• Awesome Victoria Falls - A World Heritage Site
• Exciting game parks
• Fascinating ruins of Great Zimbabwe
BASIC FACTS:
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Full Name:
Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) Capital: Harare Independence: 18 April 1980 Time: GMT +2 hours Population: 11,163,160 (estimated July 1999) Area: 390 580km2 (386 670km² land; 3 910km² water) Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar (Z$) President: Robert Gabriel Mugabe (since 31 December 1987)
New Year’s Day
- 1 January
Good Friday (varies)
Easter Sunday (varies)
Easter Monday (varies)
Independence Day - 18 April
Workers’ Day - 1 May
Africa Days - 25 & 26 May
Heroes’ Day - 11 August
Defence Forces Day - 12 August
Christmas Day - 25 December
Boxing Day - 26 December
COMMUNICATION:
ELECTRICITY:
The international dialling code for calling Zimbabwe is +263.
The international dialling code when dialling out from Zimbabwe
is 110.
A direct international dialling service is available from the
major hotels in Zimbabwe. Both local and long distance calls
are metered on a time basis and you pay for every second. Major
hotels and businesses have a fax service.
Remember that hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls.
Lodges in the more remote areas of Zimbabwe communicate via
two-way radio.
Electricity is supplied at 220/240
volts AC. Outlets are of the three-pin, 13 amp type. Lodges
in the more remote areas of Zimbabwe use generator power for
lighting and refrigeration.
LANGUAGE:
CULTURE:
English is the official language
of Zimbabwe, although it is only the first language of about
2% of the population. Other indigenous languages spoken include
Shona and Ndebele. Guided safaris are usually conducted in English.
The Shona people make up about
71% of the population and are the ruling class of Zimbabwe.
The Ndebele make up about 16% and occupy the area around Bulawayo
and Victoria Falls. There is slight animosity between these
two tribes.
USEFUL SWAHILI GREETINGS:
English
Shona
Ndebele
Hello (initial)
-Mhoro/Mhoroi
-Sawubona/Salibonani
Hello (in reply)
-Ahoi
-Yebo
How are you?
-Makadii/Makadi-ni?
-Linjani/Kunjani?
I’m well
-Ndiripo
-Sikona
Thank you
-Ndatenda/Masvita
-Siyabonga kakula
Welcome
-Titambire
-Siyalemukela
Good morning
-Mangwanani
-Livukenjani
Good afternoon
-Masikati
-Litshonile
Good evening
-Manheru
-Litshone njani
Goodbye (to person
staying)
-Chisarai zvakanaka
-Lisalekuhle
Goodbye (to person
leaving)
-Fambai zvakanaka
-Uhambe kuhle
Please
-Ndapota
-Uxolo
Excuse me
-Pamsoro
-ipindeo Ngicela ukwedlula
Sorry/pardon
-Pamsoro
-Ngiyaxolisa
Do you speak English?
-Unodziva kutawura chirungu?
-Uyakwazi ukukuluma isilingu?
Yes
-Ehe
-Yebo
No
-Aiw
-Hayi
Where is . . .?
-Arikiupi . . . ?
-Ungaphi . . .?
GEOGRAPHY & LANDSCAPE:
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country lying entirely between the
tropics. The country is largely plateau, giving rise to many
rivers which feed into two of Africa’s greatest river systems:
the Zambezi in the north-west and the Limpopo in the south-east.
The Zambezi plain extends from man-made Lake Kariba, down to
the Victoria Falls, Africa’s biggest waterfall. Landscape of
the plateau is bushveld, dotted with koppies (rocky outcrops).
The scenic Eastern Highlands is the mountainous region.
CLIMATE:
Summer: October to April.
Summer days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with
possible afternoon thunderstorms.
Daytime temperatures can rise to 30ºC (86ºF) and night temperatures
drop to around 14ºC (57ºF) to 16ºC (61ºF). The temperatures
given are those for the main centres but it is considerably
warmer all year round in the low-lying areas such as Kariba,
Victoria Falls, and the Zambezi Valley.
The rainy season runs from November to March, although the
Eastern Highlands are damp for most of the year.
Winter: May to September.
Winter days are dry, sunny and cool to warm while evening
temperatures drop sharply.
