LANGUAGE
English is one of the official languages on Zimbabwe, and is widely spoken and throughout the country. Ndebele, Shona, Venda, Tsonga and Tonga are also spoken in the country.
CURRENCY
The national currency is the Bond Note, however the US Dollar is accepted in the country. The easiest currencies to convert are the US Dollar, GB Pound and South African Rand. Foreign currency can be changed at banks, bureaux de change and authorized hotels. ATMs will accept most visa cards, and most credit cards can be used in accommodating lodges and hotels.
BANKING
Banking hours are usually from Monday to Friday
08h00 to 15h00
Wednesdays
08h00 to 13h00
and Saturdays
08h00 to 11h30
OTHER
Electricity is supplied between 220-230V in Zimbabwe, and there are charging facilities in almost every lodge and hotel. Most will also have international adaptors available however it is wise to travel with one incase.
There are several shops and shopping centers in Victoria Falls, Harare and other small towns basic commodities can be obtained.
TIME ZONE
Zimbabwe is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
One hour ahead of Central European Time.
Seven hours ahead of Eastern USA time.
Ten hours ahead of Western USA time.
CONNECTIVITY
There is WIFI or dial up internet access available at most lodges and hotels, however some are located in remote areas that will not be covered by internet or cellphone reception. SIM cards can be purchased for cellphones in most shops and service stations. The main mobile operators are Econet and Net.One.
The dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263.
CLIMATE & TERRAIN
Zimbabwe can be very dry during the dry season, April to October, and relatively warm. The temperature increases before the rains and the country can become very hot from October to February, with heavy humidity in most areas. Zimbabwe has a very varied terrain. Some areas consist of vast floodplains, some are low mopane bushveld, some open grass plains and other areas that have lots of hills.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Zimbabwe has decent medical care in Victoria Falls and Harare. A yellow fever certificate is required if you are traveling from an affected area. Certain areas of Zimbabwe are malaria zones and it is recommended that visitors visit their doctors a few weeks before their date of travel and begin a course of anti-malaria tablets prior to entering the country. It is advisable to keep your valuables locked away or on your person.
VISAS & TRAVEL
Zimbabwe is making use of the KAZA UNIVISA which can be purchased on arrival in Harare or Victoria Falls. This will travelers to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia with ease.
Please click here for visa requirements for your country.
VICTORIA FALLS
CLIMATE & SEASONS
Dry Season: April to October
Wet Season: November to March
The end of the dry season sees a drop in water levels of the Zambezi River. The mornings and nights can be quite chilly. The temperatures can rise from around 25°C to an average of 35°C in October. December to February are the wettest months, and the temperatures remain high, averaging 30°C during the day.
BIRDING
There are approximately 400 bird species in the Zambezi National Park. This is a great destination for avid birders. Migratory birds are seen during the wet season.
Species to be seen: African skimmer, African finfoot, Pel's fishing owl, Collared palm-thrush, Osprey, Squacco heron, Slaty egret, Half-collared kingfisher
WILDLIFE
Guests can visit the Zambezi National Park to view wildlife while visiting Victoria Falls. Four of the Big 5 are present, but are not always easily spotted. Rhino are not present in the park. Lion can be seen on occasion, leopard sightings are quite rare. Wild dog can be seen here as well.
Species to be seen: Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Wild dog, Crocodile, Hippo, Giraffe, Sable, Eland, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Baboon and Banded mongoose
ACCESS
Guests can fly into Victoria Falls from most surrounding countries. Guests traveling from Kasane can travel by road to Victoria Falls. Guests coming from Livingstone can enter Victoria Falls by crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge border crossing.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
CLIMATE & SEASONS
Dry Season: April to October
Wet Season: November to March
Hwange can become quite cold in the winter months, from the end of May to the beginning of September, especially at night and in the mornings. Night time temperatures can average 6°C. The wet season is typically hot and humid, day time temperatures average around 32°C. The rain usually begins in November and continues through to March. During this very rainy period daytime temperatures are cooler and more pleasant.
BIRDING
There are over 420 bird species in Hwange. This area is excellent for raptor sightings. Migratory species are in the area during the wet season.
Species to be seen include: Bronze-winged courser, Red-billed francolin, Rufous-naped lark, Burchell's sandgrouse, Bradfield's hornbill, African golden oriole, Goliath heron, African skimmer
WILDLIFE
All five of the Big 5 are present in Hwange, however rhino sightings are extremely rare. Hwange has one of the largest wild dog populations in Africa. It is also one of the best spots in Zimbabwe to see giraffe. Brown hyena are also present in the area. Hwange is also a great place to visit to see big predators.
