Filming in Zimbabwe
Located in the southern part of Africa, this landlocked country is a world of wonders. Best known for the magnificent Victoria Falls which are the largest falls in the world. The country is full of diverse explorations for tourists and filming crews. Places ranging from wildlife parks, to ruins and monuments .the country has a lot to offer. The national parks include Hwange, Mana pools, Chizarira, Chimanimani, Matusadona, Zambezi, Nyanga, matobo and Gonarezhou. These parks harbor a diversity of animal and bird species that are god for filming. The country also has a number of museums that have a variety of collection and artifact displays. In addition to this, it has several monuments that have provide historic evidence to some of the events that happened in the past.
Filming locations in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has various filming locations categorized in National Parks, Cities, Falls, Reserves among others.
National Parks; Chimanimani National Park, Chizarira National Park, Gonarezhou National Park, Mana pools National Park, Hwange National Park, Nyanga National Park, Matobo Hills National Park.
Cities; Bulawayo City, Harare City, Mutare City.
Falls; Victoria falls
Reserves; Cecil Kop Nature Reserve
Location filming permits in Zimbabwe
The filming permits of places in Zimbabwe vary according to the kind of location being filmed in. for example national parks are charged differently compared to other places. The filming permits also depend in the number of days for filming, the kind of project being films and the number of people on the filming crew.
At times filming on a private lease property is a better alternative compared to public property. Our local fixer will always negotiate the best rate for you. Allow enough time (up to 6 weeks) for permitting. Same goes for shoots that require exclusive use of public space, such as a project that shuts down a street in Harare. B-roll shoots that do not take exclusive use of public space do not require additional permits beyond the shoot accreditation card you need to get before you go to Zimbabwe.
Drone filming is allowed under very limited circumstances. Unauthorized photography and filming of public infrastructure such as the Munhumutapa Building, which houses the President’s offices, may be punished with imprisonment. Contact us for more information on location specific permissions. In order to film using a drone, permission from civil aviation authority of Zimbabwe is required.
Best time to shoot in Zimbabwe
For any filming project to succeed, one needs to know the climatic seasons in Zimbabwe. November to March is the rainy summer season. The end of the rainy season is the best time to film the Victoria Falls when flow is strongest. Rains stop by April / May turning the landscape green and verdant. June to October is the hot, dry season with blue skies and excellent wildlife photography options as animals congregate around limited water sources towards the end of the season making it the best time to visit the national parks. Overall the best time to film is during the dry season.
Local talent in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has a very small number of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. It is advisable to bring in crucial members of the crew from abroad.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Zimbabwe. English is spoken in the cities although most people in rural areas speak Shona and Ndebele.
The largest ethnic groups are the Shona and Ndebele people. Minority groups include the Venda, Tonga, Shangaan, Kalanga, Sotho, Ndau, Nambya, Tswana, Xhosa and Lozi people. Zimbabwe also has a small minority of white Zimbabweans. All the other necessary operators needs to be brought in from abroad.
Hiring filming Equipment in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has basic camera, grip and lighting equipment available for rent locally. Drones are also available. However South Africa is the closest major film production centre where crews and equipment can be brought in from. If you are looking to bring in film gear a temporary import permit is required. Our local fixer will arrange for a local guarantor and meet you at the airport to ensure all runs smoothly. Temporary import of gear costs is somewhere from 2-5% of the value of the gear. Send us your Kit list and our clearing agent will assist you in clearing in your equipment.
Processing Visa and work permits in Zimbabwe
You need a visa and work permit to shoot in Zimbabwe. Passport holders from Western countries can obtain visas on arrival. Accreditation is required for each visiting crew member. The ministry charges USD2000 for the shoot accreditation application, plus USD200 per crew member. The accreditation must be carried at all times when filming.
Transport and Accommodation in Zimbabwe
Major roads between tourist destinations are in an excellent condition. Rural roads are in a poorer condition although floods and severe storms are rare. Avoid travelling at night. Our Zimbabwean film fixer organizes safe and reliable 4WD transport. Police checkpoints are common throughout the country. Several international airlines service flights to Zimbabwe. Click here for more accommodation details.
Hiring a Local film fixer in Zimbabwe
Film Crew Fixer has a group of well-trained fixers to handle all your production logistics in Zimbabwe. Our fixers act as drivers and are multi lingua. They are very knowledgeable in as far as locations and filming in Zimbabwe are concerned. Depending on your film project requirement, we will assign a fixer who knows exactly what you want.
Why Film Crew Fixers for your filming project
Film Crew Fixer is one of the leading fixer Agency in Africa. We have offered all pre-production and production fixer services to hundreds of production companies all over the world and our POTIFOLIO speaks volumes. We have local offices and fixers spread all over East and Central Africa ready to assist you in processing filming permits, recces and location scouting, kit customs clearing, transport and accommodation in Zimbabwe.
