Duty Free Limits per Person Import and Export of Foreign Currency
Crossing into South Africa with Children
A Special Note on Meat, Fruit & Vegetables
VISAS Not Required
VISAS Required
KAZA Univisa
Zimbabwe / Botswana Border Posts
Botswana - Fees & Documentation
Zimbabwe / Mozambique Border Posts
Mozambique - Fees & Documentation
Zimbabwe / South Africa Border Posts
South Africa - Fees & Documentation
Zimbabwe / Zambia Border Posts
Zambia - Fees & Documentation
COMMUNICATIONS
Cellular
Satellite Phone
Two-Way Radios for Group Travel
FISHING
Fishing Locations
Best Time For Fishing
Fishing Permits
Recreational Angling vs. Commercial Fishing Facilities and Tours for Fishing Enthusiasts
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Rule Number One - Be Informed
Pros & Cons of Group Travel
Carry with you
Travelling Remote Areas
Personal Safety
Break-down Services
Insurance
Driving through Long Grass Wild Animals
Taking Photograph
HEALTH, HYGIENE & MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Medical Facilities & Medical Emergencies
Medicine Availability
Drinking Water
Hand Washing Hot Water Burns
Malaria
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
Rabies
Cholera Typhoid
Yellow Fever
Tick-Bite Fever
Bilharzia
Sleeping Sickness
HIV / AIDS
Scorpions
Snakes
Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke
First Aid Kit
Clinics & Healthcare Facilities
Indemnity
HIKING
Chimanimani Mountains
Chizarira National Park
Nyanga National Park
Matobo National Park
Matusadona National Park
KARIBA HOUSEBOATS
A Typical Day Aboard a Houseboat
Duration Costs
How and Where to Book Best Time of Year to Visit
Tips for a Great Houseboat Holiday
NATIONAL PARKS
Chimanimani NP
Chizarira NP
Gonarezhou NP
Hwange NP
Kazuma Pan NP
Mana Pools NP
Matobo NP
Matusadona NP
Nyanga NP
Victoria Falls NP
Zambezi NP
NAVIGATION
Navigating with your Smartphone
Online vs. Offline Apps
Navigation using a GPS Before you Depart
How to Use Your GPS On the Road
Navigation using a Paper Map
Be an Eco-Traveller
TREES
TRIP PLANNING GUIDE
Things to Consider A Planning Methodology
Final Trip Planning Checklist
Technical Gear
VEHICLE PREPARATION
Vehicle Selection
Preparing your Sedan, AWD or SUV
Preparing your Off-Road Vehicle for Travel into Remote Areas
Fitting Accessories to your Vehicle
Preparing your Motorbike
Packing your Vehicle
Camping Checklist
VEHICLE RENTAL
Vehicle Rental Options
Where to Rent
Choosing a Rental Company
Insurance
Extra Charges General
Essential Gear
WALKING & MOBILE SAFARIS,
& GUIDES
Guides
ROUTES
TRANSIT ROUTES
Beitbridge - Bulawayo
Beitbridge - Harare
Beitbridge - Mutare
Bulawayo - Victoria Falls
Harare - Bulawayo
Harare - Chirundu
Harare - Mutare
Harare - Nyamapanda
Harare - Victoria Falls
TOURING ROUTES
Eastern Highlands Adventure
Grand Tour
Great Zambezi Trail
Northern Mashonaland Trail
Southwester
MANICALAND
Chimanimani NP
Chimanimani
Chirinda Forest Botanical Reserve
Juliasdale
Mutare
Nyanga NP
Nyanga (nearby town)
Vumba Mountains
MASHONALAND (& HARARE)
Chinhoyi Caves NP
Chinhoyi
Chirundu Harare
Kariba
Mana Pools NP
Matusadona NP
Mavuradonha Wilderness Area
Tengenenge Sculptors Village Umfurudzi Park
MASVINGO
Gonarezho NP
Triangle (nearby town)
Chiredzi
Lake Mutirikwi Recreational Park
Lake Kyle)
Great Zimbabwe Ruins Masvingo
Save Valley Conservancy
MATABELELAND (& BULAWAYO)
Binga
Bulawayo
Chizarira NP
Deka Drum and Surrounds
Hwange NP
Hwange (nearby town)
Kazuma Pan NP
Matobo NP
Thuli Parks & Wildlife Land
Victoria Falls
Zambezi NP
MIDLANDS
Sebakwe Gweru
ATLAS
BIRD WATCHING
THIS MAP DETAILS ZIMBABWE’S IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS (IBAS). Needless to say, these are not the only areas where birdlife is prevalent, but rather places where rich bird life has been recorded and/or where species of specific interest are known to be found.