Species to be seen: Lion, Wild dog, Cheetah, Leopard, Elephant, Wildebeest, Hyena, Zebra, Buffalo, Giraffe, Roan, Gemsbok, Kudu, Hippo and Sable
ACCESS
Chartered flights are available into the Hwange area from Safari Logistics. Main camp is about a 200km drive from Victoria Falls.
MANA POOLS
CLIMATE & SEASONS
Dry Season: April to October
Wet Season: November to March
The winter months, May to September, are dry and relatively hot with temperatures averaging 27°C. The nights and mornings can get quite cold, around 10°C. The temperature rises in October, it can reach between 35°C to 40°C during the day. The wet season can be very humid, the temperatures usually remain in the low 30s. The rains are heaviest from December to February, sometimes it may rain continuously for days.
BIRDING
There are over 350 species of bird in Mana Pools. There are plenty of waterbirds in this area. This is also a good spot to see carmine bee-eaters. The wet season is the best time to see birds in this area.
Species to be seen: African Skimmer, Lilian's lovebird, Nyasa lovebird, Pel's fishing owl, Rufous-bellied heron, Sombre Greenbul
WILDLIFE
Four of the Big 5 can be seen in Mana Pools, rhino are not present in the area. Lion and leopard exist in healthy numbers in the region. There are large herds of elephant and buffalo to be seen. Wild dog are also fairly common to spot in this region. Giraffe and wildebeest
are not present in the region.
Species to be seen: Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Wild dog, Crocodile, Hippo and Honey badger
ACCESS
Chartered flights are available to Mana Pools with Safari Logistics. Mana Pools is about 380km from Harare.
KARIBA
CLIMATE & SEASONS
Dry Season: April to October
Wet Season: November to March
The winter months are very dry, however temperatures are fairly high, around 25°C to 29°C. The mornings and nights can be quite cool, around 10°C. Temperatures reach a high in October, averaging between 35 - 40°C. The rains usually start in November, and continue on to mid March. The temperatures remain high, around 30°C during the day. The rain can sometimes be continuous for days.
BIRDING
There are over 200 bird species in the area. This is an excellent destination for spotting waterbirds There are many migratory birds present during the wet season.
Species to be seen: Fish eagle, Comorant, Darter, African finfoot, Goliath heron, Osprey, Long-toed lapwing, Verreaux's eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Carmine bee-eater
WILDLIFE
All five of the Big 5 can be seen in Matusadona National Park. Lion and leopard exist in healthy numbers. Hyena are also present in the region. There are plenty hippo and crocodile in Lake Kariba, and a good number of waterbuck. There are large herds of buffalo present in the area. Black rhino are present in the region.
Species to be seen: Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Hippo, Crocodile, Kudu, Waterbuck, Sable, Eland, Impala, Roan, Hyena and Clawless otter
ACCESS
The Matusadona National Park is approximately 470km from Harare. Safari Logistics offers charted flights to the area. Guests can also reach the park by boat from Kariba.
MATOPOS
CLIMATE & SEASONS
Dry Season: April to October
Wet Season: November to March
Temperatures are fairly high during the dry season, averaging 22°C, however the mornings and nights can be quite cold, around 5-10°C. October doesn't get too hot, averaging 28°C. The rains in the wet season usually come in the form of afternoon showers, followed by sunshine. The temperature remains high during the wet season, between 25 - 27°C.
BIRDING
There are more than 320 bird species in the area. This is an excellent destination for raptor sightings. There is a large population of Verreaux's eagle in the park.
Species to be seen: African hawk eagle, Martial eagle, Grey tit-flycatcer, Lanner falcon, Crowned eagle, African hawk eagle, Mottled swift
WILDLIFE
This is a great destination to spot rhino, it is likely that guest will see atlas one rhino during their trip to Matobo National Park, if guided by the right guide. White rhino are easier to spot here than black rhino. Elephant and lion aren't present in this region. This is also an excellent destination for leopard sightings, they are present in healthy populations.
Species to be seen: White rhino, Black rhino, Leopard, Klipspringer, Tsessebe, Eland, Kudu, Sable and Rock hyrax
ACCESS
Matobo National Park is a short distance from Bulawayo, approximately 50km. Flights are available to Bulawayo.