filming Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda is an adventure of visiting gorilla parks and take videos and photos of the gorillas for documentary purposes. In this case, a documentary is a film or television program that is educational and tells a true story about mountain gorillas. This involves capturing every moment of the gorilla behavior, characters and lifestyles.

To film Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, you should one of the Gorilla National Parks which include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south western Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in the north of Rwanda or Virunga National Park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. No any other place in the world apart from the above mentioned where you can find these primates and film or document them.

Filming mountain gorillas is possible when one has required papers to do so. At Gorilla Trekking Services, we help any film crew in processing gorilla filming permissions for any gorilla park in Africa. We aid in securing gorilla filming permits and contract from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a body in charge of all National Park in Uganda, and OTRPN or Rwanda Development Board for Rwanda gorilla filming license from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and a similar permission with Virunga National Park in Congo.

Requirements for Filming Mountain Gorillas

To film mountain gorillas, there are logistical requirements that must be present for successful and meaningful filming. A charge equal to 40% of the activity fee plus 10% as a monitoring fee applies to Uganda. And any people planning to film mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park will have to pay the ordinary gorilla permit fees of USD 800 per person to film for one hour) plus an addition of 40% of the permit price. In addition to this, one is required to pay a group charge of 10% as monitoring fees.

Another option of filming mountain gorillas is taking advantage of the gorilla habituation experience and be able to film gorillas for four hours. In this case a gorilla habituation experience permit costs USD 1500 per person. Under this concept, visitors stay longer with mountain gorillas which enjoying a selected with a few people. Gorilla habituation experience guests are limited to four in number.  Other the hand, filming mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or the Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo require somehow different paperwork that can be processed.

The fees for filming gorillas in Uganda is paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority. UWA then provides a practical working arrangement or a memorandum of understanding between it and the filming firm to guiding the filming adventure in the jingle. When all the filming costs are summed together, there will be another 5% surcharge to take care of the environmental impacts on the park.

One of the Gorilla Trekking Services roles is to process permits for filming gorillas and contracts for Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo for clients. Always what we require from the filming agency is the information regarding the number of days, filming dates plus number of persons in the filming entourage. Then we shall proceed to work out a contract to permit gorilla filming. Working on a filming contract may take like 7 days to process and therefore, an inquiry in advance is very essential to allow proper arrangements.

At our gorilla company, we cater for all the logistical requirements including, transportation, scouting, processing filming permits, media accreditation, identifying professional guides plus accommodation among others.

Gorilla Trekking Rules and regulations you must follow while filming mountain gorillas

Filming mountain gorillas requires strict adherence to rules and regulations to protect these endangered animals and ensure their natural habitat is not disturbed. Below are key rules and guidelines you must follow during gorilla trekking and filming:

Health and Hygiene

  1. Keep a Safe Distance: Maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters (21 feet) from the gorillas to reduce stress on them and avoid disease transmission.
  2. Health Screening: Visitors and crew must be free from infectious illnesses, such as colds or flu, as gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases.
  3. Masks: You may be required to wear a mask to minimize the risk of transmitting airborne diseases.

Behavior around Gorillas

  1. No Direct Interaction: Do not attempt to touch or approach gorillas closer than allowed, even if they move toward you.
  2. Stay quiet and calm: Avoid loud noises or sudden movements that may startle or stress the gorillas.
  3. No Eating or Drinking: Consuming food or drinks near gorillas is prohibited to prevent contamination of their environment.

Filming Guidelines

  1. Minimize Equipment Noise: Use silent filming equipment or ensure your devices operate as quietly as possible.
  2. Light Restrictions: Avoid using bright lights, flash photography, or reflective equipment, as this can disturb the gorillas.
  3. Limit Crew Size: Keep the number of people on the filming crew minimal to reduce impact on the gorillas and their habitat.

Environmental Conservation

  1. Follow Trails: Stay on designated paths to avoid damaging vegetation and disrupting the gorillas’ habitat.
  2. No Littering: Ensure all waste is collected and removed from the site.
  3. Avoid Harassment: Do not try to provoke gorillas into specific actions for the sake of filming. Capture their behavior naturally.

Time and Group Limits

  1. Limit Interaction Time: You are typically allowed a maximum of one hour with the gorillas to minimize their exposure to humans.
  2. Small Groups: Gorilla trekking groups are usually limited to 8 people, including guides and crew, to minimize disturbance.

Guided Trekking

  1. Follow Your Guide’s Instructions: Always listen to and follow the directions of your guide or park ranger, as they are experienced in gorilla behavior and safety protocols.
  2. Emergency Protocols: Be prepared to follow emergency measures in case of an aggressive gorilla encounter or other unforeseen situations.

Permits and Legal Compliance

  1. Secure a Filming Permit: Obtain all necessary permits for filming gorillas in protected areas, as these are often required by authorities in countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  2. Adhere to Park Rules: Respect all rules set by the national park or conservation authority where the filming occurs.

By following these rules, you help ensure the safety and well-being of mountain gorillas while contributing to their conservation.

The 3 Activities to Access Mountain Gorillas in the wild

Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking, a highlight of wildlife tourism in East and Central Africa, involves guided hikes into the lush forests of countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. This activity allows visitors to spend an hour with a gorilla family, witnessing their behavior and interactions up close. Led by expert guides and trackers, the experience combines adventure with conservation, as fees contribute directly to gorilla protection efforts. The trek itself, often through challenging terrain, adds an adventurous dimension, rewarding participants with the rare opportunity to connect with these gentle giants.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

The gorilla habituation experience offers a more immersive and extended encounter compared to standard trekking. This unique activity, typically available only in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, allows visitors to join researchers and conservationists for up to four hours as they work to accustom wild gorillas to human presence. The process is essential for long-term conservation, enabling scientists to monitor and protect gorilla populations effectively. Visitors not only observe but also participate in data collection and learn about gorilla behavior, ecology, and the challenges of conservation. The longer interaction time provides a deeper understanding of the gorillas’ social structures and habits.

Gorilla Filming

Filming mountain gorillas is a specialized activity that requires special permits and strict adherence to conservation guidelines. Filmmakers, documentarians, and researchers work closely with wildlife authorities to ensure minimal disruption to the gorillas and their habitats. The process often involves months of preparation, including scouting locations and understanding the gorillas’ movements. Filming contributes to raising awareness about the plight of mountain gorillas and the importance of protecting their environments. High-quality documentaries and films can inspire global conservation efforts and generate funding for the continued survival of these endangered primates.