Tanzania
Why Film in Tanzania?
Tanzania is one of Africa’s definitive safari and landscape destinations, home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro and a chain of remote wilderness parks, with strong safari logistics and an experienced fixer base out of Arusha.
- The Serengeti and the year-round Great Migration
- Ngorongoro Crater – wildlife in a vast volcanic caldera
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak
- Baobabs, elephants and remote wilderness parks
- Olduvai Gorge, the “Cradle of Mankind”
- Rich Maasai and Swahili-coast cultures
- Strong safari, aerial and bush logistics
- A classic, English-friendly East African production base
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Capital City
Dodoma
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Main Cities
Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Dodoma and Zanzibar City
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Main Languages
Swahili and English (both official)
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Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
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Weather
Tanzania has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 30°C. The country experiences two main seasons: a dry season and a wet season.
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Climate
Tropical coast, temperate highlands and semi-arid plains; dry seasons June to October and December to February
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Best Time To Shoot
June to October and December to February (dry; migration June to October)
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Main Production Hubs
Arusha (safari), Dar es Salaam and the northern circuit
Production Services
Our Tanzania 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
Tanzania is superb for wildlife, documentary, travel and commercial productions, with experienced safari fixers and bush-logistics teams based mainly in Arusha.
A local crew base of producers, fixers, guides, drivers and production assistants is available; senior technical crew and specialist equipment are generally brought in from Kenya, South Africa or abroad.
Productions plan for internal flights, 4×4 safari vehicles, mobile camps and park logistics, and typically import camera, long-lens and drone packages.
Top Filming Locations
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Serengeti National Park
The Great Migration and endless plains.
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Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest peak and glaciers.
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Ngorongoro Crater
A wildlife-packed volcanic caldera.
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Tarangire National Park
Giant baobabs and elephant herds.
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Lake Tanganyika & Lake Victoria shores
Great-lakes scenery.
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Mafia Island
Whale sharks and coral reefs.
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Dar es Salaam
Coastal city, harbour and markets.
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Ruaha National Park
Remote, rugged big-game wilderness.
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Lake Manyara
Tree-climbing lions and flamingo shallows.
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Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai
Blood-red soda lake and a sacred volcano.
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Olduvai Gorge
The "Cradle of Mankind".
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Nyerere National Park (Selous)
River safaris in a vast reserve.
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Mahale Mountains
Chimpanzees above Lake Tanganyika.
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Gombe Stream
Jane Goodall's famous chimpanzee forest.
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Katavi National Park
Remote, wild and uncrowded.
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Udzungwa Mountains
Rainforest and waterfalls.
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Maasai villages & culture
Iconic East African imagery.
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Rift Valley escarpments & Empakaai Crater
Highland drama.
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Mara River crossings
The Migration's crocodile-lined climax.
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The Swahili coast & dhow sailing
Indian Ocean culture and craft.
Luxury Lodge & Camp Options
Tanzania offers outstanding safari lodges and tented camps for luxury travel and wildlife productions. Access for filming is subject to approval, park permits and availability.
- Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti – Luxury lodge overlooking a waterhole.
- Singita Grumeti – World-class private-reserve lodges in the western Serengeti.
- Beyond Serengeti & Ngorongoro lodges – Premium safari properties.
- Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Opulent lodge on the crater rim.
- Gibb’s Farm, Karatu – Historic coffee-farm lodge and gardens.
- Arusha Coffee Lodge – Plantation lodge and gateway base.
- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro – Waterfront city luxury.
Crew & Cast Accommodation
Cast and crew accommodation runs from safari lodges and tented camps at the locations to hotels in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, with mobile camps for remote parks. We arrange group bookings, internal flights, transfers and bush logistics.
- Luxury (talent, directors, key clients)
Four Seasons Serengeti / Singita Grumeti – Premium safari bases for talent and clients.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Standout luxury on the crater rim. - Mid-range (main crew, production team)
Arusha: Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha Coffee Lodge and Gran Meliá – Reliable gateway hotels.
Northern circuit: mid-tier lodges and tented camps – Comfortable crew bases near the parks.
Dar es Salaam: Serena, Johari Rotana and Hyatt Regency – City hotels for coastal work. - Budget & serviced options (extended crew, longer shoots)
Arusha and Karatu guesthouses and lodges – Value options for larger crews.
Mobile tented camps – Essential and arranged for remote parks such as Katavi and Ruaha.
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
- June to October – Dry season and peak Migration river crossings – the flagship window.
- December to February – A second dry spell with calving season on the southern Serengeti plains.
- March to May – Long rains bring lush landscapes but wetter, harder access.
