African Fixer provides full film, video and stills production services across São Tomé and Príncipe – from the soaring volcanic needle of Pico Cão Grande and the pristine rainforest and beaches of Príncipe to colonial cocoa plantations and the equator line at Rolas Island. Safe, lush and gloriously under-filmed, we manage producers, fixers, crew, permits and crew accommodation across these tiny Atlantic islands.
African Fixer connects international production companies, agencies, brands, broadcasters and photographers with trusted local producers, fixers and crew across Sao Tome and Principe.
We support TV commercials, documentaries, feature films, branded content, corporate videos, music videos and still photography campaigns with experienced local teams and reliable on-the-ground production support.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a pair of tiny, lush volcanic islands on the equator, offering dramatic rock spires, pristine rainforest, empty beaches and faded cocoa-plantation heritage – safe, beautiful and almost entirely unseen on screen.
São Tomé
São Tomé and Santo António (Príncipe)
Portuguese (official)
São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STN)
Equatorial – small volcanic islands, with a drier "gravana" June to September
June to September (the drier gravana season)
São Tomé and Príncipe
Our Sao Tome and Principe production services include:
São Tomé and Príncipe suits travel, natural-history and documentary productions, with local fixers coordinating permits and logistics on small, remote islands.
The local crew base is very small; local fixers and production assistants support on the ground, while technical crew and specialist equipment are brought in, usually via Lisbon or the region.
Productions plan to import camera, drone and specialist packages, and to arrange boats and inter-island flights.
São Tomé and Príncipe’s most extraordinary locations centre on volcanic peaks, pristine rainforest and colonial plantation heritage.
A dramatic volcanic rock needle.
Pristine rainforest and beaches.
A perfect crescent bay.
Dense equatorial rainforest.
Faded colonial estates.
Grand plantation houses.
A small Portuguese-colonial capital.
A turtle-nesting beach.
Turquoise water and baobabs.
The equator line.
A jungle waterfall.
The islands' highest peak.
Rare island species.
A coastal blowhole.
Clear, quiet coves.
Seasonal marine life.
Lush interior forest.
Everyday island life.
A small colonial fort.
The islands' signature crop.
São Tomé and Príncipe offer characterful plantation and eco-luxury lodges for travel and lifestyle productions. Access for filming is subject to approval and availability.
Cast and crew accommodation runs from plantation and eco-lodges on Príncipe to hotels in São Tomé town. We arrange group bookings, inter-island flights and boats.
Accommodation availability and rates vary by season and should be booked well in advance. African Fixer manages crew and cast bookings, transfers and per-location logistics as part of production support.
International cast and crew should confirm visa and work permission requirements before travelling. Typical documents may include a valid passport, flight details, accommodation details, invitation letter, crew list and equipment list.
A valid health insurance policy, along with proof of accommodation, a letter of invitation (if applicable), and a return travel itinerary, are all required for entry.
Approx. $200
3–7 working days
International productions may require local coordination, film permissions and supporting letters depending on the production type, locations and crew nationality, and should work with an in-country fixer or service company.
Passport, Media mission order from employer/local invitation
3–7 working days
Event-specific
Filming permits are arranged through the relevant authorities, with biosphere and protected-area permissions on Príncipe. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time; the islands are welcoming but small, with limited flights.
Drone filming requires authorisation from the relevant authority, with restrictions in protected areas. Permissions should be arranged in advance; the volcanic peaks and beaches are superb for aerials.
Professional equipment can usually be temporarily imported with the correct customs documentation. An ATA Carnet may be used where applicable, and equipment lists should be prepared in advance.
All equipment must be declared upon arrival. A deposit may be required at airport customs for clearance.
Detailed equipment list with serial numbers, Customs clearance application
Gabonese Customs Authority
3–10 days
São Tomé and Príncipe is very safe and peaceful, with the main considerations being remoteness and limited flight connections, modest infrastructure, malaria (lower on Príncipe) and equatorial rain. A local fixer keeps island logistics smooth.
Avoid isolated areas after dark. Military presence can be requested via the Ministry of the Interior for on-ground filming security.
São Tomé and Príncipe does not currently operate a formal national film cash rebate for international productions, so budgets should not rely on a rebate.
African Fixer will confirm the latest position on permit fees and any incentives during planning, and manage the permissions and island logistics that make these islands accessible.
Yes. Permits are arranged through the relevant authorities, with additional permissions for protected and sensitive areas. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time.
The local crew base is very small; fixers support on the ground and technical crew and equipment are brought in, usually via Lisbon or the region.
Pico Cão Grande, the pristine rainforest and beaches of Príncipe, and the colonial cocoa plantations.
Plantation and eco-lodges on Príncipe and hotels in São Tomé town.
Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used. Plan to import camera, drone and specialist packages.
Yes. Drone filming requires civil-aviation authorisation, with restrictions near sensitive sites and protected areas.
No. São Tomé and Príncipe does not currently offer a film rebate. We confirm permit fees before you budget.
Yes, especially for travel, natural-history and documentary work needing untouched volcanic islands and rainforest.
Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap, including permits and logistics.
Pico Cão Grande is a sheer volcanic plug that rises around 300 metres straight out of the rainforest like a giant stone needle – one of the most dramatic natural spires on Earth, on an island most of the world has never seen.
PRO TIP:
Plan around limited flight connections and the drier June-to-September gravana season, base scenic work on Príncipe’s plantation lodges, and use a local fixer to smooth inter-island logistics.
