EAST AFRICA
Niarobi, Kenya
Popularised for exclusive excursions like Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Private conservancies in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti. The Ngorongoro Crater. Fly-in safaris. Luxury tented camps. Hot-air balloons at dawn. Wildlife. The Maasai against vast savannahs. Mount Kilimanjaro. The spirit of adventure and the romanticism of ‘Out of Africa’. Kenya is also the Silicon Valley of Africa with its dynamic cities and tech hubs. Indian Ocean Africa shaped by centuries of Arabic trade: exotic scenes, spice islands, dhow boats, Stone Town, Fort Jesus, Lamu and Zanzibar’s island retreats. Central East Africa’s lush tropical rainforests. Volcanic lakes, waterfalls and the expansive Lake Victoria. Further north we find Ethiopia’s rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Coffee ceremonies. Archaeological sites tracing the origins of humanity. East Africa is cinematic in scale, globally iconic on screen, layered in culture and visually exquisite.
FILM FIXING IN EAST AFRICA - AT A GLANCE
Rwanda
Land of a Thousand Hills. Primate capital: mountain gorillas and chimpanzees
Volcanoes, rainforest, lakes, misty mountain scenes
Kigali, cleanest city in Africa. Scooter-filled streets
Milk Bars and coffee plantations
Rwandan genocide history
Best time to film: Dry seasons, Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb
Film permits acquired via Rwanda Development Board (RDB) / Irembo portal
No drone importation. Drone and operator must be sourced locally. Requires separate aviation approval and area-specific permits. Strictly regulated
Limited but growing crew base. Specialist wildlife filming needs planning
Permits process can be layered. Requires 1 to 6 months
Best for: Gorillas, volcanoes, premium conservation, eco-narratives
Uganda
Primate stronghold: mountain gorillas, chimpanzees
Rainforests, Lake Victoria, origins of the River Nile
The equator crossing
Best time to film: Dry seasons, Jun-Aug and Dec–Feb
Film permits acquired through Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
Additional park permits required for protected areas
Drone permit applications through the Civil Aviation Authority
Limited crew base. Specialist wildlife shoots require experienced local coordination
Permit timelines vary. Early engagement recommended
Best for: Gorillas, wildlife documentaries, river narratives, conservation storytelling
Kenya
Iconic safari locations, Maasai Mara, the Great Migration
Savannah, wildlife, highlands, coffee plantations, exotic Mombasa coastline, historical forts, Swahili cuisine
Nairobi, dynamic big city energy
Luxury tented camps and premium hotels
Culturally-rich with access to many cultural groups through experienced fixers
Best time to film: Dry season, Jun–Oct
Film permits acquired through Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)
Special Pass required for foreign crew
Drone approval required from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)
Strong drone, crew base and equipment supply in Nairobi
Maasai Mara is prized but very costly, similar safari locations are available
National parks and conservancies require separate permissions
Best for: flagship wildlife, luxury safaris, ‘Lion King’ savannah settings, contemporary urban Africa
Tanzania
Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar coast
‘Galápagos of Africa’ - Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Savannah, crater geography, Indian Ocean islands
Spice island, fragrant Swahili cuisine
Best time to film: Jun-Oct and Dec-Feb
Mainland film permits via Tanzania Film Board
Zanzibar requires separate permit authority
Drone permits required via Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority
Good safari infrastructure; specialist gear may need to be imported
National parks require layered permissions
Best for: epic wildlife scale, crater landscapes, tropical Zanzibar coastline
Ethiopia
Highlands, Rift Valley lakes, desert, the unique Danakil Depression
Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Christian Orthodox iconography
Ancient civilisation. Home of Dinknesh or ‘Lucy’ 3.2. million year old fossil
Many unique African cultural firsts
Most UNESCOS in Africa
Addis urban density, African Union headquarters, ‘Africa’s diplomatic capital’
Coffee culture, coffee ceremonies, ‘Mercato’, some Italian influence remaining
Best time to film: direr season, Oct-Mar
Film permits acquired via Ethiopian Media Authority
Drone requires separate aviation clearance
Limited large-scale infrastructure outside Addis
Over 80 cultures. Religious and cultural protocol is essential in heritage locations
Advance coordination required for historical and government sites
Best for: ancient world texture, unique cultural firsts, Christian Orthodox religious heritage, origin-of-humanity narratives
View More.
Explore other areas of the african continent.
