Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) (4*) (ITT)

A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent.

Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife. (ITT)

Most nationalities will require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. If you are combining a visit to Zimbabwe with a visit to Zambia, ask for a UNI-Visa on arrival as this allows entry to both countries. If you plan to visit Chobe (Botswana), ask for a Double-entry visa on arrival.  Visas for most nationalities can be arranged on arrival at the airports.

Currency

Zimbabwe uses US$ as well as its own unit of currency, the Zimbabwe Bond Dollar. It is advised to carry small denominations of US$ change with you, although it is best to pre-pay for as much as possible before you arrive. US$ work best and are widely accepted in supermarkets, and for curios, accommodation, activities and gratuities. South African Rand and Euros are only accepted in some places in Victoria Falls.

Do not plan on being able to use cash machines (ATM) in Zimbabwe to draw money, there is usually no cash available in the banks or in the ATMs. Before leaving home please exchange all the money that you will need for your trip, plus extra, into US$. Most of this should be in 1, 5, 10 and 20 denominations because change is not always available. In an emergency you can try Barclays Bank, Stanbic Bank or Standard Chartered Bank as they will infrequently accept foreign debit cards for withdrawing cash.

Banking

Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08h00 to 15h00, on Wednesdays from 08h00 to 13h00 and Saturdays from 08h00 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. 

Only VISA and MasterCard are accepted in Zimbabwe, however it should be noted that very limited facilities will have credit card machines, and the connection is not always reliable so it is advisable to carry cash as back up.

Taxis are safe and reliable, and can be booked through your hotel front desk. Taxis in cities travel within a 40km radius of the city. Always take a taxi at night.

Major airlines fly into Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Charter flights are available to most attractions and camps. 

Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure, by African standards, although most roads are badly potholed. Driving is on the left side of the road.  Due to difficulty (long delays) crossing borders into Zimbabwe and due to frequent shortage of fuel, we do  not recommend self-driving in Zimbabwe. However, if you still plan to drive in  Zimbabwe, be sure to check on fuel availability in advance. If you are covering long distances within the country, ensure you carry extra fuel in 5 or 10lt metal containers in case of emergency. Fuel is only available for cash US$.

Zimbabwe's native cuisine is based on sadza, a cooked porridge made from ground maize which is normally be accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare sadza if requested, and it is almost always available in small restaurants in the towns.

Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas typically serve a variety international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is usually excellent.

If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in main towns. There are a number of South African shopping chains operating in Zimbabwe which will generally have all that you will need.

Water in the main towns is usually purified.. The locals drink it and they are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zimbabwe for just a short period of time, try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water available in towns and from all camps, lodges and hotels.

In Zimbabwe, the rains come mainly in December, January,February and March; the further north you go, the earlier the rain arrives and the later it leaves. Zimbabwe's higher eastern areas usually receive more rainfall than the lower-lying western ones.

By April and May most of the rain is gone, leaving a green and beautiful countryside, which will get gradually drier. In more southerly and higher locations, the night-time temperatures start to drop.

The nights in June, July and August become cooler, so don't forget to bring some warmer clothes in case you want to spend an evening outside; the days are still clear and warm. For Zimbabwe, this is the start of the 'peak season'– days are often cloudless and game sightings continually increase.

Into September and October the temperatures rise once again: Zimbabwe's lower-lying rift valley – Mana Pools – can get very hot in October. During this time, you'll see some fantastic game as the Zimbabwe's wildlife concentrates around the limited water sources.

November is unpredictable; it can be hot and dry, it can also see the season's first rainfalls – and in this respect it's a very interesting month, as on successive days, you can see both weather patterns.

When visiting Zimbabwe the rule is to wear casual, comfortable clothes during the day as temperatures can get very hot. It is advisable to wear light loose fitting clothing such as cotton or linen, as they are cool and easy to wash. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings and rainwear for the wet season. 

A brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea year round. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. It is recommended that you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary involves a lot of walking. 

For safaris, please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Natural colours , such as browns, greens and tans, are advisable.