LOCATION: NAMIBIA

Filming in Namibia

One of the lesser-known countries in Southern Africa, Namibia location options open up opportunities for television and film production – as well as locations for television commercials and stills shoots. The country is an enormous, politically stable country on Africa’s south-west coast. This natural wilderness offers unique desert scenery and spectacular landscapes, and because it boasts one of the lowest population densities in the world, it’s a perfect destination for survival-type shoots.

Film Fixers is your perfect partner if you are looking for a Namibia fixer. We know the country, its people, and its hidden beauty.

Contact us for more information on Namibia as well as details on the required film visas and film permits.

Customs and Equipment

Namibia forms part of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) which means that they recognize the ATA Carnet process. It also means that there is free movement between the members of the SACU (which includes South Africa, Botswana, and others) on the same ATA Carnet.

Namibia does not offer reliable access to production equipment – specifically cameras and sound equipment, so it is highly recommended that you bring specialist equipment in, or source it from neighbouring South Africa. Film Fixers has relationships/accounts with most major equipment rental companies, at competitive prices (we do not mark up), so we can assist in this regard.

We also have strategic partnerships with operators who can provide off-road vehicles, camping equipment, and equipment to set up strategic bases in the wilderness which, coupled with our own equipment, can provide the required degree of self-sufficiency.

Access and Affordability

There are a few direct longhaul flights to Namibia – mainly from Europe, but most people stop over at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) Johannesburg, South Africa, where you can catch their connecting flights to either Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, or Walvis Bay Airport (WVB / FYWB) which on the west coast of Namibia. Most major car rental companies are represented in the major hubs in Namibia, supplemented by specialist vehicle hire companies offering off-road vehicles and equipment. Whilst Namibia has a fairly extensive network of roads, it must be remembered that the bulk of these are dirt roads. They are very well maintained but it does provide for long, hot, dusty drives – nothing is close in Namibia! It is also important that enough forethought is given to pre-production planning – fuel stations are few and far between, as are opportunities to get refreshments. Provision also needs to be made for potential emergencies – specifically in terms of provisions (water and food). This is a very harsh climate – which is why it is so sought-after!

Weather

Namibia has semi-desert terrain with high temperatures during the day and cold at night. Along the western coast, there is higher rainfall. The hot rainy seasons are from mid-October to April. Winter is usually ideal for filming as the weather is cool and relatively stable.

Why Namibia

  • Relatively easy access

  • Remote, wilderness locations

  • Consistent, reliable weather

  • Proactive host country

Top Film Locations

Namib Desert – Breathtaking, vast expanse of nothing – yet so full of life. It is the oldest desert in the world – has been in existence for over 43 million years, and has remained largely unchanged for over 2 million years.

Caprivi – thin strip of Namibia sandwiched between Angola and Botswana – only exists (politicall) because the German masters thought the Zambezi would go all the way to the ocean!

Etosha – a massive National Park centred around the Etosha Pan. For obvious reasons, in arid climate, Etosha provides the highest concentration of wildlife around available water.

Skeleton Coast – cold water, forbidding climate, unforgiving terrain – this massive stretch of the Namibian coastline is littered with skeletons of animals – and ships.

Kuiseb Canyon – spectacular canyon that divides the Namib Desert, carved by the Kuiseb River, and home to a surprising array of plant and animal life – and home to the Topnaars, the descendents of the Strandlopers (better known as the ‘First People’).

Fish River Canyon – 2ndlargest canyon on earth and the largest in Africa – the canyon is a massive ravine of over 180km in length, with a depth of over 500m in parts.

Swakopmund – the second-largest city in Namibia, located in the Namib desert, and carries a quaint German influence as a reminder of the past.

Sosussvlei – a massive salt and clay pan surrounded by some of the highest, red, dunes in the world. A truly spectacular landmark.

Twyfelfontein – Amazing location – has the biggest concentrations of petroglyphs (rock art) in Africa. The fact that most of this rock art features rhino makes you think…

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