Filming in Kenya: How to Film Successfully

Kenya's Popular Locations

Kenya is a country full of different and beautiful places ideal for filming. It has beaches on the coast with palm trees, white sand, coral reefs, and swampy river areas. Then there’s Tsavo, a huge wild place with flat grasslands, hills, volcanoes, and awesome waterfalls called Lugard Falls.

In Tsavo, you’ll find Mzima Springs. There’s a spot underwater where you can watch hippos swim. Amboseli is another area with big open plains and a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. It looks amazing in the morning when elephants walk across and the mountain turns purple with pink snow. In Samburu, you can see red sunsets with palm trees and leopards hunting, while the dry north has a river called Ewaso Nyiro flowing through tough, pretty land where nomadic people move with their camels.

Kenya also sits on the Great Rift Valley, a giant crack in the earth that runs from Jordan to Mozambique. This area has lakes like Naivasha, which is full of birds, Nakuru with its pink flamingos, Bogoria with steam vents, and Turkana, a super long lake with crocodiles. There are forests too, like the thick Kakamega jungle in the west, the misty Aberdares in the center, and Mount Kenya’s woods with glaciers. You can get great views from the western highlands, Mount Elgon near Uganda, and Shimba Hills, which look all the way to the ocean. Kenya has wildlife, beaches, mountains, and different cultures, making it a great spot for filming because it’s got so much to offer.

Is Filming in Kenya Safe?

The production must follow the law to keep everyone safe and healthy by taking practical steps, following rules like The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 (OSHA). A medic or someone trained in first aid must always be on set during filming. The production needs to provide proper protective clothing for the cast and crew when needed. If explosives are used, they must be supervised by the Directorate of Mines, Explosives Inspectorate. If fire is used, it must be managed by the Disaster Management Departments in the local County Governments.

Filming in Kenya can be safe if you plan carefully and stick to local rules. It’s important to understand any risks and take action, like getting permits and being cautious around restricted or sensitive areas.

Filming Wildlife in Kenya

To film wildlife in Kenya’s National Parks, you need a permit from the Kenya Film Commission—submit a letter, form, script, and schedule. It costs Ksh. 5,000 ($50) for small projects or Ksh. 15,000 ($150) for bigger ones, processed in a few days.

You also need a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) permit:

• Ksh. 8,000 ($80) for up to 5 people,
• Ksh. 12,000 ($115) for 6-10, or
• Ksh. 20,000 ($200) for over 10, for a week.

Foreign crew require an Immigration special pass, around Ksh. 2,000 ($20) each.

Park entry fees are about $70/day per person, plus Ksh. 400 ($4) daily for a liaison officer.

Equipment fees are 1% of its value or Ksh. 30,000 ($300), whichever is less. Apply online or in person and pay the fees.

Filming with Drones in Kenya

All drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems or UAS) must be registered with the KCAA before you can use them in Kenya, no matter the size or purpose. As a foreigner, you need to apply for this through the KCAA, providing details like your identity, the drone’s specs (make, model, serial number), and proof of ownership.

You can’t just bring a drone into Kenya. You need an import permit from the KCAA first. This involves submitting an application with your drone’s details and purpose (like filming), and they’ll issue a permit if approved. Without it, customs won’t let your drone in.

To fly a drone for filming, you need a Remote Pilot License (RPL) from the KCAA. Foreigners can apply, but you’ll need to show you’re trained—either with a certificate from a KCAA-approved school or a valid license from your home country that meets international standards (ICAO). If your foreign license isn’t recognized, you might need to take a test or training in Kenya

You can only fly drones in daylight and where you can see them directly—no flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) unless you get special approval. You can’t fly above 400 feet or near people (less than 50 meters away) or crowds unless authorized. Filming in restricted areas like National Parks or near airports (within 10 km) is banned without permission

For filming in places like National Parks or for commercial purposes (like a movie), you need extra approval from the KCAA and possibly other authorities, like the Kenya Wildlife Service. You’ll apply with details of your flight plan, location, and purpose. They might say no if it’s risky or sensitive

You must have third-party liability insurance for your drone. This covers damage or injury it might cause while filming. Foreigners need to show proof of this insurance when registering or applying for permits.

Breaking these rules—like flying without a license or in a no-fly zone—can get you fined up to Ksh. 1 million ($10,000) or jailed for a year, or both. They can also confiscate your drone.

More About Visas and Work Permits

Foreigners planning to visit Kenya need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they arrive, unless they’re from an East African Community country. You do this online at www.etakenya.go.ke.

You need a passport valid for at least 6 months, your flight details, and where you’re staying (like a hotel booking or an invitation letter if with friends). It costs $30, paid by card, and takes about 3 days to get approved, so don’t leave it to the last minute. If you’re coming from a place with yellow fever risk, you’ll also need a certificate showing you’re vaccinated. Once you get the eTA, print it or keep it on your phone to show when you land.

Filming in Public Places

Kenya’s making it simpler to film in public by getting rid of fees for shooting in places like the Central Business District (CBD) and towns. You don’t have to pay anything extra to use your camera on streets or in open public areas now. It’s a move to help filmmakers, whether local or from outside, so they can record everyday life in Kenya.

You still need a filming license from the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) and will handle safety yourself. Think of hiring private security if there’s a crowd to keep things under control.

Kenya's Unique Weather

Kenya’s weather is pretty varied because of its geography, and that’s what makes it stand out for filming. It sits on the equator, so it's just wet and dry seasons.

The coast, like Mombasa, is hot and humid all year, with temperatures around 25-30°C (77-86°F), perfect for beach shoots with steady sunlight. Inland, places like Nairobi sit higher up at 1,700 meters (5,577 feet), so it’s cooler, averaging 20-25°C (68-77°F), and feels mild most days.

The dry season (June to October) brings clear skies and less rain, while the wet seasons (March to May and October to December) can mean muddy roads but lush, green landscapes.

Up north, it’s arid and hot, hitting 35°C (95°F) or more, and in the highlands like Mount Kenya, it drops to 10-15°C (50-59°F) with even some snow at the top.