6 Top Hollywood Movie Locations in Africa

Beyond the daily grind that we observe around us, Africa always have a spot in the world’s movie sector. While many of us may not be aware that the Hollywood movie you have loved watching was created in Africa, few can tell the exact locations of these movies.

It would interest you to know that Africa has some of the most fascinating movie scenes on earth. From sandy beaches to lush greenery scenes, clement weather, and high mountains to sand dunes, Africa has become a favourite destination for many moviemakers.

In no particular order, here are some of the top movie locations in Africa:

South Africa

South Africa is a thriving movie destination where some of the best movies have been shot. We have seen many moviemakers come here to bring scripts to life. Johannesburg, Soweto and Cape Town are some of the popular movie-making spots.

Soweto movie: District 9 (2009)
Sun City movies: Blended (2014)
Cape Town movie: Tomb Raider (2018), Homeland (2011), Doomsday (2008), Lord of War (2005), Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), Safe House (2012), The Giver (2014), Black Sails (2014), Maze Runner(2014), Tomb Raider (2018) and the Netflix series, Troy: Fall of a City (2018).
Johannesburg movie: Hotel Rwanda (2004)

The Catch: The South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offers moviemakers 20% (capped at 50 Million Rand) filming incentives when they produce movies in the country.

Other movies shot in South Africa include Blood Diamond (2006), Age of Ultron (2015), Eye in the Sky (2015), and Hitman (2007).

Morocco

Morocco offers you a slice of paradise. You find ancient blend perfectly with modern life, making the country a dream come true for many storylines. The art of location camouflage has made it easier for movies like Game of Thrones and Black Hawk Down to be shot.

Here are some movies shot in Morocco:

Casablanca: Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Essaouira: Oliver Stone’s Alexander (2004), Orson Welles’ film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello (1951) and John Wick 3 (2019)
Marrakech: Sex and the City 2 (2010)
Ait Benhaddou: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000) and Game of Thrones
Tangier: Inception (2010)

With the 20% tax rebate on foreign films, the country has become location to the following movies;

The Jewel of the Nile (1985),The Dictator (2012),Queen of the Desert (2015),Rules of Engagement (2000), Aquaman (2018), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003), Mamma Mia! (2008), War Dogs (2016), Men in Black: International (2019), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Rendition (2007), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), American Sniper (2014), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Mummy (1999), Babel (2006) and Captain Phillips (2013).

Egypt

The land of the ancient Pharaohs has always been a choice destination for movie makers. When you consider the landscape, stunning architecture, mythology, and ancient history of the people, you cannot ignore Egypt.

Here is a list of popular movies shot in the country:

Luxor and at the Pyramids: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Karnak Temple in Luxor: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Luxor: The Mummy (1999)
Memphis:The Ten Commandments (1956)
Cairo: Malcom X (1992) and Fair Game (2010)

Other popular movies shot in Egypt include Cleopatra (1963), Malcolm X (1992), Death on the Nile (1978), and Syriana (2005).

Tunisia

Tunisia had the original Star Wars movie in 1976 and more Star Wars movies have been in shot in the country over the years.

The presence of souks, industrial landscapes, mountains, beaches, forests, and deserts made exciting to shoot movies like The Phantom Menace(1997), Attack of the Clones (2000), Revenge of the Sith ( 2003), Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), The English Patient (1996), The Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981),1001 Nights (1990), Black Gold (2011), Jesus of Nazareth, and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

Namibia

Namibia is desolate, mesmerizing, and enthralling, especially when you visit the Namibian desert. For instance, Spitzkoppe, Namibia was the location for Oscar winning movie, A Space Odyssey.

In addition, Beyond Borders (2003),Flight of the Phoenix (2004), 10,000 BC (2008), The Hunters (1957), The Cell (2000), and Gallowwalkers (2012) were shot in the Namib Desert in Namibia.

Other favourite moves include Dhoom 2 (2006), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and The Mummy (2017).

Kenya

As far back as the 1950’s, Kenya has been on the movie location radar. For instance, movies like Mogambo (1953) and King Solomon’s Mines came alive in the country.

Here are some of the movies shot in Kenya: