Filmmakers have a special opportunity at Sandwich Harbour, a truly unique place where the wide ocean meets the desert dunes. It is one of the few places in the world where these two very different landscapes come together to create a strong visual setting for your project.
The best times to film are in the early morning and late afternoon. During these times, the light and shadows work together to show the difference between the dunes and the ocean. This helps create deep and interesting images.
The drive from Walvis Bay to Sandwich Harbour takes about one and a half hours and requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It is important to hire experienced local drivers who know how to drive in the dunes.
Their skills will help transport your cast and crew safely to and from the filming area.
Sandwich Harbour is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The park is in western Namibia, between the edge of the Great Escarpment and the Atlantic Ocean.
It includes the Sandwich Harbour lagoon, the Naukluft mountain range, and part of the Namib Desert, which is said to be the oldest desert in the world.
Sossusvlei, a clay pan surrounded by dunes, and Sesriem, a small canyon formed by the Tsauchab River, are the park’s most well-known places and among the top places to visit in Namibia.
The Namib-Naukluft National Park is home to animals that live in dry places, such as snakes, geckos, insects, hyenas, gemsboks, leopards, African wildcats, cape foxes, baboons, caracals, bat-eared foxes, and jackals. These animals can be filmed in the park.
Requirements to Film at Sandwich Harbour
In Namibia, all commercial filming projects must follow local rules. By law, all foreign workers who want to film in Namibia must get a temporary work visa and filming permission. This applies to still photos and documentaries too.
The Namibia Film Commission requires film crews to apply for a general film permit at least three weeks before they arrive. To make the process easier, our local fixer or service producer will help you.
Some places need extra permission, such as filming in towns, using public areas for filming, filming in national parks, flying drones, or filming local groups like the Himba or San people. Once you get the General Film Permit, these extra requests can be added.
An environmental officer must be present on set each day when filming in a national park. Other fees may also apply. It is illegal to film public infrastructure and sensitive government areas without permission.
If this law is broken, there may be fines, jail time, or your film equipment could be taken. For more details about specific locations, please contact us.
Namibia Visas & Work Permits Advice
All international crew members must get temporary work permits to film in Namibia. The application must be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration at least 15 working days before arrival.
Our local fixer or service producer will help make the process fast and smooth.
As soon as the visa is approved, our fixer will give you a copy of the document. Each team member must bring a printed copy of the visa with them. When you arrive in Namibia, show this printed visa to the immigration officer, who will then stamp your passport.
Local caterers are available to provide meals in Sandwich Harbour, even though it is a far and challenging area. Their experience in feeding film crews in hard-to-reach places means your team will be well-fed and energized during filming. If you have any logistical problems at Sandwich Harbour, local support teams are ready to assist.
Sandwich Harbour is about 45 km south of Walvis Bay, which makes it fairly easy to reach from this major town. Walvis Bay can be your base, offering places to stay, equipment rental, and other support services.
Its closeness means you can enjoy the natural quiet of Sandwich Harbour while still having the services of a well-equipped town nearby.
Sandwich Harbour, where the dunes meet the ocean, is a place of natural quiet. Your audience will feel close to nature as you tell your story in this peaceful setting.
The open space and silence of Sandwich Harbour create a mood that can add emotional power to your project.
