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TreyRatcliff'sZimbabweSafari2019
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TreyRatcliff'sZimbabweSafari2019
ChobeRiverFront-GonarezhouNationalPark-MatoboNationalPark-VictoriaFalls,Zimbabwe11Days/10Nights
14PersonsDateofIssue:28January2019
18September2019-28September2019
ClickheretoviewyourDigitalItinerary
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IntroductionAnexclusivetourofBotswanaandZimbabwe.Highlightsinclude:
-Waterandland-basedsafarisintheChobeNationalParkofBotswana
-VictoriaFalls
-Atribalculturalweekendasaguestofthechief
-Privilegedaccesstowatchtheannualculturalceremony
ThetourstartsatKasaneInternationalAirportinBotswanaandendsatVictoriaFallsInternationalAirportinZimbabwe.
KeyB&B:BedandBreakfastFI:FullyInclusive
Day1:Wednesday,18SeptemberChobeSafariLodge,ChobeRiverFront
ChobeRiverFrontTheChobeRiverformsthenorthernboundaryoftheChobeNationalPark,renownedforitsdiverseandabundantgameviewingopportunities.Thissectionoftheparkisbestknownforitsdenseconcentrationofwildlifeincludingelephantandhippopopulations,butthewatersattractallmannerofgameincludinglargeherdsofbuffaloandthelionsthatpreyonthem.AvisittothisareaguaranteescloseencounterswithanarrayofAfricanwildlife.Visitorscanlookforwardtosomeexcitingactivitiessuchas:drivingalongthegame-dottedriverbanksina4WD;cruisingalongtheriverinamotorboat,spottingrarebirdlifeandforaunique,luxurysafariexperience,hireahouseboat.
Activities
Accommodation Destination Start End Basis RoomType Duration
ChobeSafariLodge ChobeRiverFront 18Sep 20Sep
FI 1xFamilyroom,1xStandardroom
2Nights
ChiloGorgeSafariLodge GonarezhouNationalPark
20Sep 23Sep
FI 7xTwinRoom 3Nights
AmalindaLodge MatoboNationalPark
23Sep 26Sep
FI 7xTwinRoom 3Nights
VictoriaFallsSafariClub VictoriaFalls,Zimbabwe
26Sep 28Sep
B&B 3xStandardroom,4xSuite
2Nights
ChobeSafariLodgeBoatCruises
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ChobeSafariLodgeBoatCruisesChobeBoatCruisesareawonderfulwaytoexperiencetheChobeNationalPark.HerdsofelephantscanbeseencrossingtheChoberiverintotheislandwhichisaspectacularsighttowitness.Otheranimalspeciessuchashipposandcrocodilescanbeseenlounginginthesunbytheriverside.
Theboatcruisesareavailableinanumberofdifferentoptions.Thestandardcruiseboardsapproximately30-40people.Thebiggerboatsfeatureabaronboardforrefreshmentswhilethesmallerboatsareperfectforbirdwatching.BoatcruisesdepartfromthetownofKasaneateitherthemorningorafternoondepartures.Aprivateboatcruisecanbearrangedforalternatetimes.
Transfers
Overnight:ChobeSafariLodge ViewiBrochureChobeSafariLodgeissituatedinKasaneonthebanksoftheChobeRiverandsharesaborderwithChobeNationalPark.RightonthedoorstepisthemeetingoffourAfricancountries:Botswana,Namibia,ZimbabweandZambia.ChobeSafariLodgethereforeoffersanexcellentgetawaylocationtoChobe,VictoriaFallsorCaprivi.
ThecloseproximitytoVictoriaFallsInternationalAirport,LivingstoneInternationalAirportandKasaneInternationalAirportmakesiteasilyaccessible,withdailyroadtransfersorcharterflightsconnectingalltheseairportswithChobeSafariLodge.Thelodgehasbeenrecentlyrenovated;matchingamagicallodgeexperiencetothespectaculargameviewing.
