Rwanda
Why Film in Rwanda?
Rwanda is one of Africa’s safest, cleanest and most organised countries, offering mountain gorillas, rainforest, savanna wildlife, lakes and lush terraced hills, backed by an efficient, welcoming film office – a standout, easy destination for wildlife and travel productions.
- Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzees and a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest
- Big-Five savanna in Akagera National Park
- The beaches and islands of Lake Kivu
- Clean, modern, safe Kigali
- The lush “land of a thousand hills”
- An efficient, film-friendly environment
- Excellent infrastructure and organisation
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Capital City
Kigali
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Main Cities
Kigali, Musanze, Huye and Rubavu
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Main Languages
Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili (all official)
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Currency
Rwandan Franc (RWF)
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Weather
Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate with two main seasons. The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) offer clear skies and mild temperatures, ranging from 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F). In contrast, the rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) bring lush greenery but also heavy rainfall, which can impact outdoor filming.
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Climate
Temperate highland – the "land of a thousand hills", with drier and wetter seasons
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Best Time to Shoot
June to September and December to February (drier)
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Main Production Hubs
Kigali
Production Services
Our Rwanda production services include:
- Local Producers
- Film Fixers
- Production Management
- Film, Video & Stills Crew
- Camera Equipment
- Lighting & Grip
- Drone Operators
- Location Scouting
- Film Permits
- Casting
- Transport & Logistics
- Crew & Cast Accommodation
- Security
- Catering
Crew & Equipment
Rwanda suits wildlife, travel, documentary and commercial productions, with local fixers and a developing crew base, supported by a proactive national film office.
A local crew base of producers, fixers, guides, drivers and production assistants is available in Kigali; senior technical crew and specialist equipment are brought in from Kenya, South Africa or abroad.
Productions plan for gorilla-permit rules, 4×4 transport and park logistics, and typically import camera, long-lens and drone packages.
Top Filming Locations
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Volcanoes National Park
This park is home to endangered mountain gorillas and offers breathtaking volcanic landscapes. Its mist-covered forests and diverse wildlife make it perfect for documentaries, adventure films, and conservation projects.
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Lake Kivu
With its crystal-clear waters, scenic beaches, and surrounding hills, Lake Kivu is a stunning location for romantic films, dramas, and tourism-based productions.
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Nyungwe Forest National Park
This vast rainforest features hanging bridges, waterfalls, and diverse primate species. It is ideal for wildlife documentaries, adventure films, and fantasy productions.
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Akagera National Park
Rwanda’s only savannah park is home to the Big Five. The park’s rolling plains, lakes, and wetlands make it an excellent choice for nature and wildlife films.
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Kigali City
A modern, vibrant city with contemporary architecture, bustling markets, and historical sites, Kigali offers an urban backdrop for political thrillers, business dramas, and cultural documentaries.
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King's Palace Museum
This historical site showcases Rwanda’s royal heritage. The museum features traditional architecture and cultural artifacts, making it ideal for period pieces and historical documentaries.
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Golden monkeys & the Virungas
Rare primates and dramatic peaks.
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Kigali Genocide Memorial
A place of reflection and history.
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The "land of a thousand hills"
Sculpted terraced landscapes.
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Musanze caves
Lava tubes near the volcanoes.
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Tea & coffee plantations
Green highland cultivation.
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The Congo Nile Trail
A scenic route along Lake Kivu.
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The Twin Lakes (Burera & Ruhondo)
Volcano-framed waters.
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The Dian Fossey trail
Gorilla-research heritage.
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Terraced farmland & villages
Rwanda's signature hills.
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The Nyungwe canopy walkway
High above the rainforest.
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Rwandan dance & culture
Intore dancers and drums.
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Highland mist & rainforest
Atmospheric forest scenery.
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Akagera wetlands & wildlife
Hippos, birds and plains game.
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Rolling green hill country
Endless cultivated slopes.
Luxury Lodge & Hotel Options
Rwanda offers world-class gorilla lodges and city hotels for luxury travel and wildlife productions. Access for filming is subject to approval, park permits and availability.
- Bisate Lodge (Wilderness), Volcanoes – Iconic volcano-view eco-luxury.
- Singita Kwitonda Lodge – Ultra-luxury by the gorilla park.
- One&Only Gorilla’s Nest – Forest-set luxury lodge.
- One&Only Nyungwe House – Tea-estate rainforest lodge.
- The Retreat by Heaven, Kigali – Boutique city hotel.
- Kigali Serena / Marriott – Landmark city hotels.
Crew & Cast Accommodation
Cast and crew accommodation runs from world-class gorilla and forest lodges to modern city hotels in Kigali and lakeside hotels on Lake Kivu. We arrange group bookings, transfers and park logistics.
- Luxury (talent, directors, key clients)
Bisate or Singita Kwitonda, Volcanoes – Premium gorilla-park bases for talent and clients.
One&Only Nyungwe House – Standout rainforest luxury. - Mid-range (main crew, production team)
Kigali: Serena, Marriott and Radisson Blu – Reliable city bases.
