Filming on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the smallest great western rift valley lakes where you can go for filming. The lake is situated on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo with Uganda and it covers an area equivalent to 12,096 square kilometers linked by the Kazinga channel to Lake George. It has a water volume of roughly 40 km3 and a 20-year home season. Nyamugasani, Ishasha, Rutshuru, Rwindi, Ntungwe, and Lubilia are the major waterways that flow directly into Lake Edward, but the lake also receives water from Lake George, which receives water from the Ruwenzori Mountains. The Semliki River transports the majority of the water from the lake to Lake Albert via a series of cascades that have prevented fish migration between the two bodies of water.
The terrain around the lake is typical of the Abertine Rift, with two blustery seasons in the areas surrounding the lake. The good countries receive more rain than the lake itself. The temperature fluctuates between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius. The lake discharges its water into Lake Albert to the north via the Semliki River, with its waters emptying into the Albert Nile. The majority of Lake Edward’s east and west borders are steep box dividers, while its northern and southern beaches are low fields. The lake is teeming with fish, and the natural life along its banks is protected by the Virunga National Park in Congo and the Queen Elizabeth (Ruwenzori) National Park in Uganda.
Filming options on Lake Edward in Democratic Republic of Congo
Fishing on Lake Edward from DR. Congo
There are several fish species harvested from Lake Edward, and these are some of the unique fish species that you can clearly film on this lake. Fishing is an important activity for the people around the lake since the majority of them depend on it. You will get a chance to see fishermen and film them as they are casting their nets in the lake. Some of the fish species here include more than 50 species of haplochronimis and other haplochromine species, of which only 25 of these are officially known and recorded.
Wildlife Filming on Lake Edward
Lake Edward is wonderful and offers the best wildlife species that can be seen and filmed on the lake. Some of the wildlife animal species that can be seen and filmed around Lake Edward include lions, elephants, chimpanzees, and elephants. This is because Lake Edward is around protected areas like Queen Elizabeth National Park and several other perennial and migratory bird species, which makes it much more interesting.
Filming the settlement pattern on Lake Edward
Lake Edwards is located between the Virunga National Park, the Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the Virunga National Park. Mweya and Katwe are the Ugandan settlements, while Ishango is the big Congolese settlement. The neighborhood’s way of life, customs, lifestyle, health, and taxpayer-funded organization access, such as health and training administrations, might all be part of your creation in these settlements.
Filming the fishing villages and community of Lake Edward
This is one of the activities that can be clearly organized. Most of the fishing villages are comprised of nuclear settlements, and these are located near the landing lake and the shore, which makes it easy to film. The houses are constructed in mud and these are interesting to film as the people will be telling you exactly the life that they do pass through. To film in any of the fishing communities, you will need permission from the local government or local authorities. The local lifestyle, traditions, way of life, safety, government service access, and any other interests of your cast can all be incorporated into your performance.
What is the cost of filming on Lake Edward 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 a 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.
Essentials for Filming on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of 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, all the filming crew members have to possess filming permits, and these are provided with permission by the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo in order for you to continue with your filming on Lake Edwards from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 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 can help you a lot. By merely informing us of your intentions to do filming on Lake Edwards 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 the 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 using drones, market filming, or filming alongside the road whereby you will inconvenience traffic, such as filming in the cities or in 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 on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 the 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 its neighboring countries. The film crew members will not be allowed to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo to do filming activities 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 the DR. Congo.
You need to hire vehicles for filming on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yes, at Africa Adventure Vacations, we make sure that we make transport arrangements for you so 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. For the film crew members going to film in the rough terrain, we advise them to use the 44-wheel-drive vehicle that will be able to navigate the hilly terrain, especially filming on Lake Edward from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 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 previously visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lake Edward and knows every corner of the country from the point of arrival up to Lake Edward from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The driver fixer will be able to share with you the basic information about the Democratic Republic of Congo and will give you all the solutions required when it comes to film fixing, so you are lucky to book your Lake Edward filming safari from the Democratic Republic of Congo with Africa Adventure Vacations.
Is it safe to film on Lake Edward from Democratic Republic of Congo Safe?
It is very safe to film on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Well, we all know that over recent years, DR. Congo has been affected by instabilities that 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 that 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 on Lake Edwards from the Democratic Republic of 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 on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo starts. Always contact us at African Adventure Vacations for more information about the safety of filming on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When is the best time to film on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Filming on Lake Edward from the Democratic Republic of Congo is done throughout the year. However, it has been established that the best time to film on Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo 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