skip to Main Content

Uganda Wildlife Filming Safaris

Uganda Wildlife Filming Safaris : When it comes to natural resources, Uganda is exceptionally well-endowed. The Pearl of Africa, which is in East Africa’s Great Lakes Region, is home to a vast array of flora and animals that mirror the variety of its ecosystems. Large mountains, rolling hills, freshwater lakes and rivers, swamps, tropical rainforests, and savannahs are all features of Uganda’s topography.

As a result of this diversity of natural habitats, Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Africa’s largest chimpanzee population, more than 340 different species of mammals, and more than 1000 different species of birds.

Thus, Uganda is one of the best locations in Africa for wildlife filming. The Last King of Scotland (2006), Queen of Katwe (2016), and more films have all been filmed in Uganda. However, Uganda’s national parks and game reserves are where you’ll go on a wildlife filming safari to get the best shots of some of the continent’s most infamous wild animals, primates, birds, and plants. Ten national parks and thirteen game reserves may be found throughout Uganda’s several regions, and each one provides a distinctive setting for animal cinematography.

 Top Destinations for Wildlife Filming Tours in Uganda 

 

  WESTERN UGANDA

Since it is home to the majority of Uganda’s safari destinations, western Uganda is the best region to travel to for exhilarating wildlife filming adventures. Here, in south-western Uganda’s Kanungu District, sits Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which is home to half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas. The park is the ideal location for capturing and interacting with great apes in their natural habitat. In addition, the park is home to a stunning, lush tropical rainforest, over 350 different bird species, 310 different butterfly species, a wide range of amphibians and reptiles, as well as other smaller primates including monkeys and baboons.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, known for housing Uganda’s mountain gorillas and the only population of golden monkeys in the nation, is located in the far south-western corner of the Kisoro region. In addition, Mgahinga is home to a variety of Albertine Rift bird species, primates, and other wildlife, making it the ideal location for wildlife movies.

Four of the big five, including the renowned tree-climbing lions, can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the second-largest national park in Uganda. 95 animal species and 612 bird species have been identified as living in this area. Other top wildlife filming locations in Queen Elizabeth include the curious chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, Katwe salt mines, explosion craters, and elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, bushbucks, and Kobs among others in the savannah plains.

The primate capital of the world is located in Kibale Forest National Park, which is surrounded by the most beautiful section of tropical rainforest. The park is home to 13 different primate species, including the biggest population of endangered chimpanzees in East Africa—more than 1500 of them. A wide range of monkey species, olive baboons, amphibians, butterflies, reptiles, and other bird species can also be found in Kibale Forest.

The greatest number of zebras and impalas may be seen at Kiruhura district’s Lake Mburo National Park. In addition, there are several buffalo, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, waterbucks, and klipspringers in the park, along with over 315 different bird species. It is an excellent location for shooting footage of wildlife, birds, and daring excursions like horseback riding.

The largest national park in Uganda, the Magnificent Murchison Falls National Park, offers captivating animal filming opportunities. The park has the highest density of species in addition to the Victoria Nile’s most potent waterfalls. The park’s stunning animal highlights include lions, elephants, warthogs, giraffes, leopards, antelopes, elands, and a variety of birds. It also has over 76 mammal species and 451 bird species. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary houses the critically endangered rhinos, and Budongo Forest is home to a sizable population of chimpanzees. Both are located in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.

 EASTERN UGANDA 

Although Eastern Uganda is perfect for Uganda adventure tours like water sports on the Nile, it also provides fantastic opportunities for wildlife filming. This area is home to the magnificent Sipi Falls, the enormous Mount Elgon, and lovely coffee plantations. Mount Elgon National Park is located here. Along with a variety of wild animals, the park is home to over 300 different species of birds. Beautiful afro-montane woods and the world’s biggest caldera can be found in the park.

Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, the second-largest conservation area after Murchison Falls National Park, is located in the Karamoja Sub-region to the north of Mount Elgon. The highest population of predators and the rarest mammals, including reedbucks, rock hyrax, roan antelopes, and wild cats, are found in the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. Between Mount Elgon and Kidepo Valley National Park is Pian Upe. Matheniko Wildlife Reserve and Bukora Wildlife Reserve are on either side of it.

The most stunning National Park in the country is Kidepo Valley, which is situated in northeastern Uganda. With over 475 different bird species, the park has the second-biggest number of known bird species and the largest population of buffaloes. The park is also home to a wide variety of other animals, including cheetahs, duikers, dik-diks, leopards, giraffes, wild dogs, spotted hyenas, ostriches, and many more. The Kidepo and Narus rivers, Mount Morungole and the 1,000 people, and other locations are featured in Kidepo films.

Uganda Wildlife Filming Safaris
Leopard filming-in-Kidepo Valley National Park

 THE BEST SEASON IN UGANDA FOR WILDLIFE FILMING  

Depending on client preferences, budget, and the state of the roads in the various locations they have selected, Discover Africa Safaris Tours can provide transportation for both film crews and tourists. Use of customized 4×4 Land Cruisers, which cost between $200 and $250 per car per day with driver/fixer, or 4×4 Safari Vans, which cost between $200 and $250 per van per day with driver/fixer, is recommended for difficult terrain, such as in Uganda’s National Parks. We will need to look at your filming safari itinerary to figure up the miles and distance travelled for fuel charges.

To reduce the amount of time spent in the air, Discover Africa Safaris Tours also manages charter and scheduled air travel for visitors who must fly. It also serves tourists who want to film on bodies of water in association with other trustworthy service providers.

  ACCOMMODATIONS  WHILE WILDLIFE FILMMAKING IN UGANDA  

The majority of Uganda’s national parks, wildlife reserves, and other safari areas have designated safari hotels. These lodgings are divided into affordable, upscale, and luxury categories. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can always choose between safari lodges and tented camps. Among these are the Turaco Tree-tops in Kibale Forest National Park, Hotel No.5 Boutique Hotel, 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Chameleon Hill Lodge in Bwindi, Elephant Plain Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park, among many others.

Back To Top
× How can we help you?