- Kilimanjaro is best climbed and filmed in the dry seasons for clear summit views.
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.
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Required Documentation
A passport-sized photo of the applicant. A passport bio page (passport must be valid for at least six months beyond departure). A return ticket confirming departure. A copy of the registration certificate or certificate of incorporation/compliance of the production company. An invitation letter from a legally registered institution, company, university, or college in Tanzania.
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Timings
10 business days.
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Cost
$250 (cost may vary based on nationality).
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.
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Required Documentation
A completed application form. A recommendation letter from the media house or production company. A copy of the applicant’s passport. Proof of accreditation from the country of origin. Three passport-sized photos of the applicant.
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Timings
Approximately 1 to 2 weeks.
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Cost
$500.
General Film Permit
Filming permits are issued through the Tanzania Film Board, with separate park filming permits and fees via TANAPA (national parks) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. Crew require the correct work permits, and documentary or research work may involve additional clearances. Allow generous lead time and work through a local service company.
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Required Documentation
A cover letter stating the reason for filming in Tanzania. An invitation or recommendation letter from a local host. A script, synopsis, and filming schedule. Interview questions (if applicable). Passport copies of all crew members. A list of filming equipment with specifications. A list of supporting crew from Tanzania.
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Timings
1 to 2 weeks after payment.
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Cost
Normal Application – Applications submitted 30 days before filming: $1,000. Fast-Track Application – Applications submitted less than 30 days before filming: $3,000 (processing time: 7 working days).
Drone Permit
Drone filming requires authorisation from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and separate park permissions and fees, and is restricted in national parks. Approvals must be arranged well in advance.
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Permit Issuance
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) is responsible for issuing drone permits.
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Required Documentation for Local Drone Permit
A completed application form. An introduction letter from the drone pilot or production company. Drone specifications (details about the drone model and capabilities). Drone insurance proof. A passport or national ID of the drone pilot. Proof of training (certificate or license).
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Required Documentation for Drone Importation
A completed drone application form. An introduction letter from the drone pilot or production company. Drone specifications. Drone insurance. The drone pilot’s passport. Proof of drone training.
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Timings
4 to 6 weeks.
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Cost
Registration Fee: Class 1 (Less than 5kg) – $100 per drone. Class 2 (More than 5kg but less than 25kg) – $200 per drone. Operations Permit for Foreign Film Crews: $1,000 per project.
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.
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Clearance Process
A non-refundable fee of 10% of the total equipment value is required. A fixed service fee is paid to a bond agent, who oversees all customs clearance processes.
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Required Documentation
A detailed list of filming equipment. Passport copies of all film crew members. Flight details (arrival and departure tickets).
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Timings
Approximately 1 to 2 weeks.
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Cost
A 10% non-refundable fee of the equipment’s total value.
Safety and Security
Tanzania is safe in its tourist and safari areas and highly experienced in hosting productions. Standard precautions apply in cities, malaria precautions are advised, and remote parks and Kilimanjaro require robust logistics, medical and evacuation planning built into the schedule.
Rebates & Incentives
Tanzania does not currently operate a formal national film cash rebate for international productions, so budgets should not rely on a rebate.
Park filming and permit fees apply and should be built into the budget. African Fixer will confirm the latest position on fees and any incentives during planning, and manage permits, park logistics and mobile camps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Permits are issued through the Tanzania Film Board, with separate park permits and fees via TANAPA and the Ngorongoro authority, plus crew work permits.
Yes. Tanzania has experienced safari fixers, guides and support crew, with senior technical crew and specialist gear brought in from Kenya, South Africa or abroad.
Yes. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and the southern and western parks offer world-class wildlife filming, subject to park permits and fees.
Safari lodges and camps at the locations, hotels in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, and mobile camps for remote parks, with flights and transfers arranged.
Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used. Drones need separate TCAA and park permissions.
Yes. Drone filming requires TCAA authorisation and park permissions, and is restricted in national parks.
No. Tanzania does not currently offer a film rebate, and park fees apply. We confirm all costs before you budget.
Yes, especially for wildlife, documentary and travel productions needing world-class safari and landscape locations.
Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap, including park logistics and mobile camps.
Did You Know?
The Serengeti-Ngorongoro ecosystem hosts the largest overland animal migration on Earth, with around two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle circling year-round – while nearby Olduvai Gorge has yielded some of the oldest known human ancestor fossils, earning it the name “Cradle of Mankind”.
PRO TIP:
Follow the Migration by season – Mara River crossings in the north from around July to October, and calving on the southern plains from December to February – and book camps and light-aircraft charters far ahead, as the best locations and flights fill early.
Eugene - Tanzania
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