Essential Things to Know Before Traveling to Zimbabwe

CAPITAL

Harare.

LANGUAGE

English and Shona are the official languages of Zimbabwe

RELIGION

Syncretism (part Christian, part Indigenous beliefs) accounts for 50% of the population. Christianity for 25%, Indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

LOCAL TIME

Central African Time (CAT) is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

ELECTRICITY

240 Volts - sockets are usually of the British, three pronged variety.

 

PASSPORT & VISA

A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Two blank pages are needed.

With a few exceptions, visas are required by nationals of all countries. They can be obtained at your point of entry. Single-entry/double-entry visas cost $US 30/45 for US passport holders & 75 USD for Canadian passport holders (and can be issued upon arrival). Visa regulations can and do change frequently and without notice so please ensure you check the current visa advice with your closest embassy or consulate before you depart for Zimbabwe.

Please note that the KAZA UNIVISA has been re-implemented (but may be cancelled at any time) is valid for 30 days as long as you remain in Zimbabwe or Zambia, and travellers can cross into Zimbabwe/Zambia as frequently as they like within a 30 day period. The fee is currently $50 USD per person but may increase at anytime.

All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour.  Passports are required; in addition, travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding Visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit of Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar & US Dollar can also be used. XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Credit cards:

Things change constantly. Zimbabwe is a cash society and the use of credit cards is almost non-existent at times. Visitors need to plan that their debit and credit cards may not be unusable. Its best to be prepared that your American Express, Diners Club and Visa cards may not always be accepted, MasterCard is even less likely to be accepted.

ATM:

Some ATMs accept credit cards.

Banking hours:

Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri 0800-1500, Wed 0800-1300 and Sat 0800-1130.

Currency exchange:

Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at bureaux de change, banks and major hotels at the official exchange rate.

CLOTHING

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. As Zimbabwe is warm during the day all year round, cotton clothing is much more comfortable and practical than man-made materials like nylon. While in the National Parks, you should wear natural, neutral colours – bright colours can make you stand out, meaning that you’re less likely to spot wildlife. In general, shorts are acceptable, although there may be occasions when it is appropriate to where long trousers. Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in very hot countries, night-time and early morning temperatures will be cooler, so it is worth taking a fleece along.

COMMUNICATION & EMAILS

Email
Internet cafes can now be found in many towns in Zimbabwe, although connection times can be slow and unreliable.

Phone
The phone system in Zimbabwe is improving, although international calls are expensive. A 5 minute call (to the USA) can cost up to approx. $US 4-5. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on the best way to call home.

Post
The postal service is relatively good and is best described as cheap and slow. Stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp for postcards will cost approx. $US 0.80.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Although Zimbabwe lies in the tropic zone, the climate of some areas is moderated by high elevation. Most rainfall occurs from November to March. This seldom brings constant rain but can lead to thundery build-up and showers from time to time. Some game parks are closed during this period; others are little affected by the weather. During this time, conditions are often hot and humid. A rain jacket should be considered for departures early or late in the year. In winter, temperatures during the day are usually in the mid 20s (Celsius); at night, however, and in the early morning and late afternoon it is possible for them to drop to zero, and you will need to bring adequate warm clothing. This is particularly so when travelling on game drives in open vehicle. By September, day temperatures will be back into the mid-30s (Celsius) with mild to warm nights.

Victoria Falls: (approx)

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - $US 1-5
• Light meal - $US 5-10
• 3 course meal - $US 10+

DRINKS

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below. Prices in restaurants, hotels, and cruise boats can be as much as double those specified.

• 1.5l of water - $US 1.50
• 30cl bottle of soft drink - $US 0.80
• 33cl bottle of beer - $US 1-2

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Zimbabwe however bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available throughout the country.

FOOD

Traditional meals in Zimbabwe consists of a serving of starch, typically maize porridge with a meat of fish stew called sadza, or in Afrikkans, mealie pap. Sauces will feature a range of different ingredients as each region has its own culinary specialties, but common ingredients would be fish or meats, tomatoes, spinach and baobab leaves. A common form of cooking meats is on the braai (barbecue). Local specialties include gemsbok steak in a cream and pepper sauce (seafood). Common snacks include biltong (wind-dried strips of meat) and edible creepy crawlies such as mopane (worms and dried caterpillars). The usual collection of soft drinks can be found in Zimbabwe, and are widely available, as is bottled water. Tea and coffee are also readily available. Tea tends to be of the green variety, and coffee will almost always come from a jar – ‘real’ coffee is quite hard to come by. Zimbabwe has a good selection of local beers, perhaps the best of which are Lion, Castle or Amstel. Imported beers and spirits are available in larger towns, but almost always cost more than their local equivalents.

Specialties:

• Sadza (a stiff maize meal) eaten with meat and/or gravy and a relish.

• Nhedzi soup (wild mushroom).

• Game meat, including ostrich, warthog and crocodile tail.

Regional drinks:

Whawha (traditional maize beer)

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE:

Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable

 

 

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.