Best time to film Mountain gorillas
Best time to film Mountain gorillas. The best time to film mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry months which are typically from June to September and December to February. The dry period or season in both countries offers clearer weather with little or no rainfall, the trek trails are dry and easier to use and the best conditions for filming the mountain gorillas. The dry season is also the best time because of the reduced rain and thinning out of the vegetation which offer better visibility through the forests where gorilla trekking takes place.
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The dry season in Uganda and Rwanda
The dry season is the most favourable time for filming mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda due to less rainfall and dry and usable terrains. This allows you to easily navigate the forest with your filing equipment. Some of the characteristics that make up the dry season include:
Reduced/little rainfall: The dry season experiences less rainfall as compared to the rainy season, but note that this is still a tropical forest which is located near the equator, and the rains can come at any time. With less rainfall received during the dry season, the trek trails are much clearer, easy to use and it is easy to film the mountain gorillas.
The trek conditions: The trekking conditions within Uganda and Rwanda are better and more favourable for gorilla trekking as compared to the rainy season, making it easy to trek with the filming equipment, among others.
Where to film mountain gorillas
Filming Mountain gorillas is done in three national parks and these are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable NP and Mgahinga National Park:
Filming in Uganda can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Both national parks are located in the southwestern part of Uganda and have habituated gorilla families, which are open for trekking and filming.
The Nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park is the only gorilla family in the park that can be filmed and the best time to to film the playful Nyakagezi gorilla family is from June to September.
Bwindi, on the other hand, has numerous gorilla families that are found in the different sectors of the park, which include Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga and Ruhija. In total, Bwindi is home to 19 habituated gorilla families and each group of trekkers and film crew members have an hour with the gorillas. If you want more time filming gorillas in Bwindi, you can opt for gorilla habituation experience and spend four hours filming.
Volcanoes National Park: Volcanoes National Park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas and 12 habituated gorilla families. All the habituated gorilla families are open for filming and all crew members have an hour with the primates before heading back to the park headquarters.
It is a thrilling reality for many filing crews in Uganda to film mountain gorillas in the park, walking through the thick forests of Volcanoes Park until you locate the gorilla family that you have been assigned. With the right knowledge and experienced tour operators like Encounter Africa Safaris, you will be able to film the gentle giants in their natural habitat.
The well-maintained trek trails within the national park ensure a smooth trek and easy carrying of the filming equipment.
Requirements for filming mountain gorillas
If you are planning on filming mountain gorillas, there are legal requirements that are essential in filming the primates in their natural habitat and without them, you will not be allowed to film the gorillas.
If you plan to film gorillas either in Uganda or Rwanda, you need to obtain a media card or pass from the authorities. For example, the filming card in Uganda is obtained by applying to the Uganda Media Council and in Rwanda, you have to apply for the media cards from the IremaboGov website. There are steps that are involved in getting the media card, and Encounter Africa Safaris is here to help you apply and get the media cards on time.
Uganda: All crew members will need to fill in the Form G, scan and send it to the Uganda Media Council along with a copy of the certificate of good conduct from your country of origin, a copy of a valid passport, an introduction letter from your employer or production company and if you are going to film for several days, you will also need to apply for a work permit. The cost of the accreditation card in Uganda is $175, valid for 30 days, $225, valid for 6 months and $325, valid for two years. Apply for the filming permit from UWA which will give you access to the national parks where gorilla trekking takes place.
Rwanda: The application of the filming permits in Rwanda is easy and it takes about 4 working days. People who can apply for the media card include Rwandan nationals with IDs and foreigners with a passport number and note that the fees of the card depending on the applicant’s citizenship.
The cost of the permit is 30, 000 Rwfs valid for 15 days, 50, 000Rwfs valid for a month, 100 000Rwfs valid for three months and 200,000Rwfs, valid for 12 months for all foreigners and 10, 000Rwfs for Rwanda citizens. Visit www.irebo.gov.rw and click under media and thereafter follow the prompts.
FAQs about filming Mountain gorillas
What is the best time for filming mountain gorillas?
The dry season is the best time for filming mountain gorillas because it is characterized by good weather and more visibility as compared to the rainy season, which is characterized by rain, muddy and slippery routes, making it hard to carry the filming equipment and the visibility sometimes is low.
Are mountain gorillas extremely active on camera?
