Botswana
Film Locations. Chobe and Moremi wildlife park. Central Kalahari game reserve. Mokolodi Nature reserve. Gaborone game park. Gaborone city. Bokka Dam. Mochudi Vilage. Okavango Delta - the world's largest inland delta. The Makgadikgadi Pan - a large salt plain. Baobab trees. Desert, rivers, grasslands and savannas. Victoria Falls is a 30min drive from Kasane.
Gaborone is the capital and most likely place to base your production.
Permits. Most locations are possible given time, money and the right approach. Things can move slowly in Botswana so it is recommended to apply at least 6 weeks prior to shooting for processing of permits.
Please click here for Botswana film permit form. Please contact our local fixer to proceed with the process.
When to shoot? Summer is from November to March. It is marked by high temperatures and rains that last for weeks. Winter is from May to August. It is marked by very dry weather. April / May and September/October are also dry periods. Winter is usually the best time to shoot as the sun is high, the days are clear and the wildlife is in abundance. Winter can also be quite dusty.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. South Africa is the closest established film production centre.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Botswana has mainly African talent. Most are Bantu. There are also the Basarwa (Kalahari Bushmen) and the darker Kalanga people. There is also a small Caucasian and East Indian community. Non-African talent generally needs to be brought in from abroad.
Botswana has no local pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are non-union. Key crew should be brought in from abroad. South Africa is the closest established film production centre.
Fringes. No hidden extras.
Premiums. No fixed premiums apply. We package deals for local crew / talent.
Equipment. You will need to bring in all equipment from abroad. South Africa is the closest established film production centre.
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign
commercials or films shooting in Botswana.
Film Stock. Must bring from abroad.
Post Production. No labs exist locally. Post abroad.
Visas and Work Permits. Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Contact your local Botswanan embassy or representative for more information.
Transportation Infrastructure is quite basic. Main roads are in a fair condition. Rural roads are slower going and in a poor condition. Several international airlines service flights to Botswana.
Accommodation. See here for options in Gaborone:
Peermont Mondior
Peermont Walmont
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. Botswana is a relatively safe place for foreigners to visit. Be alert to possible petty crime. Appropriate personal security measures are recommended.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Botswana, please see below:
Our production service companies, line producers and fixers have serviced TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries for:
AXA Belgium, BBC UK, Canon Singapore, Coca Cola Indonesia, Concord Canada, Dove Malaysia, Deutche Bank Germany, Dressman Sweden, Evian France, HBO USA, Heineken Ireland, Hyundai Korea, Intercontinental Hotels Global, ITC India, Kirin Japan, Kraft USA, Landrover UK, LG Korea, Meunil China, McDonalds Australia, MUFG Japan, Nikon Hong Kong, Nokia China, Orange Moblie Slovakia, Philips Netherlands, Proctor & Gamble USA, Chery Riich China, Rimowa Germany, Samsung Korea, Sinoland Hong Kong, Skipper Italy, Smirnoff USA, Sony United Arab Emirates, Stella Russia, Telefonica Spain, Vidal Sassoon China, Virgin Media UK, and much more.
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer in Botswana, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
