Filming Around Goma City in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Goma city is one of the major cities that are located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and fantastic spot for wildlife and community filming. and the city is in close proximity to Kivu at the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Goma is the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after Kinshasa, and it serves as the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Northern Province. When we talk about Goma City, we mean the city that is very busy and provides the major transportation routes and businesses. Goma city hosts the United Nations and several other regional and international human rights organizations and civil activists. Just a few minutes from Goma town, you will be able to get to Virunga National Park, the home of the endangered mountain gorillas, and this makes the city so much more attractive to visitors. There are also some of the most magnificent scenery around Goma city, dominated by the hills, mountains, forests, and mountains around the city. The enormous Nyiragongo Volcano is an important component, and the city also features cafés, galleries, and theaters. If you are in Goma or planning a visit and are looking for something to do in your spare time, this may be the article for you.

There are a lot of things that you can film in Goma City because the city is surrounded by major tourist attractions. Some of the things that can be found near and around Goma city for filming include;

Filming in Virunga National Park near Goma City

Virunga is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are found in Goma, and thus the film crew members can as well film the park and its inhabitants, which include the golden monkeys and the endangered mountain gorillas. You can also film the Okapai and the Bongo. So you will be able to film a lot of these wonderful tourist attractions in Virunga National Park.

Filming the mountain Nyirangongo in the vicinity of Goma City

This is an active volcano with a two-kilometer-wide main crater. From that moment on, the volcano slowed down and there is no chance of it erupting anytime soon. Various researchers and scientists have established a facility in Goma to keep an eye on the mountain and potential volcanic activity. Filming the Nyiragongo Volcano is regarded as one of Africa’s most daring activities. It is the major mountain with a bubbling magma lake that tourists can see.

Filming the Senkwe Mountain Gorilla Orphanage

This is the only ever mountain gorilla center in the whole world, and while you are in Goma city, you can visit and film the mountain gorillas at this center.

Other major filming locations in Goma city include filming Lake Kivu, filming the Kahuzi Biega, filming the local restaurants, filming the night life in Goma city, filming the culture, people, art shops, and traditional food, among other areas that can be filmed in Goma city.

The cost of filming in the Democratic Republic of Congo

All the visitors going on the filming adventure in the Democratic Republic of Congo must obtain valid filming permits. If you’re filming for personal use, you will just need to pay the park entrance fees and then the fees and do the activity, while if you’re filming for commercial purposes or documentary, it will be the Institut Congolais Pour la Conservation de la Nature that will issue the filming permit, depending on which destination you’re going to do the filming from. But generally, you will need to pay the park entrance fees and then a percentage levied for filming, as it will be well explained by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature. We engage with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature to ensure that we get for you the right and affordable Congo filming permit.

What do you need to film in Goma City Congo?

The first requirement is to obtain filming permits and clearance.

For any related filming activity to be done in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in Goma City, all the filming crew members have and possess the filming permits and these are provided with the permission by the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo in order for you to continue with your Goma City filming. Other than the filming permits, you will also need to have your filming equipment cleared at any point of entry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whether through the international airport or by using the land borders. The filming equipment is supposed to be cleared by the customs department, which is always stationed at the point of entry.

Therefore, as Africa Adventure Vacations, this is where we do help you a lot. By merely informing us of your intentions to do filming in Goma City in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we are very experienced in organizing for you the whole adventure activity, including processing for you the filming permits required, organizing for you the accommodation facilities, transportation, help in obtaining for you the local authorities’ permits, as well as aiding you in clearance of your filming equipment with the customs department of the Democratic Republic of Congo at your point of entry.

There is no formal process for the allocation of filming permits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so this is handled by negotiations between the parties, which Africa Adventure Vacations is experienced in. Also, the DR. Congo government doesn’t authorize filming in the areas of interest, especially filming the military installation projects, filming of government buildings, as well as filming along the border areas, and this is illegal and you may be penalized in the courts of law or even have your equipment confiscated. If you want to do filming that will require you to shoot by the use of drones, market filming, or filming alongside the road whereby you will inconvenience traffic, such as filming in the cities or those in the national parks, then you will also need to get permission from the local authorities. To avoid inconveniences, you will need to contact Africa Adventure Vacations so that we can advise you accordingly when to do filming in Goma City.

 Visas and work permits are required as part of the second requirement.

As you are aware, it is illegal to enter another country without a visa. It is important that all the film crew members obtain the visa to be allowed into DR. Congo. For the neighboring Congo countries of Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, you can get the visa immediately on arrival. For the DR Congo Visa, it’s a different story. Rather, you must apply for the visa in advance through your nearby DR Congo Embassy. The single entry visa in Congo costs $100 and is valid for one month. The one valid for two months costs $135, while for the one valid for six months, you will need to pay $400. The important thing to note is that the DR. Congo Visa will need to be applied for in advance, about 3 weeks or a month before your planned dates of travel to Congo for the filming, since this Visa cannot be issued on arrival as it is in her neighboring countries. The film crew members will not be allowed to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo to do filming in Goma City without a visa. Another document here is the yellow fever vaccination card, and thus, please contact us at Africa Adventure Vacations for the best filming opportunities in DR. Congo.

