Top Destinations for Filming in Tanzania

Top Destinations for Filming in Tanzania

Are you a filmmaker looking for a filming stage? Or are you a Nat Geo documentary maker searching for a perfect wilderness spot to make your best wildlife documentary? Probably you are a Hollywood director wishing to capture a certain scene in your movie in Tanzania. Either way, if you’re searching for any information about filming in Tanzania, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we discuss the best hotspots for shooting your extraordinary film or movie. We are confident that these spots will make your film exceptional, maybe like The Lion King.

Filming in Tanzania

With the recent boom in filmmaking, Tanzania is captivating many filmmakers, the Hollywoods, the Nollywoods, and whatever other category they might fall into. At the time of writing, S.S. Rajamouli, a famous Indian filmmaker, is shooting his upcoming action-adventure epic, SSMB29, in Tanzania. This movie will feature an international cast, including Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, and is expected to feature top spots like the Serengeti.

So, where do you go for filming in Tanzania?

The options are endless, and it depends on whether you want to feature people, landscapes, or wildlife. Here is a rundown of the two top destinations for filming in Tanzania.

1.     Serengeti National Park.

In the north of this East African country lies a 14,763 km² expanse teeming with countless wild animals and striking landscapes. Its vast savannahs, of course, stretch as far as you can see; they are grazing grounds for over 2 million herbivores and hunting grounds for over 30 species of predators.

From the wildebeest migration and the Big Five to the golden plains and ever-flowing crocodile-infested rivers, Serengeti has something every director would love to feature. The endless plains, which gave the Serengeti its name, turn golden in the dry season. The scene is even more captivating when morning sunshine illuminates them or the sun is sinking in the African savannahs.

So, what will you be shooting in the Serengeti?

You choose. Again, the possibilities are endless. And we can’t bet on what you want to appear in your movie. But we are here to show you what to expect or what to feature during your Serengeti filming tour.

The Big Five.

These five animals—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—define most African safaris. Their name has nothing to do with size (although some are so big), but with how deadly they were to old-school hunters. Do you want to feature them in your film? Serengeti can make it possible effortlessly.

The Big Cats.

Serengeti boasts three big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah. The reason these large cats deserve classification and maybe a feature in your documentary is how skillful they are when hunting. They are good stalkers and timers, and once their alarm rings, they start the high-speed chase—a chase that decides who survives.

The Great Migration.

Some animals in the Serengeti are in constant motion, not only for grazing purposes but also because they follow the rains every year. These are wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, which move in large numbers of over 2 million.

Most films feature the dramatic Mara River crossings. You can feature them too. But if you want something unique, the calving season in Southern Serengeti (from December to March) and Grumeti River crossings (May to June) are spectacular.

2.   Ngorongoro Crater.

Have you come across a huge, unbroken caldera? Whatever your answer may be, you have to see this enormous crater. No doubt it’s the largest unbroken and unfilled caldera in the world. Its crater rims rise 600 meters (1,968 ft), and the misty highlands in the region create a scenic background, ideal for filming.

What should you feature in the Ngorongoro Crater?

The Big Five.

Sounds repetitive? No, not in the crater. This majestic caldera is a 264 km² expanse, but it hosts all the Big Five alongside 25,000 other animals on the crater floor. Unlike in the Serengeti, rhinos are easier to find here because of the small area and fewer shrubs.

Countless wildlife features.

Sit tight in your safari vehicle as the driver takes you through the zigzag trail on the floor. There’s a good chance to spot wildebeest, zebra, cheetah, warthog, gazelle, hyena, and more.

Striking landscape.

Besides the crater animals, you can feature sensational landscapes. History says it’s the volcanic eruption that resulted in the formation of this big, intact caldera. But was it alone? No, there are craters within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), including the Empakai Crater, which is 75% a lake, and the Olmoti Crater.

The Maasai.

It would be captivating to feature these wonderful communities. But first, ask for permission. The Maasai tribe lives in the vast wilderness of the NCA and grazes its cattle alongside wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo. You can air their unique dance, the Adumu dance, or feature their unique traditional attire.

What do you need for a filming tour in Tanzania?

A quick note is that you will need the following:

• A filming permit from the Tanzania Film Board.
• A permit from the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) for national parks.
• A permit from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCA) for the NCA.

Will you use drones? If yes, you will also require additional permits from:

• Ministry of Defense.
• Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

Check out our ultimate guide to filming in Tanzania for more information about the permits and shipping your filming equipment in Tanzania.

The bottom line.

We are always by your side, from start to finish. Our guides have led many documentary filmmakers in Tanzania, and guess what: their documentaries became the best films shot in Tanzania. We can, if you allow us to, book your filming safari and reduce the hassle of obtaining permits and importing your equipment. Let’s start planning your next adventure.