Zimbabwe Travel Information
Zimbabwe :: Information
:: Victoria
Falls Hotels :: Victoria
Falls Safaris
Geography
Zimbabwe is landlocked and lies across a plateau, with the Eastern
Highlands mountainous region in the east. The landscape is mostly
bushveld with rocky outcrops. In the south, the region is dominated
by savanna. The world-famous Victoria Falls are situated in the
far western tip of the country, right on the border with Zambia
.
Money Matters
The currency is the Zimbabwean Dollar (Z$). Due
to the economic turmoil in the country, inflation is quite high
and the low exchange rate usually means that it is quite cheap
for foreigners to travel to and within Zimbabwe .
Banks
Open Monday to Saturday (but closed on Wednesday
and Saturday afternoons.) Traveler 's cheques can easily be exchanged
for Zimbabwe dollars at any bank. Major international currencies
are also accepted. Major credit cards are accepted at tourist
destinations.
There is a 15% tax on hotel rooms, safaris and other travel services.
Zimbabwe 's other consumer taxes are usually included in the price.
Tips of around 10% are expected by taxi drivers and in tourist-class
hotels and restaurants. Some establishments automatically add
a 10% service charge to the bill, which replaces the gratuity.
Travel Info
Getting there
The main border posts are open daily and are:
Victoria Falls/Kazungala crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana
Victoria Falls/Livingstone crossing to Zambia
Road and rail links to South Africa via Beitbridge
To Mozambique (and Malawi ), the route is from Harare to Blantyre
via the Nyamapanda and Mwanza border crossings
Getting around
Zimbabwe has a good railway and bus system - and it is
possible to use those when traveling especially between Harare
Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Mutare Most trains run at night and
are fairly cheap there are two kinds of buses: local and express
- both will get you there. Car rental is difficult and expensive
and due to the semi-dodgy roads, not a recommended way to travel.
Health
Malaria
If you are planning a Zimbabwe safari you should get medical travel
insurance. Other medical requirements include getting malaria
prophylactics as this is a malaria area. Anti-malaria tablets
can be bought at your local pharmacy and you should start taking
them at least 24 hours before entering the country. Tell your
pharmacists which areas you intend visiting. You will have to
take the pills for six weeks after leaving Zimbabwe.
Precautionary measures
Take plenty of mosquito-repelling lotion/spray/stick, sleep under
a bed net or in a room with mosquito proofing, wearing long-sleeved
clothing and socks when outside at night (when the mosquito are
most active.)
Vaccinations
Any person entering Zimbabwe from or over a yellow fever or cholera
infected safari area must be vaccinated against these diseases
and have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination when
you travel here. Dams and rivers may have bilharzias, but canoeing
and rafting should not be a problem, just towel off as soon as
possible. Tap water is safe to drink and only in extremely remote
areas will you have to boil it or purify it. Also get tetanus
immunization.
Safety
The country has been getting plenty of bad press
lately, due to the unstable political environment and economic
turmoil. However, tourist destinations like Victoria Falls , Lake
Kariba and Hwange National Park have been declared trouble-free
by tourists as well as operators in the area. Self-drive travel
holidays are not recommended and your best option would be to
book your safari through a reputable agent and then fly in directly
to the destination of your choice.
Keep your eyes open
As with all major cities, a certain amount of common sense prevails
if you are out and about here: don't walk around alone, keep your
valuables hidden and take care which establishments you frequent.
Climate
Summer
Is from around October to April, during which it gets quite hot
- to around 30°C, while night temperatures drop to around
14°C. Thunderstorms may occur in the late afternoon. The rainy
season is from November to March, although the Eastern Highlands
may get rain year round.
Winter
Is roughly from May to September/October The days are generally
dry and sunny - around 20°C, with the temperature falling
at night. At night, it can get as cold as 5ºC.
Visas
It is recommended that you check with your travel
agent or nearest Zimbabwean Consulate for the latest visa information.
(Nationals of the following countries will be issued a
visa on payment at port of entry)
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados,
Botswana Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cook Islands, Denmark,
Dominica, Dominica Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland,
Portugal, Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, State of Palestine,
Switzerland, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, USA, Zambia
Visas cost around US$30 for a single entry visa
(valid for six months) and US$45 for a double entry visa (valid
for three months). Requirements for obtaining a visa are a valid
passport and one application form.
When to go
It is best to visit Zimbabwe during the cooler
winter months - May to October. Most of the rain falls in the
hot summer - roughly speaking from November to April. In winter,
temperatures can drop to below freezing, but the days are great
for safari game viewing.
River rafting: For water sport enthusiasts, it is best to travel
between August and December, when water levels are low on the
mighty Zambezi .
What to pack
Bring casual, comfortable clothing and preferably
light, long-sleeved blouses and lightweight trousers for protection
against the sun and insects. Don't forget:
- Sun block, sun glasses, good walking shoes
- A light and compact raincoat
- Swim suit
- Torch
- An elegant outfit for a cocktails
- If traveling with an organized safari, see if
there is a weight limit, in which case you may have to restrict
your luggage to 10-12kg.
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