Uganda is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population and is the only place where you can take part in gorilla habituation. This gives you a chance to be with mountain gorillas for four hours in their natural home.
Gorilla filming in Uganda can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks offer photographers, filmmakers, and people making documentaries a good chance to film mountain gorillas.
Before starting a gorilla filming safari in Uganda, it is important to know that flash cameras are not allowed. Flash can disturb the gorillas and make them feel unsafe. You should use a camera without flash or turn off the flash while filming.
Filming mountain gorillas in Uganda also helps raise awareness about their protection, and it promotes Uganda as a tourist destination. All professional photographers, journalists, or crew members coming for gorilla filming must clear their equipment and media cards at Entebbe International Airport.
Gorilla filming can take between 2 to 8 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas, how fast the crew moves, or the number of hours you have paid for.
Gorilla filming permits in Uganda
Commercial gorilla filming permits in Uganda cost $4,200 per hour. After filming, you can receive a $100 refund if you give a copy of your video to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This copy can help market Uganda’s mountain gorillas. Filming permits can be obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator. It is advised to book the permits at least six months before your trip.
Porters are available to help filmmakers carry their equipment, which is useful because it can be tiring to carry everything while also filming, especially since the gorillas are always moving.
