Zimbabwe is a land-locked country blessed with fertile soils, mineral wealth and wonderful scenery. Two major rivers form its northern and southern boundaries: the great Zambezi River cuts along its northern frontier, while the languid Limpopo forms the southern border with South Africa.
Along the Botswana border the easternmost tongues of the Kalahari sands creep into the country and mix with the teak forests of the interior, and desert-adapted animals share the same habitat with woodland species. Hwange National Park is home to some of southern Africa's last great elephant, buffalo and sable herds; Wilderness' Linkwasha/Makalolo concession within Hwange is a truly wild area where animals have no restrictions and can migrate back and forth. This area also offers Zimbabwe's best summer game viewing.
INFORMATION FOR THE VISITOR TO ZIMBABWE
BANKS
Banks in Zimbabwe are open during the following hours:
08h00 – 15h00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
08h00 – 13h00 Wednesday
08h00 – 11h30 Saturday
CHECK OUT TIMES AT HOTELS
Hotels in the Zimbabwe cities generally have a check in time of 14h00 and a check out time of 10h00.
CLIMATE
September – October is very hot and dry. November – March is considered the rainy season. The winter months have cold frosty nights but during the day temperatures are mild with little rain.
Temperature (ºC) - These are the average lows and highs |
| |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
| HRE |
17/32 |
17/30 |
18/31 |
14/29 |
10/29 |
7/25 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
July |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| HRE |
6/25 |
8/28 |
14/33 |
18/34 |
18/31 |
17/31 |
Rainfall (mm). This varies according to the year and where you are. |
| |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
| HRE |
215 |
185 |
100 |
45 |
5 |
3 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
July |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| HRE |
1 |
3 |
4 |
20 |
100 |
190 |
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar. Zimbabwe restricts the import of their currency to a maximum of Z$500 in cash. You may also only take Z$500 in cash out of Zimbabwe; however this is not recommended as you cannot exchange Zimbabwe Dollars outside of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has adopted a Controlled Foreign Currency Auction system which means that tourists are now able to obtain realistic rates for their foreign currency at the banks. All the bureau de changes have been closed and hotels are not able to change money for guests. Thus all currency conversion transactions are carried out by the banks at the official exchange rate only, which is determined by the auction system that occurs several times a week (as an indication of rates, in January 2004, the rate fluctuated between Z$4200 to Z$3600 to the US$). This new auction system has effectively killed the black market in hard currency which existed previously.
At hotels, guests are obliged by law to settle their “extras” account in foreign currency, either by cash, credit card or traveller’s cheques. The hotels quote all “extras” in Zimbabwe Dollars but once you divide this by the auction rate you will see that most items are very good value for money.
For shopping or paying for activities, “cash is king” (US Dollar cash especially) and so you are encouraged to bring as much US$ cash as possible for your stay in order to get the best prices. Please note that anything bought from registered dealers in local Zimbabwean cash is subject to 15% VAT (which is not refundable on departure).
Credit cards are more readily accepted though there are some vendors who don’t accept these (if you want to shop at the market then you will need cash for this (not traveller’s cheques or credit cards). Visa and MasterCard are usually accepted throughout Zimbabwe at the larger hotels but American Express and Diners Club are often not (please note that the camps are unable to accept American Express cards).
We recommend that visitors complete a declaration form on entry into the country stating how much currency you are carrying and get this stamped by an official. This form should remain with you throughout your stay in case you need to show it to any officials at a later date.
DEPARTURE TAXES
For those passengers flying out of Zimbabwe a US$30 International Passenger Service fee applies. All guests departing on a scheduled airline flight should have this fee included in the cost of their scheduled air ticket. Likewise any guests departing on a charter flight arranged by us will have this fee included in the cost of their charter ticket.
There is also a US$5 Domestic Passenger Service Fee which applies when departing internally from any registered, manned airport. These include Harare, Bulawayo, Kariba, Hwange and Victoria Falls airports. This fee must be paid direct in US dollars cash at the airport when departing (please ensure you have the exact amount of US Dollars in cash before you leave your home country as you cannot get any US$ within Zimbabwe - large denomination bills such as U$50 or US$100 bills are not accepted).
