Tanzania fixer in Dar er salaam
Are you looking for a Tanzania fixer in Dar es salaam to handle all your logistics when shooting a film or documentary in any part of Tanzania? Look nowhere as our Tanzania fixer in Dar er salaam is here to make your pre-production and production process as smooth as it can be.
Film Crew Fixers is your most trusted fixer agency with well-trained film fixers from all over Africa and Tanzania as one of our top filming locations.
Of recent Tanzania is attracting a host of filmmakers and becoming a hub of documentary making. Top Hollywood films, National Geographic documentaries, BBC and so many production companies have made Tanzania their own when it comes to shooting films.
Requirements to film in Tanzania
All professional filmmakers are required to possess a special filming permit from the respective government body at a fee. Find a brief below on how to acquire a special filming permit for your upcoming shoot. Our resident Tanzania fixer in Dar er salaam will take care of all hassles.
Tanzania special filming permit processing.
As earlier pointed out, all professional filmmakers, video and documentary makers, and journalists, must gain a special filming permit.
There several permits required but the most important one is the special filming permit issued by Tanzania film board.
For filming in Tanzania, several permits are required
About Tanzania Film Board
This is the most important permit, and one which you must get first. It is only after receiving this permission that you will be eligible to be granted other permits.
All production companies looking forward to film in Tanzania must pay
- A fee of $1000 to Tanzania Film Board. This permit must be applied for 30 days before you start filming and it may take up to 3 months so ensure that you contact our film fixer in Tanzania at least 4-5 months in advance.
- A fee of $3000 can be paid by those who want their special filming permit processed within one week or less.
Please note that this permit is valid for three months upon which you will need to renew to extend your shooting time in any part of Tanzania mainland.
Requirements for Tanzania filming permit
All film makers, journalists and documentary makers applying for this permit must provide the below information to Tanzania Film Board.
- Names of all members on the film crew
- Synopsis of the documentary or film
- Names and details of Tanzania nationals to be involved in the documentary or film
- All locations to be filmed
- Estimated dates, months and year of filming
- You must apply for a business visa not tourist visa
Since inception, Film Crew Fixers has assisted many organizations and companies to acquire these permits. Our team is aware of all the pitfalls and intricacies of the procedure, and since we are based in Tanzania, our associates can secure the permit quickly and with no hassle. We have successfully received permits for the Red Bull projects, National Geographic Russia, various commercial photoshoots, journalists and other media projects.
Application forms should be endorsed by your country’s Tanzanian Embassy. If you do not have a Tanzanian Embassy in your country, then choose the Embassy that covers your country (usually found in a neighboring nation) to complete this application.
Copy of the film to be provided
All filmmakers should provide a free copy of the film to the Tanzania Film Board after the filming is completed.
What our Tanzania fixer say about filming in National Parks
All those intending to film in National Park must apply for another filming permit from the Tanzania National Park Authority (TANAPA). The following fees are currently applicable but subject to change
- $300 USD per day for Serengeti National Park
- $180 USD per day for Gombe and Mahale Parks
- $250 USD per day for all other parks.
The above fees include camping and conservation but excludes VAT which is 18% of the total amount. The above fees must be paid online as will be advised by our Tanzania fixer.
Ngorongoro filming permit as advised by our Tanzania fixer
While Ngorongoro crate is inside Serengeti National Park is not part of the National Park filming fees. A separate fee must be paid. $300 per day will have to be paid to film in Ngorongoro crate. This includes camping and guiding but excludes vehicle entry fees.
Copy of the film to be presented
All filmmakers should provide a free copy of the film to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority after the filming is completed.
Out Tanzania fixer view on equipment importation
One of the things filming crews often forget to take into account when planning projects in Tanzania is getting equipment to the filming location. Further, it can sometimes make frustrating misunderstandings when passing through customs at the airport upon arrival. If a customs official does not allow film equipment to be imported into the country, then all the other documentation and work beforehand could be for naught.