BasisFullyInclusive
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
18Sep ChobeSafariLodge
KasaneAirport[BBK] ChobeSafariLodge Transfer
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Day2:Thursday,19SeptemberChobeSafariLodge,ChobeRiverFront
Activities
ChobeSafariLodgeGameDriveChobeSafariLodgeGameDriveoffersgueststheopportunitytoviewabundantspeciesofanimallifeincludingelephantsupclose.Thereisalsothepossibilityofencounteringalargepredator.Thegamedriveshavethreedeparturetimesduringthetime,whichallhaveadurationofapproximatelythreehours.Alternativearrangementscanbemadetobookeitherahalforfulldaydrivewithapicniclunch.
ChobeSafariLodgeBoatCruisesChobeBoatCruisesareawonderfulwaytoexperiencetheChobeNationalPark.HerdsofelephantscanbeseencrossingtheChoberiverintotheislandwhichisaspectacularsighttowitness.Otheranimalspeciessuchashipposandcrocodilescanbeseenlounginginthesunbytheriverside.
Theboatcruisesareavailableinanumberofdifferentoptions.Thestandardcruiseboardsapproximately30-40people.Thebiggerboatsfeatureabaronboardforrefreshmentswhilethesmallerboatsareperfectforbirdwatching.BoatcruisesdepartfromthetownofKasaneateitherthemorningorafternoondepartures.Aprivateboatcruisecanbearrangedforalternatetimes.
BasisFullyInclusive
ChobeSafariLodgeGameDrive
ChobeSafariLodgeBoatCruises
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Day3:Friday,20SeptemberChiloGorgeSafariLodge,GonarezhouNationalPark
GonarezhouNationalParkBorderingMozambiqueinthesoutheasternlowveldofZimbabwe,Gonarezhou,meaning‘placeofelephants’,isZimbabwe’ssecond-largestnationalparkandhometoover10000elephants.Theparkextendsacrossavastareaoffloodplains,baobab-dottedscrubland,mopanewoodlandandpaleorangesandstonecliffs.Itishometo4ofAfrica’s‘BigFive’–elephant,leopard,lionandbuffalo–aswellasamultiplicityofotheranimalandbirdspecies.Visitorscancampinanunfencedcampsiteforatrulycloseencounterwithanarrayofspectacularwildlifeincluding140speciesofmammal,atleast100differentreptilespeciesandover500speciesofbird.Otherhighlightsinclude:viewingthebeautifulChilojoCliffstoweringoverthescenicRundeRivervalley,birdwatchingandgameviewing.
FlightInformation
Transfers
Overnight:ChiloGorgeSafariLodge ViewiBrochureChiloGorgeisaluxurysafarilodgeontheedgeofthestunningwildernessofGonarezhouNationalPark,inSouth-EastZimbabwe.WeofferguestsaccesstothepristinewildernessofGonarezhou,withtheauthenticanimalinteractionwhichgoeswithaparkwhichisrarelyvisited.GonarezhouisagemamongstAfricanparks,andoffersexperiencedsfaraitravellersandincreasinglyrareabilitytoexploreuntouchedAfrica.Inaddition,throughtheworkofChilodirector,CliveStockil,thereisaverypowerfulcommunityandconservationstorywhichisatthecentreofhowthelodgeoperates.
ChiloGorgeTentedCampisasemi-luxuryseasonaltentedcamponthebanksoftheRundeRiver.Thisisan'oldAfrica'campingexperience,withagoodstandardofcomfort,andagreatplacefromwhichtoexploreGonarezhoubyvehicleandonfoot.
IvoryTrailAdventureisamobileflycampingexperience,allowingexperiencedsafaritravellerstheabilitytoexploreremotecornersofthislargeparkatarelaxedpace.
