Lesotho Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Lesotho? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Lesotho
For an introduction to shooting in Lesotho see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Lesotho Film Locations
The Kingdom of Lesotho is a small, landlocked, high-altitude country contained entirely within South Africa. Film locations of note include mountain landscapes, green valleys, plateaus, rivers, waterfalls, villages, and a ski resort.
Agricultural film locations include wheat and corn fields as well as herding of livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Lesotho has diamond mines. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
The Forgotten Kingdom (2013) filmed in Lesotho.
Film locations can be divided into the following districts: Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale’s Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, and Thaba-Tseka.
Maseru is the capital and largest city in Lesotho.
Mafeteng is the second largest city.
Ts’ehlanyane National Park, located in the Maloti Mountains, is known for its rare woodland habitats and Lesotho’s only ski resort, Afriski.
Bokong Nature Reserve has extensive afro-alpine wetlands.
Sehlabathebe National Park is known for rolling highland savannah, wild flower meadows, and verdant valleys.
Maletsunyane Falls is a spectacular 192-metre-high (630 ft) waterfall.
Katse Dam is an imposing structure located on the Malibamat’so River. Mohale Dam is another location of note.
Diamond mines of note include Letseng, Liqhobong, and Kao.
The Orange River is the longest river in Lesotho.
Spectacular mountain passes available for filming include Sani Pass, Moteng Pass, and Rockeries Pass.
Thabana Ntlenyana is the country’s highest peak.
Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village is an interesting film location.
The Kome Caves are a group of cave dwellings made out of mud in the district of Berea.
Matekane Air Strip is a high elevation runway that extends to the edge of a cliff. The location makes for dramatic takeoff and landing footage.
Lesotho Film Location Permits
Permission to film Lesotho locations is generally a quick, easy and inexpensive process. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
Lesotho is a land of clear blue skies with more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Summer is the rainy season from October to April. Winter is the dry season from May to September with snow falling in the highlands. October / November, or March / April are the best months to film for weather. August brings spring alpine flowers in full bloom. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
The Morija Arts and Cultural Festival takes place in September or October.
Lesotho is a predominately Christian country, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Lesotho.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. The local currency is pegged to the South African Rand, which is also widely accepted. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Our Mosotho fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or feature films shooting in Lesotho.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Lesotho has a very small local pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Lesotho.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Sesotho and English are the official languages.
Lesotho consists almost entirely of the Basotho ethnic group. The Semonkong region is known for its distinct highland cowboy culture. All other talent looks can be easily brought in from South Africa.
Lesotho Film Equipment
Equipment. You will need to bring in all camera, grip and lighting equipment from abroad. For productions looking to bring in film equipment Lesotho is an ATA carnet country.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Visiting crews entering on most western passports can enter Lesotho visa-free. Work permits are not required. Visitors travelling via South Africa need to comply with South African visa regulations.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure is quite basic. The majority of Lesotho’s roads are unpaved. Some roads become impassable during the rainy season. The capital Maseru is a 5hr drive from Johannesburg. Regional airlines service flights to Moshoeshoe I International Airport.
Accommodation. Film friendly hotels in Lesotho:
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Experience the unique high mountain culture of the Basotho people. Motoho is the national dish.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Lesotho, please see below:
Hire Lesotho Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Lesotho, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Lesotho, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
