Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, Overland Africa, Rafting, Safaris, Accomodations

Thank you for thinking of Zimbabwe for your holiday! We look forward to meeting you! Before you come there are some basic issues we would like to cover so that you are well prepared and are better equipped to have a fun, safe, uneventful journey through our country.

For the past few years there hasbeen political unrest in Zimbabwe. It is important to note that the trouble areas in this country are confined to big cities and certain farming areas. To put your mind at rest these areas are at closest 400 kms from Victoria Falls and the areas that you will be travelling in while on safari with us.

In Towns and cities security and safety precautions should be taken as in any urban area of the developing world, and in fact most major cities in the developed world . Do not walk around at night, or in deserted places during the day. Muggings, pick pocketing and bag snatching do occur, and because of the deteriorating economic conditions and rising unemployment here these crimes are on the rise . Also, if you do happen to be in any of our cities avoid large gatherings as there is always the chance of a public demonstration flaring because of the political unrest.

In spite of our problems here Zimbabwe is a beautiful country - you will find the people helpful and friendly. They will go out of their way to give you personal attention and make you feel at home making your stay here a holiday to remember.

Lastly, one thing you need to remember when visiting Zimbabwe. No matter what your views of the situation and conflict that we are experiencing, we need your investment to support our people and our resources. Tourism supports a huge part of our ailing economy and without you our natural resources will die and the country along with it.

If you require a visa to enter Zimbabwe this can usually be obtained when entering the country. It is best to check for updated information from the nearest Zimbabwean embassy, or let us know your nationality and we can find out for you. A few countries do need to apply for visas in advance. For most countries a single entry is US$30.00 and a double entry is US$45.00. For British Nationals it is $55.00 for a single entry and $70.00 for a double. It is important that people know about the double entry visa as you will generally not be told this on entering the country and if you spend more than a day out of the country (in Zambia or Botswana ) and want to re-enter Zimbabwe you will be required to pay the full single entry again if you do not have the double entry. If you are only out of the country for a day the single entry visa is sufficient.

Please Note: If you are flying out of Livingstone, Zambia you are required to pay for a full visa ( unless you stay over there for two days before departure and cross over on a manifest). You cannot pay for a day visa as they will make you pay for a full visa at the airport when you go through customs. You will also have to pay US$20 departure tax on the Zambian side, whereas it is included in the price of the ticket if you fly out of Victoria Falls.

Do not change money on the streets. This is illegal and a criminal offence which at best could get you deported and at worse get you some time in a Zimbabwean jail. Most of the street money changers are very adept at somehow giving you a bundle of newspaper after offering some amazingly tempting exchange rate.

You must seek local advice before changing money. US$ cash is the best currency to have.

All Zimbabwean companies accept travellers cheques or cash in the main international currencies. You cannot pay for activities in Zimbabwe by Credit card. Activities booked in Zambia or Botswana can be paid for with credit card as they charge your card in US$. In Zambia and Botswana a visa card is the best credit card to carry as a number of companies do not take Master Card.

Entry into Victoria Falls for all SADC countries is R115.00 or P65.00. Residents of all other countries have to pay US$20.00, R230.00, GBP15, EU 20.00 or Pula 130.00 This can be paid in cash or Travellers cheques - change will be given in Zim dollars at the bank rate you must have the right amount of money or you will lose out. . On the Zambian side it costs US$10.00 also payable in cash and a day visa if needed into Zambia is $10.00. The area of the Falls in Zimbabwe is more than double the size than the Falls in Zambia and when the water is low there is not much water coming over the Falls on the Zambian side, so viewing the Falls in Zambia from September to December could be a disappointment.

Due to a number of incidences of lost baggage, which generally do seem to turn up a day or two later, it is advisable when flying through Joburg to Vic Falls from another destination to check your baggage off your original flight in Joburg and back onto the Vic Falls flight.

Please ensure you book this in advance. The taxis at the airport take advantage of new arrivals and charge double what they should be charging.

It is important that you take out comprehensive insurance to cover you for cancellation or curtailment of your safari , medical expenses, personal baggage, emergency evacuation back home and money. Victoria Falls and most of Zimbabwe is in a malaria area. It is therefore essential that you take anti malaria drugs . Laruim/Mefloquin based drugs should be avoided. We recommend Malarone and this should be taken 1 day before entering a malaria area and discontinued for 2 weeks after.A comprehensive medical kit should be carried as there is a shortage of a number of drugs in Zimbabwe and you could also be in areas than will not be near a pharmacy. Although tap water is safe to drink in Victoria Falls, bottled water is easily obtained.

Category A: Counties whose nationals do not require visa

Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Beliza, Botswana, Caymen, Congo ( DRC) Cyprus) Fiji, Granada, Hong Kong, Hong Kong ( China) , Jamaica, Kenya, Karibati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Maila, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Samoa Western, Singapore, Soloman Islands, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turk & Calcoa Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda

Catergory B: Countries whose nationals are granted visas at port of entry on payment of the requisite visa fee. ( US$30 for a single entry or US$45 for a double entry unless otherwise indicated)

Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, *British, Brunei, **Canada, Cook Island, Denmark, Dominic Rep, Egypt, Finland, French, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Iceland, *Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea ( South), Kuwait, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Monoco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau Island, Palestine, Papau New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, United States of America, Vatican, Virgin Islands

*US$55 for a single entry and US$70 for a double entry

** US$65 for a single entry ( can only get a single entry)

Category C: Counttries whose nationals are required to apply and obtain visa pror to traveling.

Afghanistan, Albanioa, Angola, Azerbeljan, Bahrain, Bangledesh, Belerus, Benin, Bhulan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brezzaville, Bulgeria, Burkina Fasso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Island, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comores Islands, Congo ( Brezaville), Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Rep, Djibouti Rep, El Salvador, Equator, Equatorial Guinnea, Estonia, Ethiopia, French Guinnea, French Polynesia, French West Indies, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Guam, Guatamala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Hungary, India, Uran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhistan, Korea ( DPRK), Krygystan, Laos, Latavia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macau, Madagasscar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Meldova, Mongolia, Morrocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepel, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nie, Niger, Nigeria, Norfolk Islands, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Phillipines, Principe, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia Fed, Rwanda, Samoa ( America), San Marino, Sao Torne, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovac Rep, Stovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisie, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yeme Rep, Yugoslavia