Date Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport
Time Class Ref
20Sep Caravan+Navajo(CharterFlight)
VictoriaFallsInternationalAirport[VFA]
ChiloGorgeSafariLodge
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
20Sep ChobeSafariLodge VictoriaFallsInternationalAirport[VFA]
Transfer
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BasisFullyInclusive
Day4:Saturday,21SeptemberChiloGorgeSafariLodge,GonarezhouNationalPark
DayItinerary• WestarttheculturalexperiencewithavisittoMahenyevillage,includingtheSecondarySchoolandlocal
Clinic.Itwillbeacolourfulandinformativemorning,andguestsareencouragedtointeractwiththelocalvillagers.Thisisauniqueopportunitytospendtimeexploringanauthenticvillage,andwatchdailyvillagelifeinoneofZimbabwe’sremotestcorners.Thevillageisa15mindriveineitherminibusorsafarivehicles.
• PacklunchwillbetakenonNgwachumeniisland,whichiswheretheCAMPFIREprojectoriginated35yearsago.Potentialtovisitthelocalpalmforest,tomeettheresidentpalmwinemaker.Hewillexplainhowpalmwineisproduced,togetherwithprovidingdifferentsamplesfortasting.
• Afterlunch,jointhevillagersfortheannualMahenyefestival.EnjoythesightsandsoundsoftheShangaandancersandsingers.Storytellingisasignificantpartofthefestival–teachingtheyoungergenerationsabouttheancienttraditionsandcustoms–andourguideswillbeonhandtotranslate.
BasisFullyInclusive
Day5:Sunday,22SeptemberChiloGorgeSafariLodge,GonarezhouNationalPark
BasisFullyInclusive
Day6:Monday,23SeptemberAmalindaLodge,MatoboNationalPark
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MatoboNationalParkIdyllicallylocatedinthespectacularMatoboHills,therenownedMatoboNationalParkisknownforitsrichhumanhistory,itsremarkablydiversefloraandfaunaanditsmagnificentruggedterrain.Thisunspoilednaturalwildernessfeaturesarangeofmassivered-tinged,granitebouldersinterspersedwithgorgeouswoodedvalleysmakingitadreamdestinationforhikers,climbersandnatureloversalike.Thereserveiscompact,easilyaccessibleandishometoanimpressiverangeofAfricanwildlifeincludingthehighlyendangeredblackandwhiterhinoceros,zebra,wildebeest,giraffe,cheetah,hippo,warthogandcrocodileaswellasAfrica'slargestconcentrationofleopardandblackeagles.ThisunforgettablenationalparkservesasanidealstopoverfortravellersheadingtothepopulartouristsitesofHwangeandthemajesticVictoriaFalls.
FlightInformation
Transfers
Overnight:AmalindaLodge ViewiBrochureAmalindaLodge,anAfricaninspiredrefuge,whereworld-classfacilitiescombinewiththespiritualenergy,allureanduniquebeauty,forwhichtheMatoboHillsissocelebrated.
ThegranitedomesandcastlekopjesoftheMatoboHills,Zimbabwe,areamongthemostmajesticrocksceneriesintheworld.NestledinthisuniquerangeofhillsisCampAmalinda,situatedonly45kmsfromBulawayo.Amalindaconsistsofnineindividuallythatchedroomsincluding3honeymoonsuites,3familyrooms,2doublerooms&1singleroom,whichareallsetintothehugeboulders.EachroomissteepedinAfricanhistoricalartefactsofabygoneeraandtuckedawayintoanancientbushman’sshelter,CampAmalinda’scharmwillleaveanindelibleimpressiononeveryvisitor.
BasisFullyInclusive
Date Flight Airline DepartureAirport
Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
23Sep Caravan+Navajo(Charter
Flight)
ChiloGorgeSafariLodge
JoshuaMqabukoNkomoInternationalAirport[BUQ]
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
23Sep JoshuaMqabukoNkomoInternationalAirport[BUQ]
AmalindaLodge Transfer
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Day7:Tuesday,24SeptemberAmalindaLodge,MatoboNationalPark
Activities
RhinoTrackingTheMatoboHillsisoneofthelastbastionsofbothblackandwhiterhinoinAfrica.Rhinotrackingbyvehicleoronfoot,withskilledandknowledgeableguides,isoneofthemostunforgettablesafariexperiencestoencounter.
