Filming in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Filming in Ngorongoro Conservation Area : Tanzania is an incredible spot if you’re a filmmaker and want to shoot natural scenes. You can select what to capture, either wildlife destinations or others. The awe-inspiring attractions like Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Tarangire are perfect spots. You probably want to include a scene from the African wilderness; Tanzania is the best place. Many commercial films have been shot in this country.  The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a promising destination for filming safaris. The major highlight that most film crews target is the Ngorongoro Crater, a stunning wildlife sanctuary within the conservation area.

Why film in Ngorongoro

Most film crews wish to film in this conservation area. There are plenty of things to film in Ngorongoro, including the Big Five animals, Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, wildlife, etc.

The Big Five

Finding all the Big Five animals in one destination is challenging. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a promising spot to watch them lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and black rhinos. The crater is small, making it possible to see them.

Want to feature these games in your film? Head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is another spectacular feature within this conservation area. It is 600 meters deep, 265 square kilometers big, and rises 2,200 meters above sea level.

It is home to over 30,000 big animals. Large herds, including wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, buffalos, and more, share habitats with predators like lions and leopards.

Birdlife

The conservation area is home to colorful birds. If your film or documentary features birds, this area is your choice. Your camera might encounter beautiful birds. These include ashy starlings, yellow-billed storks, pelicans, Kori bustards, etc.

Maasai villages

The Maasai call the Ngorongoro Conservation Area home. They live in locally made huts, the Maasai bomas. On your filming safari, you may like to shoot the Maasai bomas. They are traditionally made huts and are fascinating. For centuries, the Maasai have coexisted with wildlife.

Filming Rules and Regulations

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is under the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). Therefore, its filming regulations and requirements are independent of those of the Tanzania National Parks Authority.

The guidelines require crews to obtain a filming permit for any commercial film. Films shot using large cameras require a special license for fun, NGO, or commercial purposes.

You don’t need a filming permit to capture any film using personal cameras or mobile devices.

If you want to film in Ngorongoro, you need two permits. The Tanzanian Filming Board issues the first, while the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority issues the other.

These permits apply to average films shot by standard cameras. If your footage involves the use of drones, several licenses are required. We’ll cover this later in this article.

The Filming Board of Tanzania

Before you travel to Tanzania, we advise you to issue a filming permit from this board. This permit costs $1,000 and may take 2-3 months of processing to complete. We advise you to apply for it at least 30 days before your trip.

Getting it within seven days is possible, but the cost will be higher. The board will process the permit in a week if you pay $3,000. To avoid lengthy processing of the license, here are some tips:

  • Apply early.
  • Submit all necessary information, including the names of crew members, a synopsis of the film, the location where you want to film, and estimated filming dates.
  • Ensure that all crew members are eligible to travel to Tanzania.

Please note that the filming will be valid for three months from the approval date. Ensure you complete your filming activities within this time. Reapplying for another permit is possible.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) controls all tourist activities, including filming in the Ngorongoro. After obtaining a permit from the filming board, you can apply for one from the NCAA.

Filming in Ngorongoro requires a fee of $300 per day, which includes camping and guiding. Therefore, you don’t pay for camping or guiding.

Filming in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Filming in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Drone Filming in Ngorongoro

Filming with drones in Ngorongoro is heavily regulated. Special permits from four authorities are required. These include

  • Tanzania Film Censorship Board
  • The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
  • Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA)
  • The Ministry of Defense.

The process is complex and more expensive. It may cost you $5,000 or more. You are more likely to obtain a permit for a high-paying drone filming project.

While shooting, the Ministry of Defense will provide a military person to escort your crew. You must pay for all expenses, such as the hotel, the tour guide, etc.

Understanding all the steps of filming in Tanzania can be complicated. Thus, Focus East Africa Tours has been assisting its clients to obtain permits for different clients. You can also consult with Safari experts before applying for the license.

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