Namibia
Film Locations. Namibia is a country in southern Africa on the Atlantic coast. Known for its dramatic looks such as the Kalahari desert and Fish River Canyon, Namibia offers a variety of desert scapes, bushveld, sea and desert sand dunes, gravel plain, savanna, grass plains, national parks, game reserves with African wildlife.
Permits. Can be done within 24 hours but allow for a week.
When to shoot? Namibia's climate is typical of semi-desert terrain, hot days and cool nights. The coastal regions are cooled by the cold Benguela current, causing fog and inhibiting rainfall. Over the central plateau which is higher up, temperatures are lower.
Namibia gets an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. Only during the summer months from November to February does rain occur, mostly as heavy thunderstorms. Then the usually dry riverbeds become saturated with torrents of muddy water in a very short time. It is during this time that the land comes to life with flowers. The interior enjoys two rainy seasons. The short season is between October and December, marked by frequent thunderstorms. The longer season is from mid-January to April. Summer is from October to April with hot days and cold nights. Winter is from May to September with warm days and subzero nights.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Please contact us for more specific weather and sun path information.
Costs. The Namibian Dollar is on par with the South African Rand which offers a favorable exchange rate on the international market. On average Namibia is more or less a similar price point to South Africa. Vehicle rental is slight more expensive. Fuel and crew rates are slightly less expensive.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable. Day rates are very reasonable and negotiated on a personal basis.
Namibia offers classic bushman, black African and some European Germanic looks. Namibia's close
proximity to South Africa allows access to that significant talent pool
should you ever need to look further.
Casting facilities are rather undeveloped in Namibia so street casting is often required.
Creative talent. Namibia has no pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers.
Please contact us for recommended directors, DoP's and photographers for your project.
Crews are also non-union. Most speak English but key crew should be brought in from abroad. Usually the support crew is from Namibia but depending on how busy the industry is it may be necessary to bring some supporting crew from South Africa.
Fringes. All crew pay payroll tax unless they come from a country with a Double Taxation Agreement such as the UK or Germany. If you are from a country that has a Double Taxation Agreement and work in Namibia for less than 180 days you do not have to pay taxes in Namibia, only in your country of permanent residence. If they work in Namibia for more than 180 days then you have to pay taxes in Namibia and not the country of your permanent residence.
Premiums. Namibia works on a 10 hour day with one hour break for lunch. Overtime is charged at time and a half for the next 4 hours and double time after that. Sundays and public holidays are double time. No night premiums.
Equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. Nearby South Africa has a very good range of standard and specialized equipment.
Art department and set construction is fair in Namibia. Our local producer has built western sets, created an oasis in the desert from scratch - including a swimming pool and a traditional village.
Studios. No studios exist at present. Large warehouses can be used for stages.
Backlots. At present no backlots exist in Namibia.
Tax Incentives. There are no tax incentives for foreign feature films or commercials shooting in Namibia.
Film Stock. No film stock available locally. South Africa is the closest major production centre.
Post Production. No post production facilities exist at present. All post is done either in Johannesburg or Cape Town which is only a short two hour flight away.
Visas and Work Permits. All foreign crew require work permit for entering Namibia. Our local producer ensures the process is quick and easy. Contact your local Namibian embassy / representative for more information.
Transportation. Well maintained sealed and gravel roads. Several international airlines service flights to Namibia. Direct flights from London with Air Namibia. Direct flights from Frankfurt with Air Namibia, Lufthansa and LTU. Direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Accommodation. Recommended hotels in Windhoek include:
Hotel Heinitzburg
Hotel Thule
Windhoek Country Club Resort
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Communication. Web posted casting, scouting and videoconferencing.
Safety. On the whole Namibia is a safe place for foreign productions to shoot.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, online advertising, corporate videos, stills campaigns, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Namibia, 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 Namibia, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