BasisFullyInclusive
Day8:Wednesday,25SeptemberAmalindaLodge,MatoboNationalPark
BasisFullyInclusive
Day9:Thursday,26SeptemberVictoriaFallsSafariClub,VictoriaFalls,Zimbabwe
VictoriaFalls,ZimbabweRestingonthesouthernbanksoftheZambeziRiveratthewesternendoftheeponymousfalls,thispopulartouristtowniscompactenoughtowalkaroundandmakesanidealbasefortravellersexploringtheseventhwonderoftheworld,theunfathomablyvastVictoriaFalls.Abouttwo-thirdsofthefallscanbeviewedfromtheZimbabweansideand,whilethefallsareundoubtedlythestarattraction,theareaprovidesbothadventureseekersandsightseerswithplentyofopportunitiestowarrantalongerstay.Popularactivitiesincludescenicflightsoverthefallsinhelicoptersormicrolights,bungeejumpingofftheVictoriaFallsBridge,white-waterrafting(seasonal),anddaytripstoChobeNationalPark.ThetownitselfofferssomeexcellentaccommodationandrestaurantoptionsaswellasaneclecticvarietyofAfricancuriosandauthenticartsoldbyfriendlyZimbabweanlocalswhoarewonderfullywelcomingandeagertohelpyouenjoyyourstay.
Activities
Ra-IkaneSunsetCruiseSummer(AugusttoApril)16:00,Winter(MaytoAugust)15:30
DURATION:2Hours|MINPAX:2
RhinoTracking
Ra-IkaneSunsetCruise
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EnjoyabriefhistoryoftheriverwithacocktailinhandasyousetoutontheSunsetCruise.Snackondelicaciesfromthehighteaselection,aswellasotherdelectablesnacks,andbetreatedtoanyofthethirst-quenchingbeveragesfromthefully-stockedbar,whileyoutakeinthewildZambezi.
FlightInformation
Transfers
Overnight:VictoriaFallsSafariClub ViewiBrochureLocatedjust4kmsfromVictoriaFalls,andsituatedwithinthemagnificentgroundsoftheVictoriaFallsSafariLodgeresort.
TheSafariClubcomprises16ClubRooms&4ClubSuites.Theluxuriousroomshaveuninterruptedviewsoftheunspoiltbushveldandspectacularsunsets.Allroomshavethree-quarterbedsthatcanbeconvertedintokingbeds.Thereare2setsofinterleadingClubRoomsand2setsofClubSuitesinterleadingintoClubRooms.Roomfacilitiesinclude:complimentaryminibarwhichisre-stockeddailywithlocalbeerandsoftdrinks,housewineandbottledwater,digitalsafeslargeenoughtoholdlaptopcomputers,internationalmultisockets,beveragestationincludingNespressomachine,LEDlighting,gauzescreensandslidingglassdoorsopeningoutontoaprivatebalcony,complimentaryWiFi,andair-conditioning.TheClubSuitesofferthesamefacilitiesastheClubRooms,butalsoincludeaspaciousadjacentsittingroom.
TheSafariClubhasitsownClubLounge,andoffersabutler-styleservice,complimentaryafternoonteaandpastriesserved15h30to16h30,complimentarysundownersandcanapésservedfrom17h30to18h30andacomplimentaryshuttleservicetotheVictoriaFalls,towncentreandmarkets.Lightmealsareavailablefrom11h00to21h30andbarservicefrom11h00tilllate.