DRINKS POLICY
All properties have their own drinks policy. All camps in Zimbabwe have all local drinks included. Drinks in other operators’ camps and cities may be included or excluded. Please refer to your itinerary for specific details.
EXCESS BAGGAGE
If you have to bring more baggage with you, we can offer you and your party an extra seat on most safaris. This will allow you to bring an additional 70kg (154 lbs). The cost of this extra seat varies - depending on your safari. Please contact your agent for costs.
On arrival in either Harare or Victoria Falls, you also have the option to send your excess baggage ahead at an additional cost of US$75 per person. If the safari begins in Victoria Falls, the excess baggage will be forwarded to Harare and stored. If starting in Harare, the excess baggage will be forwarded to Victoria Falls for storage. You can then collect this excess baggage at the end of your Zimbabwe safari. We would prefer to know in advance if this service will be needed so that arrangements can be made and the transfer can be handled smoothly. If you do not require the excess luggage to accompany you and are arriving and departing from Harare Airport then we can arrange for the excess luggage to be stored in our Harare office. The luggage can then be returned to you either at your hotel (if you are overnighting at the end) or by luggage transfer back to Harare Airport.
The same scenario applies if you are arriving and departing from Victoria Falls, where we can then arrange for the excess luggage to be stored in our Victoria Falls office. Again the luggage can then be returned to you either at your hotel (if you are overnighting at the end) or by luggage transfer back to Victoria Falls Airport. These last two are usually, by far, the most economical methods and should be pre-booked through us prior to travel.
The camps and its staff will not accept responsibility for luggage kept in any of the offices on behalf of our guests. We do not anticipate any problems with stored luggage being damaged or stolen, but guests must please ensure that they are in possession of full travel insurance including the luggage cover.
LAUNDRY
Laundry can be done at most camps. This service is complimentary at the camps but there may be a nominal charge at other establishments. The camp staff will not wash underwear, due to prevailing local traditions in the country. A laundry is available at the hotels in major centres and is charged per hotel rates.
POWER
All Wilderness Safaris’ camps are situated in remote areas and we have to generate our own electricity. We do so in a number of ways. Each camp has a generator that runs for about 6 hours per day (3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon when guests are out on activities). These generators then charge batteries located at each tented room, which provide good 12v lights all night (if used sensibly).
There are no 220v or 110v power points in camp. If you need to have your video battery re-charged we can do so while you are out on an activity. Therefore, please bring a spare for use while the other is being charged. These systems are simple but perfectly functional. Electrical plug outlets are not available in the Wilderness Safaris camp tented rooms and therefore it is not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers during your stay there. In major cities electrical appliances run on 220/240 volts AC, accessible via 14 amp, square-pinned fused plugs.
RECOMMENDED READING (in no particular order)
a) This is Zimbabwe - Gerald Cubitt & Peter Joyce
b) Zimbabwe: The Beautiful & Zimbabwe: Beautiful Land - Peter Joyce
c) Zambezi - The River of the Gods - Jan & Fiona Teede.
d) Globetrotter Atlas, Map & Guide to Zimbabwe
e) African Thunder: The Victoria Falls - Jan & Fiona Teede
Everyone must bring his or her own pair of BINOCULARS in order to get the most out of the safari.
SIGHTSEEING
If your trip is visiting Victoria Falls, there are many optional tours available (prices are approximate and subject to change without notice):
Boma Dinner US$35 per person
Elephant Back Safari US$90 per person
Entrance fee to the Victoria Falls Park (payable in local currency) US$20 per person
Flight over the Falls from US$75 per person
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River from US$38 per person
Tribal dancing US$30 per person
White water rafting on Zambezi (1 day) from US$85 per person
For white water rafting you need to spend a minimum of 2 nights in Victoria Falls.
