Commercial Photography in Akagera National Park
Commercial photography in Akagera is an amazing opportunity of taking beautiful wildlife, bird, and landscape images in Rwanda’s only savannah-dominated National Park. This 112200-hectare Protected Area is iconic, unspoiled, and still relatively known among safari lovers yet it boasts a diversity of wildlife species and dramatic landscapes. Thanks to the ease of access to the National Park (a two-and-a-half-hour-drive from Kigali City) and the extraordinary selection of incredible accommodation facilities as well as photogenic hotspots to choose from, commercial photography in Akagera is always every photographer’s mind-blowing adventure. Book Now
Important tips for perfect images during Commercial Photography in Akagera
One of the most important tips for capturing amazing images during commercial photography in Akagera is turning off/stopping the safari vehicle prior to capturing images because movements and vibrations are likely to cause unclear/blur images. Additionally, ensure that your camera is well-supported with a steady grip, especially when using telephoto lenses.
Exercise patience and persistence when up close with the wildlife and in so doing, you will capture perfect images.
The perfect time of the day for commercial photography during clear days is the break of dawn (especially in the first 2 hours of sunlight) as well as before sunset (the last 2 hours of daylight) because during these times light is softer hence providing the glow you desire during photography.
If you are taking photos during overcast days, the ideal time for capturing the perfect images is between mid-morning and mid-afternoon whereby the subject will be brought up from the background.
How much is a Commercial photography permit in Akagera?
Commercial Photography costs $300 per day, and you will need to inform the park of your intention. This cost doesn’t include entry fees (that are inclusive of the self-drive game viewing tour). Entry fees usually reduce by 50% for the second and third night then fees for the next night for up to 7 days. Commercial Photography fees don’t also include the Ranger guide fee which costs $25 per guide for a half-day tour and $40 per guide for a full-day tour.
What should you pack for commercial photography in Akagera?
While being a commercial photographer might be one of the best adventures as you discover exotic locations, incredible wildlife species, beautiful birds, and amazing landscapes, knowing what to/or not to pack can sometimes prove to be a hurdle for some travelers. Some of the essentials for your photography trip to Akagera are your compact waterproof camera bag for transporting the camera and other accessories, Virtual Private Network considering you might need to use public Wi-Fi networks hence VPN protects your credit card passwords from being hacked, a Universal Travel Adapter, a Camera/s (such as the Point-and-shoot Digital Camera, and the canon Rebel T7 Camera), a Drone (where need be, although you will need to follow Drone rules of Rwanda), a re-usable water bottle, a wind-proof travel umbrella to protect your camera from rain/sunshine, a rain jacket, a portable Hard Drive, a lightweight backpack, sunglasses, a first aid kit, toiletries (wet wipes, hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, hair comb/brush, and others), sunscreen, a laptop plus a charger, Camera battery charger, lenses, cables, and other accessories, to mention but a few.
Besides commercial photography, visitors can also undertake commercial filming, game drives, guided bush walks, hot air balloon tours, fishing tours, helicopter tours, Behind-the-scenes tours, walk the line, bird-watching tours, Camping tours, Boat rides, and community experiences in/around Akagera National Park.
Best time of the year for commercial photography in Akagera
Commercial photography in Akagera is great all year round because each month presents an exceptional experience and also, it depends on what you are interested in photographing. The months of January, February, and March are perfect for verdant sceneries, mind-blowing thunderstorms, and lots of migratory bird species.
The Months of April, May, June, and July are usually still lush in Akagera National Park, marked by cooler temperatures as well as amazing wildlife sightings. These months are therefore wonderful for wildlife photography. The months of August, September, and early October are still dry as rains haven’t started arriving hence if you are interested in capturing the most breathtaking wildlife views, this is the best time to visit Akagera National Park. Animals tend to converge around watering points and the grass is shorter thus perfect for sighting big cats like lions and leopards.
It is time to start planning your unforgettable experiences elsewhere in Rwanda including the treasures at Volcanoes National Park for your Rwanda gorilla safari or hike to Diann Fossey’s grave and pay respect to this great primatologist. Take the opportunity to get to know the locals. Warm, friendly, and unfailingly
polite, their pride in telling you about how beautiful Rwanda is while on your Rwanda safari.