Date Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
26Sep CharterFlight
JoshuaMqabukoNkomoInternationalAirport[BUQ]
VictoriaFallsInternationalAirport[VFA]
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
26Sep AmalindaLodge JoshuaMqabukoNkomoInternationalAirport[BUQ]
Transfer
26Sep VictoriaFallsInternationalAirport[VFA]
VictoriaFallsSafariClub Transfer
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BasisBed&Breakfast
Day10:Friday,27SeptemberVictoriaFallsSafariClub,VictoriaFalls,Zimbabwe
DayItineraryMistsofTimeTour
ThistourbeginswiththestoryoftheVictoriaMissionaryandExplorerDavidLivingstone.Explorenotonlythegreatestwaterfallonearth,butitsplaceinhistoryfromtheearliestresidentstothefirstEuropeanVisitor,thebuildingofthebridgeandthemanycolourfulcharactersthatpassedthiswayintime.ThisisafascinatingsliceofAfrica’sstorythatwillleaveyouwithadeeperunderstandingofthecontinents,Past,PresentandFuturesetagainstthebackdropoftheoneofthesevennaturalwondersoftheworld.
Activities
BasisBed&Breakfast
Day11:Saturday,28SeptemberEndofItinerary
Transfers
BasisBed&Breakfast
'MistsofTime'AfricanHeritageTour
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
28Sep VictoriaFallsSafariClub
VictoriaFallsInternationalAirport[VFA]
Transfer
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UrgentContactNumbers
ServiceProviderDirectory
CompanyName Telephone EmailAddress ContactPerson
ExperientialTravel +61418325812 [email protected] NevilleJones
ServiceProvider Ref.Number Telephone Address
AmalindaLodge +2639243954 23OldGwandaRoad,Hillside,Bulawayo
ChiloGorgeSafariLodge +263774999059 PrivateBag7013,Chiredzi,Zimbabwe
VictoriaFallsSafariClub +2631343211 Stand471SquireCummingsRoadVictoriaFallsZimbabwe
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TravelInformation
SituatedinthesouthernreachesofAfrica,Botswanaisrenownedforitspristinewildernessareascharacterisedbydeeplagoons,wetlands,lushpalms,ruggedhillsanddesertplainsscatteredwithscrubland.Thecountry’sprimarytouristdrawcardisundoubtedlythevastredexpanseoftheKalahariDesertanditsremarkablybeautifulOkavangoDelta,thelargestinlanddeltaintheworld.ThesenaturalwondersprovideatranquilhavenforanabundanceofAfricanwildlifetothrive.OtherhighlightsincludetheimpressiveMakgadikgadiSaltPans,wherevisitorsareprivytomassivezebramigrationsduringthefloodseason;theSavutiplains,whichhostlargepridesoflions;andtheTsodiloHills,where4500rockpaintingsformauniquerecordofhumansettlementovermanymillennia.
BankingandCurrencyCurrency
Botswana'scurrencyisPula(whichmeans'rain'inSetswana).Itisdividedinto100thebe(whichmeans'shield'inSetswana).Travellers'chequesandforeigncurrencymaybechangedatbanks,bureauxdechangeandauthorisedhotels.
TheUSdollar,Euros,BritishPoundandtheSouthAfricanRandarethemosteasilyconvertiblecurrencies(andacceptedbysomeestabishments-but,generally,thenaninflatedrateofexchangewillbeapplied).
Banking
Sevenmaincommercialbanks,aswellasanumberofforeginexchangebureaux,operateinBotswana.OperatinghoursareMondaytoFriday08h30to15h30andSaturday08h30to10h45.
Fullbankingservicesareavailableinmajortowns,althoughATMsaresproutingupalloverthecountry.Mostcreditcardsareacceptedathotelsandrestaurants.Culturalsitesandcommunityartandcraftoutletsusuallyonlyacceptcash.
Travel,TransportandGettingAroundPublictransportinBotswanaisgearedtowardstheneedsofthelocalpopulaceandisconfinedtomainroadsbetweenmajorpopulationcentres.Althoughcheapandreliable,itisoflittleusetothetravellerasmostofBotswana’stouristattractionslieoffthebeatentrack.
DrivingoffthemainroadsinBotswanaisonlyrecommendedtoexpectsin4x4vehicles,thatareequippedcorrectly.Mostlodgesoffertransfersortheycanbearranged.If,however,youwillbedrivinginBotswana:yourhomedrivinglicencewillbeaccepted(withanofficialEnglishtranslationifnecessary;drivingisontheleftsideoftheroad;andthenationalspeedlimitisontarredroadsis120km/hand60km/hintownsandvillages.
