General
Information followed
by About
Our Country
Places
to Visit
April
to October, the dry and cooler months
are best for game viewing though while
the summer is hot, many of the lodges
offer excellent low season rates and
the lush green and spectacular thunder
storms are very beautiful and atmospheric.
The main access points are Victoria
Falls which can be reached from Johannesburg
and Maun in Botswana and Harare which
can be reached by direct flight from
London and from Johannesburg as well
as several other regional capital
cities.
Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River,
Hwange National Park
If your safari includes charter flights
the luggage allowance will be 15 kgs
in soft duffel type bags.
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.; Wednesdays
8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-11.30
a.m.
Most major credit cards are widely
accepted. Traveller's cheques may
be exchanged at banks and hotels.
The Zimbabwe dollar (Z$) is divided
into 100 cents. There are no restrictions
on the import of foreign currency
(which must be declared on arrival),
although no more than Z$200 in local
currency may be imported.
It is customary to tip up to 15%.
Many camps and lodges have a communal
tipping box, if in doubt ask what
the standard practice is, or use your
own discretion. We suggest $US5 -
$US10 per couple per day.
GMT plus 2 hours
The game viewing winter months are
usually warm and sunny though, allowing
for light clothing but the early mornings
and evenings can be very, very cold.
During June and July temperatures
may drop below freezing so gloves,
a scarf and even a balaclava add to
the comfort of an early morning game
drive. From September you can expect
some very hot weather and yet still
need a sweater in the evening. On
safari, it is advisable to wear trousers
and stout, lace-up shoes, clothing
should be in natural, earthy or khaki
tones. Remember to take a hat, sunglasses
and sun block, a torch, insect repellent,
binoculars and plenty of camera film.
A detailed "What to Pack"
list will be provided with your documents.
220/240
volts, 50 cycles AC. Plugs have three
square pins.
Be wary of swimming in lakes, rivers
and natural reservoirs as they can
be infected with the bilharzia parasite.
There are many highly recommended
vaccinations and malarial treatments
- for information see your doctor
or travellers medical centre.
In Harare and in Victoria Falls you
can find almost all types of film
however we recommend that you take
your film from home. On safari, whenever
you take pictures with a zoom or telephoto
lens, it is preferable to use 200
or 400 ASA. Certain tribes will accept
being photographed, usually in exchange
for a small sum of money.
In towns, do not wear jewellery in
public and do not carry large sums
of money or a handbag. Use the hotel
safe for all your valuables, cameras
and passports. Do not respond to proposals
made in the street. As a general rule
take a taxi, particularly after dark.
On safari take the advice of your
guides, hosts and lodge management.
Hotels and lodges will provide drinking
water, elsewhere bottled water is
recommended.
Your passport will need to be valid
for at least 6 months from the date
of departure. Many nationalities require
a visa for Zimbabwe so please check
with the appropriate authorities.
The main entry points of Harare and
Victoria Falls have exchange and banking
facilities. There are airport buses
and metered taxis available.
The winter months, the typically dry
months are June to September - and
all are usually good for game viewing.
Many of the smaller water holes dry
up and foliage is thinner, making
it easier to locate and see animals.
May and October are the autumn and
spring times respectively, during
which intermittent rain should be
expected, and mornings and evenings
are warmer. The wet summer from October
to April can be very hot and is characterised
by clear mornings and afternoon thunderstorm
activity. At this time of year, the
bush is at its lushest and most beautiful,
and birds abound (including European
migrants). Days and nights are also
warm and mosquitoes are very active
at dawn and dusk.
About
Our Country
It
would be impossible to deny the political
unrest that has dogged Zimbabwe in
the last couple of years, however
those that do visit Zimbabwe will
find the rewards far out weigh the
perceived risks. Zimbabwe's tourism
highlights are well away from urban
centres and with a network of charter
and scheduled flights able to whisk
you into remote game viewing country,
it is easy to spend 2 weeks here and
never see or hear of trouble.
Much
of Zimbabwe consists of a central
plateau or highveld which stretches
from southwest to northeast with a
mountainous region along the Eastern
border rising up to 2440m (8000ft)
in altitude. From south to north the
country extends from the Limpopo to
the Zambezi, rivers with names that
evoke the mystery of Africa. Wildlife
is plentiful and you may choose to
see it on guided game drives, walking
safaris or from the river, whichever
way, you will be escorted by some
of Africa's most highly qualified
and informative safari guides.
Zimbabwe
is as rich in natural resources as
in natural beauty. The Eastern Highlands
boast golf courses and trout steams,
Mana Pools and Hwange National Parks
offer unparalleled game viewing and
there are another 8 more remote National
Parks. There are the historic ruins
of Great Zimbabwe and the spectacle
and adventure of Victoria Falls. All
this adds up to a safari experience
that is packed with diversity and
adventure.
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