You need to hire the vehicles for filming in Goma City.

Yes, at Africa Adventure Vacations, we make sure that we make transport arrangements for you such that when you are in the Democratic Republic of Congo for filming, you don’t get stranded. We have got our own fleet of cars and we book and arrange the vehicle services for the film crew members depending on their interests, budgets, and the terrain of the area that is going to be filmed. We recommend that film crew members who plan to film in rough terrain use a 44-wheel drive vehicle capable of navigating the hilly terrain, particularly in Goma City. We shall be able to tell you how much it cost in terms of the furl and the mileage covered in order to determine how much you will spend on the vehicle per day. Africa Adventure Vacations also organizes both chartered and scheduled flights within the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially for visitors who are interested in flying and do not have the time to drive long distances on the road.

Our hired vehicles will be manned by a well-experienced driver guide who has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo and knows all the corners of the country from the point of arrival up to Goma City in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The driver fixer will be able to share with you the basic information about the Democratic Republic of Congo and will also give you all the solutions required when it comes to film fixing, so you are lucky to book your Goma City trip with Africa Adventure Vacations.

Is filming in Goma City in Congo safe?

It is very safe. Well, we all know that over recent years, DR. Congo has been affected by instabilities which have threatened investors as well as the tourism industry in the country. Such instabilities and disasters have come because of Ebola and other rebellion conflicts which have halted the filming process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, as of recently, the Congo has returned to peace, with only a few cases of insecurity, and the filming industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is safe and thriving, so we can assure you that filming in Goma city in the Congo is safe. As Africa Adventure Vacations, we keep tracking and monitoring any security threat from time to time, and we are very cautious in that anytime we feel the threat, we can let you know. This advisory service is always given before the filming in Goma city starts. Always contact us at African Adventure Vacations for more information about filming in Goma city.

What to wear during filming in Goma City?

In order to have a successful trip to Goma City in Congo, there are some items that you should not miss from your packing list, especially the right dressing code depending on the conditions available. Therefore, our visitors or the film crew members should put on or come with the following during filming:

You need to wear long-sleeved shirts or long trousers while filming. It is good when they are waterproof, as these will protect you from being harmed by sharp tree branches and stones as well as thorns while in the Congo wildness filming.

You need to wear water-proof shoes during filming. This will help you to navigate through the slippery trails that you will be following while filming in Congo as these will give you stability on the ground.

Don’t miss out on putting on the gardening gloves when filming, which will be so influential in protecting your hands, and you can put them off when you feel you no longer need them.

You also need to come with a rain jacket because, in most cases, filming is done in the tropical rain forests that are always wet, and this is why putting on a rain jacket is of great help to you.

Since filming is always done in the wild, it is good that you have insect repellent with you to safe guard against various insects such as mosquitoes and any other biting insects.

Other clothes that you should not leave out are the water-proof safari back and jacket, as this will help protect your filming equipment from getting in touch with water. You can also put on the African safari hat, safari socks, and shorts that you can sometimes put on, among others.

Where to stay while filming in Goma City in DR. Congo

The lodging options for where to stay during filming in Goma City, DR Congo, range from budget-friendly to mid-range to opulent. Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp are two of the budget-friendly options. Individual tolls range between $90 and $100 per night; mid-priced options include Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp, among others. Individual crossings cost between $100 and $200 per night, and after that, Serena Hotel Goma and Mikeno Lodge are among the most opulent options, with rates ranging from $200 to $400 per person per night. You tell us what you think is the best option for you, and we’ll book you accordingly.

What is the best time for filming in Goma City?

Filming in Goma City is done throughout the year. However, it has been established that the best time to film in Goma City is during the dry season, which runs from June to October and then from December to February. The Democratic Republic of Congo is covered with tropical rain forest and this has influenced the country to experience the tropical rain climate, meaning that at times you can also experience certain rains unexpectedly. Therefore, you need to prepare accordingly for the changing weather conditions.

Why should you choose Africa Adventure Vacations for your filming safaris?

Africa Adventure Vacations is a local company based in Uganda but operates in East African countries that include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and South Africa, and we have over 10 years’ experience in aiding filming and production companies, especially those interested in filming nature-related wildlife and the culture of Africa. We provide services such as booking for the filming permits, clearing of the filming equipment, booking for the accommodation facilities, organizing transportation to the filming companies, all in the shortest period of time. We organize other wildlife packages to all of the above-mentioned countries, including gorilla packages to Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, you should not hesitate to choose us to be your film fixers in East Africa.