Besuretowatchoutforwildanimalsontheroads!
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TherearemajorairportsinMaun,KasaneandGaborone,whilesmallercharterflightsareusedtogettotheothertopattractionsandcamps.
Food,DrinkandCuisineAdviceTapwaterisconsideredsafetodrink,althoughoutsidemaincitiesandtowns,visitorsareadvisedtocheckfirstandsterilisewaterifinanydoubt.Bottledwaterisavailableinmosttouristcentres.Filteredwaterisavailableatmostcampsandshopsofferbottledwater-itisadvisedtobewellstockedofbottledwaterifyouaretravellingoffthebeatentrack.Milkispasteurised,anddairyproducts,localmeat,poultry,seafood,fruitandvegetablesaregenerallysafe.
Safarilodgesandcampsserveinternational-stylecuisine,generallyofanextremelyhighstandard,alongwithlocalbeerandimportedwineandspirits.Goodrestaurantsandbarscanbefoundinmaintowns,oftenwithinhotels.Beefandgoatareverypopularmeats.Elsewhere,foodismorebasic:milletandsorghumporridgearethelocalstaples.
Adiscretionary5to10%tipistypicalforrestaurantbills.Inmanyplaces,aservicechargeisautomaticallyadded.Itiscustomarytotipthegameguideandlodgestaffwhileonsafari.
ClimateandWeatherBotswana'sclimaticpatternistypicalofsouthernAfrica,althoughitsrainfallislessthancountriesfurthereast.TherainsinBotswanacomemostlybetweenDecemberandMarch,whenaverageminimumtemperaturesareinthelow20°s.Somedayswillbebrightandsunny,somewillhaveafternoonthunderstorms,andsomewilljustbegrey.AswithNamibia,AprilandMayinBotswanaaregenerallylovely,withtheskyclearandthelandscapegreen.Nighttemperaturesstarttodropduringthesemonths,especiallyintheKalahari.NotethatplacesinandaroundtheOkavangotendtohavelessextreme,moremoderatetemperaturesthanthedrierareasoftheKalahari.FromJunetoAugustthenight-timetemperaturesindrierareascanbeclosetofreezing,butitwarmsuprapidlyduringtheday,whentheskyisusuallyclearandblue.It'snowverymuch'peakseason'formostsafariareas:thelandisdryinmostareassotheanimalscongregatearoundthefewavailablewatersources.ThiscontinuesintoSeptemberandOctober,whentemperaturesclimbagain,dryingthelandscapesandconcentratingthegameevenmore.Thisisthebesttimeforbiggamesafaris–althoughOctobercanfeelveryhot,withmaximumtemperaturessometimesapproaching40°C.Novemberisdifficulttopredict,asitcansometimesbeacontinuationofOctober'sheat,whilstsometimesit'scooledbythefirstrains;it'salwaysaninterestingmonth.
ClothingandDressRecommendationsInsummer,lightweight,lightcolouredcottonsarepreferable.Avoidsyntheticmaterialsandblackclothing,astheyincreaseperspirationanddiscomfort.Inwinter,weartrousers,longsleevedshirts/blousesandjerseys.FromMay–August,nighttemperaturescanfallbelowzerodegreescelsius,sowarmjerseysandjacketsarevital,especiallyonmorningandeveninggamedrives.Garmentsofneutralcoloursthatblendwiththebushandforestareadvisableforsafarisandgameviewing.Bringalightweightjacketand/orjerseyforunexpectedtemperaturechangesorrain.Closed,comfortablewalkingshoesorgymshoesareamustinallseasons.Specialattentionshouldbegiventoprotectionfromthesun.Bringasunhat,goodqualitysunscreen,sunlotionandpolarisedsunglasses.Widebrimmedsunhatsareessential.
