Filming the Kariba Dam

Filming the Kariba dam. The Kariba Dam is a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The dam stands 128 metres tall and 579 metres long. The dam forms Lake Kariba, which extends for 280 kilometres and holds 185 cubic kilometres of water.

The Kariba dam is a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Kariba DamRequirements to film the Kariba Dam

You will need to be accredited by the Zambian Ministry of Information serves to get the filming permit to shoot in public locations across the country. Once Media Accreditation is approved, our Zambian fixer can go ahead and apply for permits to film in national parks. Permits to film in national parks take about 5 days to process and cost USD60 per crew member per day.

Shoots that require control of public space or filming in locations such as public markets require additional permission. Our Zambian fixer will negotiate permission and fees on the local level and make sure the appropriate level of police support is in place for controlling traffic.

There are currently no restrictions to drone filming in Zambia. Please contact us for location specific information. 

Zambia Press Accreditation

The Media Accreditation in Zambia costs US$50 per crew member, is valid for 30 days, and takes anywhere from 5 to 10 working days to process. All film crew members are by law supposed to be accredited by the Zambian Ministry of Information serves. Local filming agents and Private production companies or individuals are requested to submit their applications through a local agent registered with the ministry. This requirement is mandatory for all applications to make feature films or documentaries in Zambia. Each crew member is required to fill a Zambia Film License Form (which we normally send to you) with all details, scan and send it back to us with a copy of his/her passport as well as one photograph to be put on his/her filming license. On top of this, we will need a letter from the filming company detailing who they are, why they are filming, where they will be filming and details of crew members on this shoot. We will attach this letter to all details provided and send them to the Zambian Ministry of Information serves for film license processing. This takes 4-5 working days to have these film licenses ready. 

Zambia Visas & Work Permits Advice

Each crew members needs to purchase the tourist visa. Passport holders from Western countries can obtain visas on arrival in Zambia. Each visiting crew member must have Media Accreditation from the Zambian Ministry of Information to film in Zambia. A synopsis, crew passport information pages and photos, gear list, and a completed application must be submitted to our Zambian fixer who will include an invitation letter and lodge the application on behalf of the visiting crew. Once processed, either originals or copies of the Media Accreditation are sent to crew members to present at the port of entry. Originals must be kept on hand during filming. The Media Accreditation costs USD50 per crew member, is valid for 30 days, and takes anywhere from 5 to 10 working days to process.

Zambia Vehicle Hire Services

We will help you organize transport for film crews to film the Kariba Dam depending on their chosen filming location interest, budget and the nature of roads in such selected locations to film in the park. We recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers which costs from USD200-250 per vehicle per day with Driver/Fixer or 4×4 Safari Vans from USD200 per Van per day with driver/Fixer. 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. 

Fixers in Zambia to help you film the Kariba Dam

All our vehicles come with drivers who act as location fixers and most of them have been to almost all parts of Zambia 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 Zambia.  If you’re looking for a Zambia location fixer and scout the Kariba Dam, we have produced and assisted production in multiple locations across Zambia. 

Customs and Equipment in Zambia

We recommend you bring your equipment! Zambia does not have any equipment rental houses so you will need to bring in all gear from abroad. South Africa is the closest major production centre for standard and specialized camera, grip and lighting equipment. If you are planning to bring in your own equipment and only have a small amount of gear, such as a Canon 5D, you may be able to get away with just bringing it in as personal effects. The moment you start looking like a film shoot (ie: bringing in lenses, heavy tripods, lights, several boxes of gear), your gear will require customs clearance. Our Zambian fixer can arrange gear importation through a customs clearance agent. We will require a full gear list including serial numbers for the application. Gear importation takes about 5 days to process and costs USD800. Our Zambian fixer or the customs agent will meet you at the airport to ensure everything runs smoothly. We will handle the paperwork and help you bring your gear through customs clearance via a customs clearing agent which takes about 5 days to process. 

What is the best time to film the Kariba Dam?

Filming the Kariba Dam is done throughout the year, Zambia has three distinct seasons. December to April is the hot, wet season. May to August is the cool, dry season. September to November is the hot, dry season. 

Why use Film crew fixers to film the Kariba Dam

Film crew Fixers is a local fixer company based in East Africa. We assist filming companies and Production agencies to film in Zambia and other African countries for the last 10 years. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides. We have all relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies to make sure that accreditation and filming permits in Zambia are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know for successful filming the Kariba Dam.