Yes, mountain gorillas are active on camera mostly in the morning and late afternoon hours. The morning hours are the best time to film mountain gorillas in their natural habitat because it offers some of the best lighting conditions characterized by natural and soft light that filters through the canopy forests. The early morning trek gives tourists a chance to capture the gorillas as they go about their morning routines like feeding, grooming and protecting the young ones. So you should schedule your filming safari around this time to get the best shots of the mountain gorillas and the surrounding areas.
What are the essential filming gear for gorilla trekking?
Having the right gear when filming mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is essential for all film crew members. A high-quality camera that has low light performance is the best for capturing clear and good footage of the mountain gorillas in the dense forest; you will also need waterproof cases to protect your filming gear from the various climatic elements. Do not forget to bring extra batteries, memory cards and lenses because you might fail for extended hours. If possible, bring lightweight filming equipment that is easy to carry around through the dense forests.
Choosing the right lens when it comes to filming gorillas is important as it will help you capture the best moments of the gorillas. A telephoto lens is best used when capturing gorilla moments from a distance, and this ensures that you do not disturb the gorillas. The versatile zoom lens will give you a perfect switch between the angles shot in the forest and the best close-up details without frequently changing the lens.
Do I need a piece of audio equipment when filming gorillas?
Yes, because filming mountain gorillas and capturing them with high-quality audio is the icing on top. The sounds that are in the forest, starting with the gorilla’s vocalizations and birds chirping, add realism to the film. Make sure that you invest in a good external microphone and do not forget the wind protection mechanism to ensure that you get clear recordings within the dense forest. A shit gun microphone is good for capturing directional sound, and if you are looking at having ambient sounds, the Lavalier microphone is your best option. You can also decide to record sound separately during the filming process.
How do I effectively carry my gear through the dense forests?
Filming gorillas in dense forests is challenging, and when you add on carrying the equipment, it becomes harder, but there are tips that you can follow to even out the weight. Pack all your essentials in a way that the weight is distributed to make the filming gear manageable. Move with comfortable backpack pad straps and compartments to easily access your filming equipment.
Or you can hire a porter to help you carry your filming gear throughout the filming process so that you can easily concentrate on filming. Ensure that you keep all the essential filing equipment, for example, your camera and lenses, within arm’s reach, pack light and all the less used items should be placed at the bottom of your day backpack.
Why do I need waterproofing for my filming gear?
The weather in all the gorilla filming destinations is unpredictable, with mist and rain coming in at any time of the day, including the dry season. Waterproofing your filming equipment is essential because it will be protected from moisture and the sun during the dry season. Carry waterproof equipment bags and cases, and make sure that you regularly check on your equipment to protect it from damp conditions and prevent damage.
Tips on filming mountain gorillas
Filming gorillas in their natural habitat is not as easy as it looks and that is why we have come up with tips on how to take the best films and photos of the gorillas.
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Lighting challenges when filming mountain gorillas
Filming in the dense forests can be quite challenging due to the unique lighting that is experienced in the different parts of the national parks. There are times when the canopy trees block out the light, creating dappled light and a mix of shadows, and when this happens, experiment by taking photos from different angles. The overcast days provide soft and even lighting whereas the misty conditions give a mystical quality to the footage. When you have a lighting problem, make sure that you use diffusers and reflectors to reduce the shadows and control light.
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Respect the wildlife when filming
This is an important aspect when it comes to filming gorillas. All filming crew is expected to respect the mountain gorillas and their natural habitat. Follow all the trekking rules given to you during the briefing especially about keeping your distance from the mountain gorillas after finding them, not using flash photography, and communicating in low tones so as not to startle the mountain gorillas.
Know that mountain gorillas are still wild animals even after the habituation process, and you should expect different behaviour from the different mountain gorillas, so you have to be patient and observe their behaviours before you capture them. Remember not to agitate the mountain gorillas because the goal is to get the best documentation of the gorillas in their natural habitat.
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Work with the local guides
The local tour operators and guides are essential when it comes to planning a gorilla filming safari to Uganda and Rwanda. They are familiar with the wildlife, the terrain and the local culture, which increases/enhances your filming experience. The operator will help with planning your entire filming safari from transport, helping you get the filming permits and media cards, accommodation, and transport and will provide an experienced guide to help you through the entire safari. When choosing an operator, make sure that they are registered and can operate in the country.
The guides will guide you and help in locating the gorilla families you are to film, navigate safely through the forest and make sure that you have the best filming safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
Feel free to contact our team at Encounter Africa Safaris for any additional information and to plan your gorilla filming safari to Uganda and Rwanda.