WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILMING ON LOCATION IN AFRICA
Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth’s total surface area and 20% of its land area. With 1.3 billion people as of 2018, it accounts for about 16% of the world’s human population. The languages spoken on the continent are English; French; Portuguese; Swahili; Arabic; 1250–3000 native languages.Africa’s climate is dominated by desert conditions along vast stretches of its northern and southern fringes. The central portion of the continent is wetter, with tropical rainforests, grasslands, and semi-arid climates.
Over the next couple of weeks our location scouts will share insights into some of the most beautiful film locations in the world.
ZANZIBAR
Whether you’re in search of beautiful beaches or looking for an Indian Ocean location , this beautiful island off the eastern coast of Africa has lots to offer. Zanzibar City’s UNESCO World Heritage , Stone Town, where you’ll find the ruins of a 15th-century palace and a graveyard with ties to Zanzibar’s former Arab royals, the spice route in the countryside and Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park are a few more filming spots worth exploring.
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is roughly twice as deep and wide as Niagara Falls, making it one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls. To see the natural wonder at its prime, plan to film here in April when the region’s rainy season has concluded. Popular vantage points include the Knife-Edge Bridge, Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA
Filmmakers come face to face with elephants, giraffes, zebras and wildebeests, in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The price will be steep, but a journey here affords an unforgettable experience. Accommodation for international film crews that won’t cost an arm and a leg is available at the park’s campgrounds instead of staying at a high-end safari lodge or luxury tented camp. Plan on filming on location in January, February or between June and September for the best game-viewing conditions
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, KENYA
Home to cheetahs, elephants, lions, wildebeests, hippos and more, Masai Mara National Reserve is one of Kenya’s premier spots to see wildlife. This protected area’s 373,100 acres of rolling grasslands. Game viewing option other than the conventional worth considering is filming from a hot air balloon. To increase your chances of spotting the big five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes) and other migrating animals, time your filming for between mid-July and mid-September.