In order to avoid the unlawful sale of such equipment (duty-free), there is an imposed bond system: upon entry to Tanzania, the crew will need to leave a 100% market-value security deposit of the imported equipment. This security deposit will be held as a bond and returned when the crew completes their filming and shows proof of returning with such equipment back to their home country (as they pass back through customs).
The return of this deposit should not be a complication, however to avoid any frustrations or delays, it is a good idea to ask a reputable, local company to assist in the communications with the airport and customs authorities.
Film Crew Fixers has experience with film crews and dealing with customs officials, including for bonds in such cases and we feel confident in our ability to help with these processes.
Alternatively, a licensed broker can be used, but you will be required to pay 10% of the equipment value to the broker, meaning you will not receive your full deposit back.
If you’re unsure of a qualified, licensed broker to deal with these matters, you can turn to a reputable tour operator, such as Altezza that has experience with these things.
To make things easier it is strongly advised to prepare the list of equipment brought, indicating its market value and serial numbers of each piece of equipment. This will save you time, money and hassle in the long-run.
Drone importation, hire and flying rules and regulation in Tanzania
Using drones in Tanzania is strictly regulated. Each project involving drones should receive approval from several authorities. This applies to all drones, even small, private machines.
Please note: unless the permits described below are prepared and presented upon arrival, customs officers at the airport will impound the drone.
Permission from Tanzania Film Board is Necessary
Before applying for drone permission, the film crew should get a permit from Tanzania Film Board (see above).
Permission from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority
To get this permission one should apply to Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority office in Dar es Salaam. An application form and a cover letter are necessary. Make sure to prepare the following information:
- Type of drone, serial number, etc.
- License or certificate of the pilot, issued by the competent national authority and authorizing a person to operate the drone
- CV of the pilot, who will be operating the drone
Permission from the Ministry of Defense
Finally, the permit from the Ministry of Defense is needed. Applications should be forwarded to the Ministry in Dodoma.
The Ministry of Defense shall assign an army officer to accompany your filming crew everywhere you go. He will be making sure that the drone is not flying in the restricted areas. We have done such projects in the past, and we can confidently say that these officers are all very intelligent, polite and unobtrusive. You will hardly notice their presence when doing your work. They are also excellent companions and very good people to have a talk with. Mind, however, that under the regulations the filming crew will be responsible for covering the officer’s travelling expenses, accommodation and meals.
Permission from the Tanzania National Parks Authority, if intending to shoot in the National Parks
If you are planning to film in the national parks, it is important to secure a special permission for drone filming from TANAPA and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). For that to happen one should produce all other permits, i.e. from the Tanzania Film Board, TCAA and Ministry of Defense. Then TANAPA and NCAA will provide permissions. There are filming fees payable, as well.
An unusual requirement in the national parks (including Mount Kilimanjaro) is a requirement that drones not fly below a certain altitude. This is to avoid disturbing the wild animals with the noise of the drone.
Why is operating a drone so heavily regulated?
Many people ask us about the reasons for these heavy regulations. The reason is very simple – it is the presence of military installations and certain objects of critical infrastructure.
Filming of certain locations and persons is restricted
Military bases, police stations, government facilities and other objects of critical infrastructure are never allowed to be filmed. This applies to the East African Court of Human Rights based in Arusha, as well as banks and some other institutions. You should not film members of the Tanzania People’s Defense force (army), police officers, government and members of the clergy, unless you have express permission.
Filming or interviewing of minors is allowed only when a parent or a legal custodian (e.g. school director or parent) gives explicit permission.
Why Film Crew Fixers
Film Crew Fixers Ltd is one of the leading Line Production companies in Africa. We have a team of dedicated line producers, Directors, and Field producers ready to attend to all your production requirements in Tanzania and the entire Africa. We have handled many organizations hence the experience we have gained is enough to guarantee you a successful shoot. Feel free to contact our production fixer based in Dar es salaam on email or phone.
