CapeNature updates fees for commercial filming across its reserves
From fynbos-covered mountains and indigenous forests to rugged coastlines and Marine Protected Areas, CapeNature’s reserves have long provided a diverse backdrop for local and international film and television productions. From 1 October 2026, CapeNature is updating its commercial filming tariff structure to better align fees with the scale of productions and the demands they place on protected area management.
The revision includes adjustments to permit fees, base camp fees and category fees for productions of varying crew sizes, as well as the introduction of a new “Major” category for productions of 101 or more people. Rates for Environmental Control Officers, who support productions on reserves, have also been updated.
Our reserves offer some of the most diverse and visually striking landscapes in the province, and it’s no surprise they continue to attract local and international productions. This revised tariff structure better aligns the costs of filming with the scale of productions and the resources required to host these activities responsibly in protected areas. CapeNature remains committed to working with and supporting the film industry and ensuring that our reserves continue to offer attractive filming opportunities for productions.
The new “Major” category has been introduced for productions of 101 or more people, reflecting the greater demands that large productions place on staff time, site management and infrastructure. The existing “High” category has consequently been widened to cover teams of 31 to 100 people.
The revised rates, excluding VAT, are effective from 1 October 2026:
- Permit fee: R400
- Base camp only: R3 327,50
- Low (1–15 people): R3 300 (half day) / R5 840 (full day)
- Medium (16–30 people): R6 550 (half day) / R10 650 (full day)
- High (31–100 people): R9 075 (half day) / R16 350 (full day)
- Major (101+ people) – new category: R13 650 (half day) / R21 000 (full day)
- Environmental Control Officer: R732 (half day) / R1 200 (full day)
An exclusivity fee, applied on a case-by-case basis for productions requiring restricted public access to a site, remains in place for sites open to the public where the scale of a shoot warrants it.
CapeNature’s reserves have hosted a wide range of award-winning local and international productions over the years. Popular filming locations include the diverse of landscapes across the Western Cape’s fynbos, forest, mountain, coastal and Marine Protected Areas. The revised tariff structure is intended to appropriately account for the costs associated with hosting productions, while continuing to make these diverse locations available to the film industry.
Productions wishing to apply for a filming permit at a CapeNature reserve, or to enquire about the new tariffs, can contact Jackie Tranmere at locations@permitz.co.za.
ABOUT CapeNature
CapeNature is a public institution mandated to promote and ensure biodiversity conservation within the Western Cape and is the custodian of the Cape Floristic Region. The Entity manages most of the mountain catchments and reserves that supply ecosystem services to the citizens of the Western Cape. This requires good scientific data, a sound understanding of fynbos ecology and commitment to the principles of integrated biodiversity management and planning. Most of this work is in remote areas out of the public eye but has a direct bearing on the quality of life of millions of people in the province.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
CapeNature
General Manager: Advocacy
Petro van Rhyn
pvrhyn@capenature.co.za
071 231 7576
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