ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
**Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**
UK guests please see the FCDO advice regarding entry requirements and the prevailing entry rules in response to coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe
US guests please see: https://zw.usembassy.gov and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Zimbabwe.html
IMPORTANT - As our Zimbabwe tour also travels into South Africa, please ensure you also check the requirements for entry to South Africa, as they differ to those for Zimbabwe.
Passports:
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay. It is advised to have 1 blank page in your passport. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport
Visas:
US, Canadian, British citizens may enter Zimbabwe for up to 30 days for tourist purposes on a single entry visa, which are obtainable upon arrival at the airport. The visas must be paid in cash to the immigration officials on processing. The current rate for single entry visas is USD $30 per person for US cititezens, USD $55 per person for UK passengers, and USD $75 for Canadian passengers. All other nationalities must check the visa entry requirements before your departure. You will need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.
Hotel details for Visa applications
Victoria Falls Hotel
1 Mallet Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 1344751
N.B. Please note, visa and entry requirements, regulations and restrictions can vary on a regular basis. Please ensure you check in good time prior to travel the current requirements applicable to you.
Travel Insurance:
All passengers must have valid travel insurance before traveling, including health and cancellation insurance. Please ensure you have a copy of your insurer’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and your policy number.
Medical Conditions and Personal Medication:
Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important:
- Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions and the contact details of your doctor.
- Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.
Travelling with CPAP or other Medical Machines:
Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at the time of booking, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There may be an additional charge for this.
LUGGAGE
• What to Pack and Wear
The weather in Zimbabwe will be variable. You will need clothes for hot weather as well as a warm, waterproof jacket and some layers, as it may be cooler in the evening. For the safaris it’s wise to pack khaki-coloured clothing as it blends better into the bush. Pack light and remember the basic essentials. We would also recommend a good pair of lightweight binoculars.
Insect repellent and sun cream are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards.
• Luggage Allowances
International airlines are often strict about the size and weight of checked in baggage and carry-on luggage. Prior to your departure, please contact your airline or visit their website for specific luggage requirements, as size and weight limitations may vary according to the airline and destination.
South Africa & Zimbabwe Journeys – These tours include internal flights in South Africa as well as flights to/from Zimbabwe. You are permitted one piece of hold luggage per person, at a maximum weight of 20kg (44lb) per piece and dimensions 190cm(L) 75cm(W) 65cm(H) per piece. You are also permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage per person up to 8kg (18lb), with maximum dimension of 56cm(L) 36cm (W) 23cm (H), so that it fits under the seat in front of you or in the overhead lockers. Additionally, one small personal item (e.g. a small purse, small laptop case) is also allowed. Larger laptop bags and standard/bulkier briefcases will NOT be considered a personal item and will count as the normal piece of hand baggage. These luggage restrictions apply equally for flights within South Africa and to Victoria Falls.
LANGUAGE
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages but English, Shona and Ndebele are the most widely spoken languages.
TIME ZONE
The time zone in Zimbabwe is GMT+2, 2 hours ahead of London GMT. There is no daylight saving and no time-zone changes.
WEATHER
In March in Zimbabwe, it is heading out of the rainy season and the temperatures are between 17°C/63°F and 30°C/86°F. You will still need your raincoat!
ELECTRICITY
In Zimbabwe, the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50Hz. Two types of plug are used - Type G (UK style three square pins) and Type D (three round pins, used in India and some African countries) and you will need a plug adaptor and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. Please note, blackouts are common in Zimbabwe.
MOBILES & INTERNET COMMUNICATION
Moblie coverage is widely avaliable across Zimbabwe, be sure to check with your mobile provider for coverage and rates, as data roaming can be extremely expensive.
MONEY
• Currency
Zimbabwe’s economic situation remains unpredictable. Whilst the primary legal tender in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL), it is currently possible for tourists to transact using the US Dollar at the official exchange rate. There are some bureaux de change which will accept and change foreign currency, particularly US dollars. The exchange rate is currently unpredictable.
Prices and transactions will mainly be in Zimbabwean dollars but US dollars are widely accepted. You should check before making a transaction whether the price quoted is in Zimbabwean or US dollars as the symbol for both is $. It is recommended to check exchange rates prior to any transaction. You should check in advance what payment methods a restaurant, hotel or tour operator will accept. Some businesses, including some medical providers, may not accept payment by credit or debit card.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a shortage of cash. Cash withdrawals can be made at some ATMs and bank branches with an international bank card but availability cannot always be guaranteed.
•Gratituies
After feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour, more information on this will be shared in the 'Pre-Tour Emails'.
WATER
In general, the tap water in Zimbabwe is not safe to drink. Do not drink from streams, rivers and lakes and it is best to avoid drinking from pumps and wells – as animal presence can still contaminate supplies. Bottled water can be bought at hotels, supermarkets, kiosks and many shops.
SAFETY & SECURITY
As visitors, tourists may be more vulnerable to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams, so we recommend staying aware and taking simple precautions.
RELIGION
Zimbabwe is predominantly Christian, with almost 70% of the population belonging to Protestantism. With Catholicism and other denominations, it accounts for over 85% Zimbabweans.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Zimbabwe offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries and a spare memory card! Please mote, taking photographs of members of police and armed forces personnel and of demonstrations and protests is not permitted.
ARRIVAL IN ZIMBABWE
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.
If you have any other questions that we have not covered here; then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com
Disclaimer: The above information is provided as a guideline only. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document.
Updated November 2024