Commercial filming in Akagera has now become popular! Akagera National Park has a variety of things to film including elephants, Rhino filming, shoebill filming, and Predator animals such as Leopards and Lions population among others including topi, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, eland, zebra hyena, water bung bush pigs, and giraffe. Among the primate species including vervet monkeys olive baboons and bush babies.
Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s only savannah National Park and also the only place one can track, see, photograph, and film Leopards in Rwanda. However, it’s important to remember that much of Rwanda’s wildlife is just recouping after the political unrest that birthed the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. For example, the leopard population in Akagera National park is only estimated to range between 15 – 20 individuals sighted around the Magashi camp – a luxury Safari camp overlooking the expanses of the park and is the Best place to stay for people looking to film the elusive Leopards of Akagera National Park.
Driving in to Agakera National Park by Car
The large herds of elephants can be filmed in Akagera National Park. For many years the elephant populations in this park have been devastated by poaching, habitat loss, and human conflict however through Africa Parks which look over the management and protection of this park, this has helped create safe havens for elephants in Akagera National Park by stopping poaching and reducing human-elephant conflicts while also ensuring that local communities benefit from their existence both directly through jobs and indirectly.
Filming shoebill in Akagera National Park you will also have an opportunity to sight and film other bird species including both resident and migratory birds, among notable species including the threatened papyrus gonolek, other species include the Lesser Kesterel, the Armot chat, the red-faced barbet, the great snipe, swamp flycatchers, and the shoebill.
Requirement for Commercial filming in Akagera.
Commercial filming in Akagera National Park requires permits and permissions which should be secured before the commencement of your filming activities in the Park.
All foreign media companies, individuals including freelance filmmakers, a Rwanda filming permit must be applied for. The Process starts with filling out a Rwanda Film Permit Authorization Request form and thereafter return the filled out form to the Ministry of Sports and Culture via email: info@minispoc.gov.rw. Then wait for a response from the Ministry on whether you or your crew has been granted or denied a Rwanda Filming permit.
Other permits & Permissions are needed.
Press Accreditation for Media in Rwanda.
Besides the Rwanda Filming Permit, each crew member ought to have accreditation – a license that grants them permission to carry out Journalism in Rwanda. Media accreditation applies to both Foreign and local crew members intending to take on a Filming Project in Rwanda.
Official letter requesting accreditation with the official letterhead of the media organization, signed by authorized personnel with their contact information
Colored passport photos.
Passport copy.
Copy of the press card issued by a competent authority.
Provide a list of the filming equipment, value, serial numbers & the year of manufacture.
How to Apply for Rwanda Press Accreditation for commercial filming in Akagera.
- Attach necessary documents.
- Proceed to make payment by selecting the mode of payment
- Make payment using online payments i.e. VISA card or Master card and for offline payment, once you submit your application, you will receive an SMS confirming your application and directing you to pay.
- Pay using Mobile Money on MTN (*182#), Airtel (*182#), or Tigo (*310#) or visit a Bank of Kigali branch or an agent close to you. Upon payment, you will receive a payment confirmation via SMS and/or email.After successful payment your application will be submitted to Media High Council (MHC)) for processing.
Other places in Rwanda to explore include Nyungwe Forest National Park, here Uwinka Campsite is available for all guests that wish to camp next to this pristine forest home to chimpanzees and other primates species in Africa.