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ElectricityandPlugStandardsElectricalsockets(outlets)inBotswanaarethe"TypeM"SouthAfricanSABS1661("Large"15ampBS-546)sockets.ThisisactuallyanoldBritishstandard.The"TypeM"SouthAfricanplugandsocketisnottobeconfusedwiththe"TypeD"Indianplugandsocket.Inpictures,theylookverysimilar,buttheSouthAfricantypeismuchlargerthantheIndiantype,andtheyarephysicallyincompatible.Ifyourappliance'splugdoesn'tmatchtheshapeofthesesockets,youwillneedatravelplugadapterinordertoplugin.Travelplugadapterssimplychangetheshapeofyourappliance'splugtomatchwhatevertypeofsocketyouneedtopluginto.
Electricalsockets(outlets)inBotswanausuallysupplyelectricityatbetween220and240voltsAC.Ifyou'replugginginanappliancethatwasbuiltfor220-240voltelectricalinput,oranappliancethatiscompatiblewithmultiplevoltages,thenanadapterisallyouneed.Buttravelplugadaptersdonotchangethevoltage,sotheelectricitycomingthroughtheadapterwillstillbethesame220-240voltsthesocketissupplying.Ifyouneedtouseappliancesthatarenotcompatiblewith220-240voltelectricalinput,youwillneedavoltageconverter.
Anationofspectacularnaturalbeauty,friendlypeopleandrichculture,Zimbabwe’sstatusasoneofAfrica’sleadingsafaridestinationswasdampenedforyearsbyitspoliticalinstability.Butnowthatthecountryistranscendingitsstrifeandreturningtoastateofequilibrium,itisonceagainemergingasavacationhighlightofthecontinent.VictoriaFalls–knowntolocalsas‘TheSmokeThatThunders’–isoneofthesevennaturalwondersoftheworldandthesheerpowerofthismassivebodyofwaterplungingintotheZambeziGorgeisawe-inspiringandunforgettable.LakeKariba,withitsgame-richshoresandislands,isanidyllicsafarispotfeaturingmind-blowingsunsets;HwangeNationalParkisknownforitshugeherdsofelephants;andakayaktripdowntheZambezithroughtheManaPoolsNationalParkwillappealtotheintrepidtraveller,providingcloseencounterswithcrocodiles,hipposandahostofotherwildlife.
BankingandCurrencyCurrency
ZimbabweusesUS$aswellasitsownunitofcurrency,theZimbabweBondDollar.Itisadvisedtocarrysmalldenominationsofchangewithyou,howeveritisbesttopayforasmuchaspossibleoutsideofthecountry.US$workbestandarewidelyacceptedinsupermarkets,andforcurios,accommodation,activitiesandgratuities.SouthAfricanRandandEurosareonlyacceptedinsomeplacesinVictoriaFalls.DonotplanonbeingabletousecashmachinesinZimbabwetodrawmoney.Beforeleavinghomepleaseexchangeallthemoneythatyouwillneedforyourtrip,plusextra,intoUS$.Mostofthisshouldbein1,5,10and20denominationsbecausechangeisnotalways
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available.InanemergencyyoucantryBarclaysBank,StanbicBankorStandardCharteredBankastheywillinfrequentlyacceptforeigndebitcardsforwithdrawingcash.
Banking
BanksinZimbabweareopenforbusinessMonday,Tuesday,ThursdayandFridayfrom08h00to15h00,onWednesdaysfrom08h00to13h00andSaturdaysfrom08h00to11h30.TheyareclosedonSundaysandPublicHolidays.
OnlyVISAandMasterCardareacceptedinZimbabwe,howeveritshouldbenotedthatverylimitedfacilitieswillhavecreditcardmachines,andtheconnectionisnotalwaysreliablesoitisadvisabletocarrycashasbackup.
Travel,TransportandGettingAroundTaxisaresafeandreliable,andcanbebookedthroughyourhotelfrontdesk.Taxisincitiestravelwithina40kmradiusofthecity.Alwaystakeataxiatnight.
MajorairlinesflyintoVictoriaFalls,HarareandBulawayo.Charterflightsareavailabletomostattractionsandcamps.
