African Fixer

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African Fixer
Senegal

Senegal

Filming in Senegal

African Fixer provides full film, video and stills production services across Senegal – from the historic slave island of Gorée and the energy of Dakar to the Pink Lake, the colonial streets of Saint-Louis and the dunes of the Lompoul desert. We manage local producers, fixers, crew, permits, equipment and crew accommodation in one of West Africa’s most stable, culturally rich and welcoming countries.

African Fixer connects international production companies, agencies, brands, broadcasters and photographers with trusted local producers, fixers and crew across Senegal.

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.

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Senegal

Why Film in Senegal?

Senegal is a vibrant, stable West African hub with a strong creative culture, offering Atlantic cities, historic heritage, deserts, mangrove deltas and lush southern forests, plus a proud music, art and fashion scene.

  • Rich heritage – the UNESCO island of Gorée and colonial Saint-Louis
  • Vibrant Dakar culture, music, art and fashion
  • Striking natural sites – the Pink Lake and Lompoul dunes
  • Mangrove deltas, savanna, beaches and southern palm forests
  • One of West Africa’s most stable democracies
  • Strong Teranga (hospitality) culture and welcoming crews
  • Good Atlantic access as a regional gateway
  • Growing local film and audiovisual industry

Production Services

Our Senegal production services include:

  • Local Producers
  • Film Fixers
  • Production Management
  • Film, Video & Stills Crew
  • Camera Equipment
  • Lighting & Grip
  • Drone Operators
  • Location Scouting
  • Film Permits
  • Casting
  • Transport & Logistics
  • Crew & Cast Accommodation
  • Security
  • Catering

Crew & Equipment

Senegal has a growing, capable crew base with a strong creative culture, experienced in documentary, commercial, music-video, fashion and stills work, centred on Dakar.

Available crew includes local producers, fixers, production managers, camera and drone operators, sound, art department, stylists and production assistants, with senior technical crew and specialist gear supplemented from the region or Europe when needed.

Camera, lighting and grip equipment is available in Dakar for many productions; larger or specialist packages may be imported, often via Europe.

Top Filming Locations

Luxury Hotel & Resort

Senegal’s better hotels, coastal resorts and desert camps suit hospitality, lifestyle and cultural productions. Access for filming is subject to approval and availability.

  • Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Sea Plaza – Modern seafront hotel on the Corniche.
  • Terrou-Bi, Dakar – Beach resort and casino in the city.
  • King Fahd Palace, Dakar – Large landmark hotel and grounds.
  • Pullman Dakar Teranga – Central high-rise business hotel.
  • Lompoul desert camps – Tented camps among the orange dunes.
  • Hôtel de la Poste, Saint-Louis – Historic colonial-era hotel.

Crew & Cast Accommodation

Cast and crew accommodation is strongest in Dakar, with colonial hotels in Saint-Louis and desert camps at Lompoul. We arrange group bookings, transfers and regional logistics.

  • Luxury (talent, directors, key clients)
    Radisson Blu / Terrou-Bi, Dakar – Premium bases for talent and clients.
  • Mid-range (main crew, production team)
    Dakar: Pullman Teranga, King Fahd Palace and Novotel – Reliable city hotels.
    Saint-Louis: colonial-era hotels – Characterful bases for northern shoots.
    Saly (Petite Côte): beach resorts – Convenient coastal crew accommodation.
  • Budget & serviced options (extended crew, longer shoots)
    Dakar guesthouses and serviced apartments – Value options for larger crews.
    Lompoul desert camps and regional auberges – Practical bases near locations.

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.

Best Time to Shoot

  • November to May – Dry season with the most reliable shooting conditions.
  • December to February – Cooler, comfortable conditions, ideal for city and coastal work.
  • June to October – Rainy season brings greener landscapes but heavier showers, especially in the south.
  • The Casamance is lushest after the rains but easiest to access in the dry season.
Visa Requirements

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.

International Crew Accreditation

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.

General Film Permit

Filming permits are arranged through the Ministry of Culture and relevant authorities, best handled by a local fixer. Heritage sites such as Gorée and Saint-Louis, and protected natural areas, require specific permissions. Allow lead time and coordinate accreditation for international crew.

Drone Permit

Commercial drone filming requires authorisation from the civil aviation authority (ANACIM) and should be arranged in advance, particularly near airports, cities and sensitive sites.

Equipment Customs Clearance

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.

Safety and Security

Senegal is one of West Africa’s safest and most stable countries, with good infrastructure in Dakar and a strong hospitality culture. Standard urban precautions apply, some southern and border areas warrant local advice, and malaria precautions are recommended. Private medical facilities are best in Dakar.

Rebates & Incentives

Senegal does not currently offer a cash rebate for foreign productions. A national support fund, FOPICA (Fonds de Promotion de l’Industrie Cinématographique et Audiovisuelle), primarily supports Senegalese and co-production projects rather than incoming service work.

African Fixer will confirm the latest position on any incentives, co-production routes, permit fees and reliefs during planning, and manage permits and logistics on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Permits are arranged through the Ministry of Culture and relevant authorities, with specific permissions for Gorée, Saint-Louis and protected areas.

Yes. Senegal has a growing, capable crew base with a strong creative culture, and specialist crew or gear can be brought in when needed.

Île de Gorée, Dakar, the Pink Lake, colonial Saint-Louis and the Lompoul dunes, plus the mangrove deltas and lush Casamance.

Hotels and beach resorts in Dakar and Saly, colonial hotels in Saint-Louis and desert camps at Lompoul, with transfers arranged.

Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used, alongside local camera and grip packages.

Yes. Drone filming requires ANACIM authorisation, arranged in advance.

No foreign cash rebate currently; the FOPICA fund mainly supports local and co-productions. We confirm the latest position before you budget.

Yes, especially for heritage, documentary, music, fashion and cultural work, and it is safe, stable and welcoming.

Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap.

Did you know?

Lake Retba earns its “Pink Lake” name from salt-loving micro-algae that turn the water bubble-gum pink in the right light, while local harvesters wade in to gather salt by hand – a surreal, instantly striking location just outside Dakar.

PRO TIP:

Shoot in the November-to-May dry season, pair Dakar and Gorée with the Pink Lake, Saint-Louis and the Lompoul dunes for variety in one trip, and lean on Senegal’s strong music and fashion scene for authentic local talent and styling.

want to film in Senegal? Contact us Today!

Makhtar - Senegal

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Importing film, broadcast and photographic equipment is handled with an ATA Carnet for temporary admission. African Fixer arranges carnet processing, customs clearance and equipment logistics as part of full production support.