Africa's Paradise Zimbabwe - Livingstone Safari

Zimbabwe
                Africa’s
                Paradise
Zimbabwe is unique in that it offers superb wilderness areas with exceptional game viewing experiences, which
has made this country so respected as a safari destination. For the adventurous, this is certainly a destination to see
wildlife and enjoy the accommodation at exceptionally competitive prices in unique locations. We would recommend
    access into the country via Victoria Falls, with private air charter flights recommended between the camps.

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS
You are required to have two blank passport pages and your passport must be valid six months
after travel. Most visitors are able to obtain visas at the port of entry into Zimbabwe, however,
different regulations apply according to nationality and country of origin and these are best
checked before leaving your home country.

The Governments of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe re-launched the Kavango Zambezi
Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA) Uni-Visa, which will be issued at a standard fee of
US$ 50 per person. Guests must have US$ 50 cash available for payment in the event that there
are no credit card payment facilities at the port of entry. The Uni-Visa is only available at the
following ports of entry:

               Zambia                                 Zimbabwe

  Harry Mwaanga Airport (Livingstone)              Victoria Falls Airport

        Victoria Falls Land Border              Victoria Falls Land Border

         Kazungula Land Border                   Kazungula Land Border
         (border with Botswana)                  (border with Botswana)

    Kenneth Kaunda Airport (Lusaka)                   Harare Airport

The Kaza Uni-Visa will only be valid for 30 days and act as a multiple entry visa as long as you
remain in Zimbabwe and Zambia i.e. clients can cross Zimbabwe/Zambia as frequently as they
like within the 30-day period. It also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through the
Kazangula Borders, however, it will not be valid if staying in Botswana overnight. In this case, you
will need to purchase a new Visa.

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS
Citizens from 40 countries listed below will be eligible for the Kaza Uni-Visa obtainable at the 8
ports of entry as stated above:

     Argentina         Czech Republic           Japan                Russia
       Austria            Denmark            Liechtenstein          Rwanda
      Australia            Finland           Luxembourg        Slovakia Republic
      Belgium              France              Monaco          Slovenia Republic
       Brazil             Germany            Netherlands             Spain
    Britain (UK)           Greece            New Zealand            Sweden
       Brunei             Hungary              Norway             Switzerland
      Burundi              Iceland              Poland               UAE

      Canada                Israel             Portugal             Uruguay
    Cook Islands             Italy            Puerto Rico            USA

Clients will be directed to the dedicated counter where the special visa shall be issued (the Visa is
for holiday purposes only and not for business purposes). If you would like to enter Zimbabwe or
Zambia and your nationality is not listed above then normal specific Zambia/Zimbabwe visa/
entry requirements apply. Please visit this link for more information on visa requirements:
http://www.evisa.gov.zw/VisaCategories

DEPARTURE TAX
International Departure Taxes are only applicable to Air Zimbabwe flights, as all of the other
airlines include this in their ticket prices, and is to be paid in US Dollars only, and in cash.
Currently, the International taxes are US$ 35 per person; Aviation Infrastructural Development
Fund – US$ 15 per person.

On Domestic light aircraft flights, the Departure Tax is US$ 5 per person, and this can only be
paid at the airport in cash. All commercial flight tickets include these departure taxes, but this is
applicable on all light aircraft departure.

HEALTH
    Malaria is prevalent, so unless you are going to stay entirely within Harare or Bulawayo,
    anti-malaria tablets is advised. During the rainy season, the risk of malaria is higher.

    The most important defences against malaria are:
•   Apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
•   Wear long-sleeved cotton clothing from dusk into the evening.
•   Tabard and Peaceful Sleep are commonly used insect repellents.

    Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A and Tetanus. We recommend that you only
    drink bottled water in Zimbabwe. Always check the latest recommendations with your travel
    clinic doctor.

    If you are travelling from a Yellow Fever infected country, you will be required to
    produce a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate upon arrival in Zimbabwe.

    CLIMATE
    Nature has given Zimbabwe one of the finest climates in the world, which is warm without being
    oppressive and with a daily average sunshine ranging from four to ten hours all year round.
    Generally, the days are bright and sunny and the night clear and cool. November to April are
    summer months (rainy season) while winter is from May to July, with generally dry weather and
    cool nights.

WHAT TO PACK
    As a general guide, comfortable, casual “wash and wear” clothes are recommended.
    Muted colours are preferred for game viewing if you are doing a Safari.