Zimbabwehasagoodroadinfrastructure,byAfricanstandards,althoughpotholed.Betweenmajortowns,therearefrequentroadblocks.Trafficdrivesontheleftsideoftheroad.
IfyouaredrivingyourselfaroundZimbabwe,besuretocheckonfuelavailabilityinadvance.Ifyouarecoveringlongdistanceswithinthecountry,ensureyoucarryextrafuelin5or10ltmetalcontainersincaseofemergency.Fuelisgenerallyavailable,butsupplycanfluctuate.Fuelisonlyavailableforcash.
Food,DrinkandCuisineAdviceZimbabwe'snativecuisineisbasedonsadza,acookedporridgemadefromgroundmaizewhichisnormallybeaccompaniedbysometastyrelish,perhapsmadeofmeatandtomatoes,ordriedfish.Safaricampswilloftenpreparesadzaifrequested,anditisalmostalwaysavailableinsmallrestaurantsinthetowns.
Camps,hotelsandlodgesthatcatertooverseastypicallyserveavarietyinternationalfare,andthequalityoffoodpreparedinthemostremotebushcampsisusuallyexcellent.
Ifyouaredrivingyourselfaroundandplantocook,thengetmostofyoursuppliesinmaintowns.ThereareanumberofSouthAfricanshoppingchainsoperatinginZimbabwewhichwillgenerallyhaveallthatyouwillneed.
Waterinthemaintownsisusuallypurified..Thelocalsdrinkit,andareusedtotherelativelyinnocuousbugsthatitmayharbour.Ifyouareinthecountryforalongtime,thenitmaybeworthacclimatisingyourselftoit.However,ifyouareinZimbabweforjustashortperiodoftime,thentrytodrinkonlybottled,boiled,ortreatedwateravailableintownsandfromallcamps,lodgesandhotels.
ClimateandWeatherInZimbabwe,therainscomeprincipallyinDecember,January,FebruaryandMarch;thefurthernorthyouare,theearliertheprecipitationarrivesandthelateritleaves.Zimbabwe'shighereasternareasusuallyreceivemorerainfallthanthelower-lyingwesternones.ByAprilandMaymostoftherainisgone,leavingaverdantsetting,whichisstartingtodryout.Especiallyinmoresoutherlyandhigherlocations,thenight-timetemperaturesstarttodrop.ThenightsinJune,JulyandAugustbecomemuchcooler,sodon'tforgettobringsomewarmerclothes,incaseyou
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wanttospendaneveningoutside;thedaysarestillclearandwarm.ForZimbabwe,thisisthestartofthe'peakseason'–daysareoftencloudlessandgamesightingscontinuallyincrease.IntoSeptemberandOctoberthetemperaturesriseonceagain:Zimbabwe'slower-lyingriftvalley–ManaPools–cangetveryhotinOctober.Duringthistime,you'llseesomefantasticgame,astheZimbabwe'swildlifeconcentratesaroundthelimitedwatersources.Novemberisunpredictable;itcanbehotanddry,itcanalsoseetheseason'sfirstrainfalls–andinthisrespectit'saveryinterestingmonth,asonsuccessivedays,youcanseebothweatherpatterns.
ClothingandDressRecommendationsWheninZimbabwethecardinalruleistowearcasual,comfortableclothesduringthedayastemperaturescangetveryhot.Itisadvisabletowearlightloosefittingclothing,suchascottonorlinen,astheyarecoolandeasytowash.Warmerclothesareadvisedfortheeveningsandrainwearforthewetseason.
Abrimmedhatandsunglassesareagoodideayearround.Longsleevedshirtsandlongtrouserswillalsoguardagainstthescourchingsunrays.Itisrecommendedyouwearlightshoes,especiallyifyouritineraryentailsalotofwalking.
Forsafaris,pleaseremembertowearappropriateclothingandshoes.Earthcolourclothes,suchasbrowns,greensandtansareadvisable.
ElectricityandPlugStandardsCurrentis220/240voltsat50cyclespersecond.Bothsquareandroundplugsareused.