Filming in Liwonde National Park of Malawi is one of the main filming activities that has seen crews over the years travel to malawi. Located in south of Malawi, the park was established in 1973 and to date is one of the country’s premier destinations for wildlife and hosting a number of film crews over the years. The parks main attraction the Shire River  stands out as a major attraction with its waters flowing through lush woodlands, floodplains and baobab-dotted landscapes, for filmmakers this is a stunning view for there shoots. The park has seen its efforts of conservation come to fruition with the translocation and reintroduction programs carried out in Liwonde National Park, this success has seen the park become home to elephants, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and several antelope species while predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas have repopulated and increasing in number by the day. For those looking to do documentaries that focus on the works of conservation, filming in Liwonde National Park would be an appealing idea.

Filming birds in Liwonde National Park.

For those focusing on documenting birdlife, the park stands out as a birding paradise with over 400 recorded birds species. Liwonde National Park is a combination of mopane woodlands, flooded plains, riverine habitats and wetlands found along Shire River create an ideal habitat for both resident and migratory birds. This creates for an all year round possibility for film crews to come and film the birds.

Some of the most frequently spotted birds in Liwonde include the Pel’s Fishing Owl. This owl is often seen perched near the riverbanks at dusk. Also spotted is the African Fish Eagle, whose piercing call echoes through the woods. Other notable species include; Lilian’s Lovebird, Böhm’s Bee-eater, Long-toed Lapwing, African Openbill, Black Heron, Green Twinspot, Martial Eagle, Bat Hawk, Brown-breasted Barbet and the African Skimmer among others.

Migratory bird species are easily spotted during the wet season of November to April, a variety of migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa make there way to the park when its winter in there home country making this the best period for filming and photography focused on birdlife.

Requirements to film in Liwonde National Park.

For those looking to film in Liwonde, you are required to have the official permits and clearance from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Film crews must obtain a general filming permit in advance to there arrival. The process of getting the filming permit take several weeks between 2-3 weeks.

Media accreditation is required as journalists working in Malawi for any type of production that you are working on. Which process requires us to put in a written request on your behalf and once approved we make payment and the accreditation cards are issued out.

If you intend to further use a drone during your filming, this is possible but strictly regulated by the Department of Civil Aviation; the crew will need permission for each flight they make and operators must maintain a safe distance from people, private property, and restricted airspaces. All this has to be requested in the application for drone filming.

Customs clearance of Filming equipment/gear.

All filming equipment for any type of commercial film/shoot must be cleared before it is used in the country. Malawi is not under the carnet system hence all gear must be cleared through customs. The best way to handle this is through a bonded customs agent who prepares the paperwork and also does the physical clearing on the gear on arrival. The fee charged is 5% temporary import duty of the entire gear list. At Malawi Fixers we assist you with all the logistics from permit applications and drone licensing to customs clearance and working with park authorities ensuring a seamless filming experience takes place on your side.

Visa

Entry into Malawi requires a valid passport and a visa, all arriving crew can obtain the visa upon arrival online via the Malawi eVisa system. Documents required include: Passport, passport photo, filling in the form online, yellow fever vaccination certificate and payment of the visa fees.

The best time to film in Liwonde National Park

The best time to visit in general is during the dry season of June to October when vegetation is sparse and wildlife congregates near water sources which offers excellent visibility and dramatic scenes. However, for those seeking birds and lush green scenery, the wet season of November to April is ideal with migratory species and vivid landscapes.

Why choose us for filming in Liwonde National Park.

Malwi Fixers will handle the whole arrangement on ground for filming providing you with advice on filming, securing permits for your shoot and bridging the gap between you and the authorities. Securing permits can be tedious but with our experience and connections over the years, this process is not hard for us to handle. Our fixers are also conversant is the destination and have been here multiple times hence they will guide you well. We also provide services of handling accommodation booking and guidence, transport arrangment be it on land, air or even water we can get it for you to ensure a smooth and successful filming experience in Malawi’s Liwonde National Park.