Daytime temperatures generally reach 20ºC(68ºF) and can
drop to as low as 5ºC(41ºF) at night.
Please note: cold spells can occur (although this is the exception
rather than the rule) so it is recommended to bring appropriate
clothing, just in case!
ACCOMMODATION:
Zimbabwe’s many private game reserves
offer both standard and luxury accommodation. National parks
have cottages, chalets or lodges, which are all fully equipped.
Booking is essential.
Note that foreigners are required to pay in foreign exchange;
US$ are preferred. The government campsites are well-maintained
and offer full facilities.
WHEN TO
GO:
WHAT TO PACK:
Zimbabwe is an all year round
destination. However there are certain seasons for special interest
groups to take note of:
For high adventure enthusiasts, white water rafting
is most exciting when the Zambezi waters are low, generally
from August to December.
Best botanical months to visit the famous Vumba Botanical
Gardens are December to May when the vegetation is lush
and green, and also when most plants are in flower. Zimbabwe’s
popularity as a destination is gaining in leaps and bounds
to the extent that seasonal differences are not as marked
as in previous years. Traditionally, however, peak season
is from July to October and middle season is from May to
June. Note that availability is at a premium during these
seasons, so you will need to book in advance.
Generally, casual comfortable
clothing is suitable throughout the year.
The most practical items to pack for safari are:
Blouses with long sleeves (even in summer – they will
protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
T-shirts
Shorts or a light skirt
Jeans or trousers for evenings and cooler days
Fleece or sweater and a windbreaker for game drives (necessary,
even in summer)
Comfortable walking shoes
Sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent – essentials!
Binoculars and a camera are a must
Tracksuit – good for sleeping in during winter months
Light, compact raincoat is a good idea for the summer
Swimsuit, as most hotels/lodges have swimming pools
Towel, torch and sleeping bag for camping safaris (sleeping
bags can be hired from most safari operators)
Elegant casual outfit for dinner and/or cocktails at
the smarter hotels and restaurants - men are generally expected
to don collar, jacket (sometimes even a tie) in cocktail
bars and restaurants after 18:30, except in the warmer parts
of the country and at the game lodges.
Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures
of Zimbabwe. Dull and/or neutral colours are more suitable for
safari – white is not practical. It is best to pack hardy, durable
clothing.
VERY IMPORTANT: Packing space is limited on all modes
of safari transport so you will need to restrict your baggage
to 12–15kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable
amount of camera equipment.
ROADS, TRAINS
& AEROPLANES:
Border Posts:
All border posts open daily.
Zimbabwe/Botswana Kazangula
(Victoria Falls/Kasane)06:00 – 18:00 Plumtree (Bulawayo/Maun)
06:00 – 18:00
Zimbabwe/South Africa Beitbridge (Bulawayo, Harare/Johannesburg)06:00 – 20:00
Rail & Bus:
Zimbabwe has a good railway service connecting Harare, Bulawayo,
Victoria Falls and Mutare. Fares are very cheap. Most trains
run at night and move slowly across the short distances so
not to arrive too early in the morning.
Two kinds of buses service Zimbabwe: express and local.
Express buses are usually efficient and operate according
to the published timetables.
Local buses serve almost all populated areas of Zimbabwe.
These “African buses” are cheap and if you don’t mind the
crowds and unreliability of service, are a great way to meet
the locals.
Airports:
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
Harare Airport (HRE)
Bulawayo Airport (BUQ)
Karibe Airport (KAB)
Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)
There are a total of 467 runways in Zimbabwe, of which only
18 are paved. Charter air services can be arranged to reach
remote areas and are usually cheaper when arranged through
your travel agent.
Roads:
There are 18 338km of highways in Zimbabwe, of which 8 692km
are paved. (about 47%) Excluding the national parks and game
reserves, the road conditions in Zimbabwe are good and they
are well-signposted.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are advisable for travelling within
the national parks and game reserves.
Foreign drivers may use their valid driving license, with
an English translation if necessary.
Driving is on the left side of the road and the general speed
limit is 120km/h on open roads and 60km/h in urban areas,
but watch out for the signs.
Motorists must use their headlights between 5:30 pm and 5:30
am. Watch out for wildlife on the roads!
HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS & SERVICES:
Health Requirements:
You will have to get malaria prophylactics before entering
Zimbabwe. When purchasing these, tell your doctor or pharmacist
which areas in Zimbabwe you intend visiting. Start your course
at least 24 hours before entering Zimbabwe and continue taking
the pills for six weeks after leaving the country. If you
suffer from side effects, try taking your malaria prophylactics
at night after dinner. Precautionary measures that you can
take to prevent contact with mosquitoes are: sleeping under
a bed net or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember
to keep the flaps zipped at all times); spraying your accommodation
with insecticide; making use of a mosquito-repelling lotion
or stick; and wearing long-sleeved clothing, long trousers
and socks when outside at night.
Any person entering Zimbabwe from, or via, ayellow
fever or cholera-infected area must be in possession of a
valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow
fever and/or cholera. Tetanus immunisation is recommended.
Medical services within Harare and Bulawayo are very good.
It is wise to bring with you any medicines which you may require.
Medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Insurance:
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance,
which includes curtailment and cancellation cover, as well
as medical cover, upon confirming your booking.
If you are coming on safari with Afro Ventures, you will automatically
be covered by our Emergency Evacuation Insurance, underwritten
by Europ Assistance. This guarantees all reasonable, practical
assistance in obtaining primary and/or emergency medical services
for an insured person who suffers illness or injury. Please
note that this is evacuation insurance only and does not replace
the normal travel insurance which you need to purchase.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
(as at August 2000)
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid
for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should
be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa
for their visit to Zimbabwe:
Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana,
Granada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi,
Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Western
Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts, St Lucia, St
Vincent & The Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga,
Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Zambia
Nationals of the following countries will be issued a visa
on payment at port of entry:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei,
Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua
New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, South Africa (no
charge), Spain, State of Palestine, Switzerland, United
Arab Emirates, USA
For all other countries, visas should be obtained from your
nearest Zimbabwean consulate. This costs US$30 for a single
entry visa (valid for six months) and US$45 for a double entry
visa (valid for three months).
Requirements for obtaining a visa are:
a valid passport and one application form
This is a guide only – please check with your nearest Zimbabwe
Consulate for up-to-date information.
SOUVENIRS:
PHOTOGRAPHY:
A Zimbabwean specialty are the Batonka stool seats, which
are traditionally carved from one piece of wood. Another specialty
is a toilet seat made from Mukwa wood. These can often be
purchased at hardware stores.
Along roadsides, one finds row upon row of soapstone and
wooden carved items. Haggling is expected and one normally
pays less than half the asking price.
Crochet garments, tablecloths and bedspreads are a relatively
new craft. Precious and semi precious stones, polished and/or
set, are widely available.
Film is available at most game lodges, but stocks are usually
small and of the common sizes only. For game and bird photography
a telephoto lens of between 200 and 300mm is strongly recommended.
Larger lenses which require a tripod are generally impractical
for game photography from vehicles, as are double lens reflex
cameras.
A lens hood and ultra violet filter are advisable and a dust
cover (plastic bag) is essential. Remember to bring spare
batteries for your camera as these are seldom available on
safari. Binoculars are invaluable for bird and game viewing.
MONEY MATTERS:
Currency:
The unit of currency is the Zimbabwean dollar (Z$), which
is divided into 100 cents.
Foreign currency is widely accepted and prices are usually
also displayed in US$. Foreigners are requested to settle
their accommodation payment in foreign currency, preferably
US$.
Exchange Rate:
All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, shops and
restaurants.
However, please note that certain lodges
and restaurants do not accept payment by Diners or American
Express.
Tipping:
Tips of 10% are usually expected by taxi drivers and at hotels.
Service charge is often included in a bill, but when not, a
10% tip is acceptable
Banks:
Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business during the following
hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 08:00 – 15:00
Wed 08:00 – 13:00, Sat 08:00 – 11:30
Major hotels have foreign exchange facilities and most shops,
lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller’s cheques.
Note that hotels usually offer a more favourable exchange
rate than banks.
Credit Cards:
For most visitors, the exchange rate is in their favour. Generally,
you will find that fine cuisine, wine, and entertainment cost
a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments
elsewhere in the world.
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African Safari Destinations
