Ultimate Guide to Filming in Tanzania National Parks

Ultimate Guide to Filming in Tanzania National Parks : For decades, Tanzania has been a spectacular destination for filmmakers. There is much to film in this country. The annual wildebeest migration, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the chimpanzees are fascinating features. Film crews also anticipate the Hadzabe bushmen, the Maasai community, and the Ol Doinyo Lengai – the only active volcano in the country.

Sensational films have been shot, including a Hollywood film, Hatari (1962) by John Wayne. There are many other films on the list not to ignore National Geographic documentaries. If you are planning to film in Tanzania, this article is a must-read for you.

Do you need a Filming Permit?

The intent of filming will dictate whether you require a special permit or not. There are films that you won’t asked to produce a permit. For a better understanding, below are the details:

You will need a special permit if:

  • You are a journalist and want to use photos or videos.
  • Your project is contracted by another company
  • You require large cameras and equipment that may require setting up in advance
  • You plan to use a drone for filming purposes.

The term ‘professional’ should be well understood here. It implies films made using large cameras for any use (fun, NGO, commercial, etc.).

You do not need a special permit if

  • The films are amateur or personal
  • Photos or videos taken with your smartphone or a personal video camera.
  • You use GoPro camera for personal use

Tanzania Filming Permits

You will require several permits to film in the country.

Tanzania Film Board

This authority controls and regulates all filming activities in Tanzania. A special permit issued by this board is the most important. After receiving it, you can use it to request other permits.

Fees

A Filming Permit from the Tanzania Film Board costs USD 1,000. You should apply for this permit 30 days before the start. Be informed that processing might take up to 2-3 months. Be sure to apply as early as possible to get it under the process.

If you want it fast, it can be processed within 7 days for a cost of USD 3,000.

What information is necessary

While applying for a filming permit, you must provide the following details:

  • Synopsis of the film
  • Names of all crew members
  • Locations of your filming
  • Names of any Tanzanians you intend to interview in the film
  • Estimated dates of filming

The members of your crew should be eligible to travel to Tanzania. A Tanzania Visa will be necessary and for this case, it will be a business visa. This type of visa is quite different from a tourist visa. You will need an invitation from a recognized host organization in Tanzania. Business visas are valid for three months from the date of issuance.

How long will the filming permit be valid?

Once issued, the permit is valid for three months. If your permit is due and you haven’t completed filming, re-apply for another.

The Tanzania Film Board requires filmmakers to submit a free copy of their film upon completing filming.

Filming in Tanzania National Parks

All national parks are under the control of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA). Filming in these wildlife destinations will require a permit from this authority.

How to get it

To obtain this permit, you are required to submit a permit from the Tanzania Film Board. You will have to pay fees depending on the park you want to film. The fee structure is as follows:

  • $300 per day for filming in Serengeti and Nyerere National Parks
  • $250 per day for filming in all other parks except Gombe and Mahale
  • $180 per day for filming in Gombe and Mahale.

These fees cover camping and conservation fees.

Ultimate Guide to Filming in Tanzania National Parks
Ultimate Guide to Filming in Tanzania National Parks

Drone Filming

Filming with drones is heavily regulated in Tanzania. All these regulations are put in place to ensure the security and stability of ecosystems. If you plan to make a film in national parks, you must have permits from the following authorities:

  • Tanzania Film Board
  • Ministry of Defense
  • Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA)
  • Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA).

How to get all these permits

Permit from Filming Board of Tanzania

A permit from the Tanzania Film Board is the first and most important. Your application form for this permit requires an endorsement from the Tanzanian embassy in your home country. If there is no Tanzanian embassy in your country, contact any Tanzania consulate covering your country.

Once submitted an endorsed application form, the board will process it. The processing fee is $1,000 for 30-day completion and $3,000 for 7-day completion.

Permit from Civil Aviation Authority

The TCAA requires filmmakers to apply firstly for importing drones into the country and secondly for using them within the country. The fees for this permit may vary from $100 to $1,000 for personal and commercial use respectively.

There are additional fees for import and registration. They range from $50 to $300.

Permit from the Ministry of Defense

Write a letter to the Minister of Defense asking for permission to film with a drone with a drone. No fees are required. The ministry will assign a military delegate to accompany you during your operations. You will cover all expenses for this delegate, including accommodation, meals, park entry fees, and a daily allowance of $100.

Permit from Tanzania National Parks Authority

All filmmakers should apply to the conservation commissioner of the TANAPA. You should attach copies of permits from the Ministry of Defense, Tanzania Film Board, and TCAA.

If you intend to film in Serengeti or Nyerere, a fee of $300 per day is required. If you want to film in Kilimanjaro and other parks the fee is $250 per day. The fee for filming in Gombe and Mahale is $180 per day.

Please note that these fees apply from July 2024 to June 2025.

Other conditions for drone filming include:

  • Your drone should fly at not less than 50 meters off the ground.
  • Avoid flying drones over other tourists who are not members of your crew
  • Drone operations will be under the supervision of park personnel
  • Flying drones over a river crossing in Serengeti is forbidden

Upon completion of drone filming, the filmmakers will submit a free copy of the film to the conservation commissioner.

Any breach of the park rules can lead to a penalty of TZS 100,000 (or USD 100) per offense and confiscation of the drone.

Importing filming equipment to Tanzania

There are two ways of importing filming equipment safely: the bond system and using a licensed broker.

Bond system: Upon entering Tanzania, the crew will leave a 100% market-value security deposit of the imported equipment. The deposit is a bond and will be returned when the crew returns the equipment.

Using a licensed broker: A broker will get 10% of the market of the imported equipment. This is the best alternative to the bond system, which may take longer hours to get done.

The bottom line

If you feel overwhelmed by all these requirements, Focus East Africa Tours is there to help. We have processed filming projects for different clients. We would be happy to help you obtain that incredible footage.

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