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Zimbabwe Travel Tips
Tipping and gratuities
Tips of around 10% are expected by taxi drivers and in tourist-class
hotels and restaurants locating the area of the Victoria falls.
Some establishments automatically add a 10% service charge to
the bill, which replaces the gratuity.
Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because
you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline
to assist you: Camp, Game Lodge and Specialist Guides If the
guide has done a good job, we recommend US$5 per guest per day
for travel to Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and R50 per guest
per day for visitors to Namibia and South Africa. The General
Safari Camp / Lodge Staff Here we recommend about US$3 per guest
per day for safari camps in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and
R30 per guest per day for safari camps in Namibia and South
Africa. This should be placed in the communal tipping box to
be distributed equally amongst all the staff at a later stage
Hotel Staff Please allow between R5 and R10 per guest per day
for hotel staff ie housekeeping Porterage Here we recommend
about US$1 per person per movement. Transfer and Touring Driver/guides
Transfer R10 per person Half day tour R25 per person Full day
tour R50 per person Blue Train and Rovos Rail Cabin attendant
R100 per person per journey Waiter, Dining Car R75 per person
per journey Restaurants / Hotels 10% is customary on meal accounts
but only if you are satisfied with the service.
Visas
Visas are required by visitors from SA, USA, Australia,
NZ and many non-Commonwealth countries and can be purchased
at the port at entry to Zimbabwe. Passports must be valid
for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay and please
ensure that there are sufficient blank pages for any visas
as well as for entry stamps upon arrival.
Please note: Visa requirements are subject
to change without notification and therefore information needs
to be verified with relevant authorities.
Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50HZ; Square, 3-pin, 13 amp plugs are
in use
Communication
Telephone:
International dialing code: +263
Public telephones are available and Internet cafes can be
found in most major centres.
Language
English is the official language of business; however
the local language Shona and Sindebele will be useful talking
to some locals.
Currency
The local currency is the Zimbabwe dollar. As the currency
has greatly devalued over the past few years, it is common
to have to pay in foreign currency for many services.
Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday 08h00 - 15h00, Wednesday 08h00 - 13h00 and Saturday
08h00 - 11h30.
Hotels usually offer a more favorable exchange, and most
shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller’s
cheques and all major credit cards.
Please note: Certain lodges and restaurants
do not accept payment by Diners or American Express and credit
cards are not accepted at petrol filling stations.
Transport
By Air - Zimbabwe has eight airports, three of which are
international. They are: Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls
international.
By Road - Popular land borders include: the Victoria
Falls/Kazungala crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana (from
where you can continue through Chobe National Park to Namibia);
the Victoria Falls/Livingstone crossing to Zambia, and the
road and rail links to South Africa via Beitbridge. To Mozambique
(and Malawi), the route is from Harare to Blantyre via the
Nyamapanda and Mwanza border crossings. Daily buses run this
route.
All border posts are open daily
Food
There is an inspiring range of snacks from madora/mancimbi
(mopani worms), roast groundnuts, boiled mealies to biltong
(dried meat) to choose from. Sample Zimbabwe’s staple traditional
mealie sadza (thick porridge) and mhunga sadza (millet), or
a range of popular soups of nhedzi (wild mushroom), muboora
(pumpkin leaves) and game soup among many others. There is
also a range of wild game meat dishes varying from impala
and warthog to ostrich steak, eland stroganoff and crocodile
tail in cheese sauce as well as local fish dishes such as
Nyanga trout, Kariba bream and Kapenta (fresh and dry small
fish).
Safety
Many potential visitors believe a Zimbabwe safari is not
viable, influenced by news of political unrest in Zimbabwe.
Yet, the National parks are completely safe to visit, as they
are far from the cities where the instability exists.
Avoid walking at night and if possible by day alone in Harare
and Bulawayo.
There are pickpockets and confidence tricksters operating
in the cities – as there are in major centres through out
the world.
Health
Health insurance is essential. Government services are
unreliable and private care costs are extensive.
Food wise, un-pealed fruit, badly cooked meat, ice cubes
and untreated milk should be avoided. Purify water or make
sure it is clean. If you are not sure – rather avoid it. Bottled
water, soft drinks (sodas) and beer are usually widely available.
Vaccinations
A valid Yellow Fever inoculation certificate is required
if arriving from or via an infected area. Malaria risk exists
throughout the year and precautionary medication is necessary.
Other recommended vaccinations for all travelers include:
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningococcus, Hepatitis B and Rabies.
All travelers should be up-to-date on tetanus-diphtheria,
measles-mumps-rubella, and varicella immunizations.
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