Volcanoes: mid-tier lodges – Comfortable gorilla bases.
Lake Kivu: Rubavu and Kibuye hotels – Lakeside accommodation. - Budget & serviced options (extended crew, longer shoots)
Kigali business hotels and guesthouses – Value options for larger crews.
Park-gateway guesthouses – Practical bases near the parks.
Accommodation availability and rates vary by season and should be booked well in advance. African Fixer manages crew and cast bookings, transfers and per-location logistics as part of production support.
Best Time to Shoot
- June to September – The long dry season, best for gorillas and access.
- December to February – A shorter drier spell, also good for most locations.
- Gorilla and chimp tracking is possible year-round, easier on drier trails.
- March to May and October to November are wetter, bringing lush green.
Visa Requirements
International cast and crew should confirm visa and work permission requirements before travelling. Typical documents may include a valid passport, flight details, accommodation details, invitation letter, crew list and equipment list.
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Required Documentation
To apply for a visa, productions must provide a passport valid for at least six months, passport-sized photographs, a letter of invitation, hotel booking confirmation, and a medical certificate.
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Timings & Cost
The online application process takes only a few minutes. Visa fees vary depending on nationality, with costs typically ranging from $30 to $50.
International Crew Accreditation
International productions may require local coordination, film permissions and supporting letters depending on the production type, locations and crew nationality, and should work with an in-country fixer or service company.
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Required Documentation
Accreditation requires a company profile from the production company, a synopsis of the film, passport scans and photos for all crew members, visa scans, and a detailed equipment list with serial numbers.
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Timings & Cost
The accreditation process takes seven working days and costs $100 per crew member.
General Film Permit
Filming permits are efficiently coordinated through the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Film Office, which are notably film-friendly, with park permits and special, limited and costly gorilla-filming permits via the RDB. Crew require the correct permits. Allow lead time for gorilla work.
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Required Documentation
Productions must submit a letter of application from the media house or production company, a media or service card, passport scans and photos for each crew member, and a completed data sheet.
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Timings & Cost
The permit process takes approximately one week, with a cost of $500 per crew.
Drone Permit
Drone filming requires authorisation from the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, with restrictions in national parks and over Kigali. Permissions should be arranged in advance.
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Importation Regulations
Rwanda has a ban on the importation of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Local drone operators must be used, and they must be registered with the RCCA.
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Required Documentation
A company letterhead detailing the drone operation areas must be submitted to the RCCA by the registered local drone operator.
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Timings & Cost
Approval takes seven working days, with a fee of $200 per filming location.
Equipment Customs Clearance
Professional equipment can usually be temporarily imported with the correct customs documentation. An ATA Carnet may be used where applicable, and equipment lists should be prepared in advance.
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Required Documentation
An equipment list with values and serial numbers must be provided.
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Issuing Organization
The Rwanda Revenue Authority (Customs Service Department) is responsible for customs clearance.
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Timings & Cost
Clearance takes approximately four working days, with costs amounting to 5% of the equipment’s value.
Safety and Security
Rwanda is one of Africa’s safest, cleanest and most organised countries, with excellent infrastructure and a welcoming, efficient approach to production. Standard precautions are minimal, malaria risk is lower in the highlands, and the main planning points are gorilla-permit rules and park logistics.
Rebates & Incentives
Rwanda does not currently operate a formal cash rebate for international productions, but it is exceptionally film-friendly, with a proactive film office, streamlined permits and outstanding organisation.
African Fixer will confirm the latest position on gorilla-permit and park fees and any incentives during planning, and manage the permissions and logistics, which are among the smoothest in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Permits are arranged through the relevant authorities, with additional permissions for protected and heritage areas. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time.
Yes. Rwanda has local fixers and a developing crew base supported by a proactive film office, with technical crew brought in from the region.
The mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, the chimps and canopy of Nyungwe, the savanna of Akagera and Lake Kivu.
World-class gorilla and forest lodges, modern city hotels in Kigali and lakeside hotels on Lake Kivu.
Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used. Plan to import camera, drone and specialist packages.
Yes. Drone filming requires civil-aviation authorisation, with restrictions near sensitive sites and protected areas.
No cash rebate currently, but Rwanda is exceptionally film-friendly with streamlined permits. We confirm gorilla and park fees before you budget.
Yes – one of Africa's safest, best-organised and most film-friendly countries, ideal for wildlife and travel productions.
Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap, including permits and logistics.
Did you know?
Rwanda is famous as the home of Dian Fossey’s mountain gorilla research, immortalised in “Gorillas in the Mist” – and today it is one of the cleanest and safest countries in Africa, having even banned single-use plastic bags nationwide.
PRO TIP:
Secure the limited, costly gorilla-filming permits early through the film-friendly RDB, shoot the dry June-to-September or December-to-February windows, and pair Volcanoes with Nyungwe, Akagera and Lake Kivu for full range.
Angelo — Rwanda
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