Filming on Lake Assal Djibouti
Lake Assal is a crater lake located in the Danakil Desert in central Djibouti. It is the lowest point in Africa at 150m below sea level. The wet section of the lake is a body of extremely salty water fed by hot springs and the dry section features a white salt bed from which lake water evaporated over the years.
Filming on Lake Assal gives you an opportunity to shoot the beautiful landscape of the Lake as well as how salt is extracted in slabs from this section. One of the most iconic feature to cast is the alien landscape situated on a geological depression known as the Afar Triple Junction on Lake Assal, where three of Earth’s tectonic plates are pulling apart, causing some unusual, often surreal, natural phenomena. The lake environments are also home to the Afar and Issa people who have long lived and worked in the area.
Requirements and fees to film on Lake Assal
You will need to get permission to be allowed to film on Lake Assal in Djibouti. Contact us here and we will help you secure a filming permit for filming in Djibouti.
Unauthorized filming, photography or any other recording of government buildings, military installations and key infrastructure such as airports and border controls, bridges, and public buildings, as well as of religious sites such as mosques is illegal while filming in Djibouti. Penalties may include arrest, fines and confiscation of your filming equipment. Please contact us here for more information on filming on Lake Assal.
On top of the above you will need to cover accommodation, Visas and work permits, fixer fees and transport for a successful shoot on Lake Assal as below;
Djibouti Visa and work permit Advice
You will need to purchase the tourist visa or business visa to allow you entry in Djibouti. Crew of all nationalities travelling to Djibouti can obtain a visa on arrival. The visa must be applied for at your closest Djiboutian embassy prior to travelling. The visa is valid for up to 30 days. US passport holders see here for more information.
Journalists require a letter of accreditation approved in advance by the Ministry of Communication and Culture Djibouti. U.S. journalists and other journalists working for U.S.-based media institutions should contact the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs section at least two weeks prior to travel to facilitate this accreditation process. Journalists who fail to receive an accreditation letter risk arrest, seizure of equipment and/or expulsion. Proof of yellow fever vaccination and a COVID-19 free certificate may be asked if arriving from affected countries. Visa, work permit and other entry and exit conditions such as customs and quarantine regulations can change regularly. We advise you contact your local South Sudan embassy or Contact us here for the latest travel information to Djibouti.
Vehicle Hire Services in Djibouti
Film Crew Fixers Ethiopia will help you organize transport for film crews to film on Lake Assal depending on their interest, budget and the nature of roads in such selected locations to film. We recommend Customized 4x4WD Land Cruisers. For us to estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to establish mileage and distance to be travelled.
Film Fixers in Djibouti to help you film on Lake Assal
All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Djibouti and are thus conversant with the local situations and are able to provide relevant information and fix any situation on ground. These act as intermediaries between you and our office while on location in Djibouti. Contact us here if you are in need of a Film fixer in Djibouti to help you film on Lake Assal.
Where to Stay during filming on Lake Assal
Lodge options to stay in during filming on Lake Assal range from Budget, mid-range to luxury options. You will choose what to stay in depending on your interests and budget. Contact us here for booking and reservation details.
What is the best time to film on Lake Assal
Filming on Dikhil Region is done throughout the year and the best time is during the dry season between June to September.
Why use Film crew fixers?
Film crew Fixers is a local fixer company in East Africa, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Ethiopia and Djibouti. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides in Djibouti. We have all relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies in Djibouti to make sure that accreditation and filming permits for filming in Djibouti are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming on Lake Assal.