    The most practical items to pack:
•   Sun hat.
•   T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts.
•   Shorts / skirts (short skirts are not practical for getting in and out of 4x4
    game drive vehicles).
•   Long trousers for evenings and cooler days.
•   Closed walking shoes & sandals – preferably low healed or flat if you are going on safari.
•   Swim and Beachwear.
•   Jackets and sweaters are recommended for early morning and evening game drives.
•   Lightweight water-proof jacket.
•   Hat and gloves for the cold winter months.
•   More formal attire is appropriate for your stay at prestigious city hotels
    or on one of the luxury trains.
•   Good quality sunglasses.
•   Torch.
•   Malaria tablets (if applicable) & insect repellent.
•   Antihistamine tablets if you suffer from any allergies.
•   Anti-nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness.
•   Suntan lotion.
•   Basic medical kit.
•   Binoculars.
•   Sufficient memory cards and batteries for
    your camera equipment.

    Please note that if you are travelling on light aircraft there will be luggage restrictions (see page on
    luggage restrictions). You will have access to laundry facilities at most properties. Please ask your
    consultant for more details.

FLIGHTS & LUGGAGE
RESTRICTIONS
Check-in is 1 ½ hours prior to departure for domestic flights and 3 hours prior to
departure for international flights.

Some scheduled regional and inter-lodge flights may involve multiple stops before reaching the
final destination. Many flights are operated as air shuttle transfers and therefore departure times
may vary by up to one hour.

When travelling on normal scheduled international flights, the luggage limit is usually 20kgs per
person.

On light aircraft transfers there is usually a 20kg per person limit on luggage. This is for safety and
space reasons. Please note that this 20kg limit includes any cameras, camera bags and associated
equipment. Only soft bags will be accepted – no frames or rigid structures can be transported as
they physically cannot fit into the aircraft. Wheels on a bag are only permissible if they are not
part of the solid frame of rigid structure. A collapsible wheeled luggage frame/trolley (separate to
the bag) is allowed, as long as the basic dimensions are similar to that of the bag. The maximum
dimensions of the soft bags which can be accommodated are as follow: 25cm (10 inches) wide x
30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long.

If it is necessary to bring extra baggage, you are able to book an extra seat, allowing you to bring
an additional 70kgs (154lbs). The luggage limit is taken very seriously by charter companies.
Additional luggage can result in an extra aircraft being used and charter companies reserve the
right to charge for this service. The additional cost of this varies depending on the flight circuit
and routing, so please enquire for further details.

In summary, luggage on charter flights is limited to 20kgs (44lb) per person in a
soft bag which includes both check-in luggage and carry-on luggage.

ELECTRICITY
Zimbabwe operates on a 220-volt power supply and uses a 13 Amp square pin type plug.
If an adaptor is called for, consider bringing one with you. US-made appliances will need a
transformer.

CURRENCY
Zimbabwe’s official currency is now the United States Dollar. South African Rand is also accepted
but at a less competitive exchange rate. High-end Hotels accept credit cards. Even though
credit cards are widely accepted at most places, it is advisable to carry some cash in smaller
denominations with you.

We recommend you take small denominations of US$ with you as Zimbabwe is still very much a
cash society and there is limited access to ATM’s.

Only the latest series of US$ notes with the large presidential portraits should be used. Be aware
that many businesses including banks will not accept old US$ banknotes. The VAT rate is 15%.

TIPPING
Tipping during your holiday is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have
received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you:

Transfers:
We recommend about US$2 per guest for the driver per movement.

Touring (excluding Camp/Game Lodge) Driver and/or Guides:
For half day tours we recommend about US$10 and for a full day tour we recommend
US$15 per day.

Safari Guides/Trackers at Game Lodges:
We recommend about US$20 per room per day for the guide and US$10 per room per day
for the tracker.

Porterage:
We recommend about US$2 per guest per movement.

Hotel/Guest House/Game Lodge Staff:
We recommend about US$15 per room per day for hotel staff i.e. housekeeping, butler, etc.

Restaurants/Hotels:
10% is customary on meal accounts if you are satisfied with the service. For bigger groups of
10 people or more, some restaurants charge a mandatory service fee to the final bill.

CUISINE
Local and western food is served at most hotels and wholesome meals are served at the safari
camps and lodges. Local Zimbabweans depend on mealie meal or cornmeal as their staple food.
The cornmeal is normally served with vegetables, beans and meat.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
    The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263, followed by the destinations phone number.
    Calling from Zimbabwe, you dial 00 plus the relevant country code (0044 for Great Britain and
    011 for the States).

    TIME
    Zimbabwe is two hours in advance of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).

    LANGUAGE
    English is the official language of Zimbabwe and tourism staff are all well trained and
    experienced. The major ethnic languages are Shona and Sindebele.

    Useful phrases:

•   Hello - “ Mhoro “
•   Good Morning - “ Mangwanani “
•   Good Afternoon - “ Masikati “
•   Good Evening - “ Manheru “
•   Goodbye - “ Sara Zvakanaka “