BIRDING
FISHING
WITH NUMEROUS LAKES, DAMS, RIVERS, AND RESERVOIRS, Zimbabwe offers a host of memorable fishing opportunities. Catch and release is strongly encouraged. The country is home to a variety of fish species, some of the popular and commonly caught fish include:
Tigerfish
Known for its aggressive nature and remarkable fighting ability, the Tigerfish is a prized catch in Zimbabwe. These formidable predators are found in the Zambezi River, Lake Kariba, and other major rivers and lakes across the country. Anglers trawl with heavy 10 kg lines using spinners, live bait, fillets and Kapenta - a small freshwater sardine.
Bream
Bream, also referred to as Tilapia, are a popular target for recreational anglers. Several species of Bream inhabit Zimbabwe’s waters, including the Mozambique Tilapia, Redbreast Tilapia, and Nembwe. They are found in lakes, rivers, and dams throughout the country. Bait used include earthworms and small type Mepps inline spinners no. 2 & 3.
Bass
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are highly sought-after game fish in Zimbabwe. They can be found in various lakes and dams throughout the country, such as Lake Chivero, Lake Manyame, and Lake Mutirikwi (aka Lake Kyle). There are quite a few lodges in the lowveld where the bass fishing is very good.
Catfish
Several species of Catfish, including the Vundu, the African Sharptooth Catfish and the Electric Catfish, can be found in Zimbabwe’s rivers and dams. They provide an exciting angling experience, particularly at night. Baits used include chicken hearts and Platanna frogs.
Catching a Tigerfish is high on most anglers’ bucket lists. (photo: Bruce Turner)
NATIONAL PARKS cont.
ZIMBABWE IS HOME TO 11 NATIONAL PARKS; some like Mana Pools, Matobo and Hwange are known the world over, while others like Gonarezhou, Chizarira and Chimanimani are well known to anyone with an interest in the African continent. But there are also lesser-known parks, and it would be a mistake to leave these out when trip planning. Together, all these national parks, each with its own identity and attractions, offer a compelling reason to tour Zimbabwe.
Some of Zimbabwe’s National Parks have gained a reputation for being rather expensive. Critics point to the fact that some parks are similarly priced to leading parks in neighbouring countries but don’t offer the same level of infrastructure. While it is true that some Zimbabwean national parks charge high rates, one should also acknowledge these parks are truly in a league of their own, they’re proper bucket list destinations. Naturally, it’s also worth remembering that other Zimbabwean national parks offer more affordable rates. This said, a closer look at pricing across Zimbabwe’s National Parks reveals a structure which often seems inconsistent.
When comparing rates, be sure to note whether you’re paying per site or per person; if you’re paying per site, your accommodation costs can become much more affordable if you split the bill amongst multiple persons. Accommodation fees in this chapter are indicative, they reflect the range of fees, from the most affordable to the most expensive, across all accommodation types on offer in each park. Vehicle fees are once-off, while conservation and accommodation fees are per person, per day.
You may discover that online bookings are more expensive than those made at the gate. The reason for this seems to be that online booking automatically charges for a full site while bookings at the gate are sometimes calculated by headcount.
There’s a certain informality to Zimbabwean national parks that many might find refreshing. For instance, at many venues bookings are not required, you simply arrive and pay at the gate. This can’t be said for top-tier parks like Mana Pools, Hwange or Gonarezhou which are more booking-focused; plus you should also be wary during peak travel times when availability can’t be guaranteed.
The famous Chilojo cliffs of Gonarezhou National Park. (photo: Lizette Swart)
ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK
(for more information, see page 362)
Stretching some 50 km west of Victoria Falls, this park’s northern boundary is the Zambezi river which forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The park is bisected by a public road which runs between the town of Victoria Falls and the Kazungula Border Post. But if you’re visiting the park, you can explore the river’s edge via the Zambezi River Drive, and the southern section via the Chamabondo Drive.
This park offers good game viewing with most large mammal species found here. Birders will have the best of it though, with over 400 species of birds recorded here! Habitats include Mopani and riverine woodlands, rocky outcrops and kalahari sand.
Size: 560 km2
Accommodation: Developed campsite, exclusive campsites (no facilities) and upmarket lodges
Attractions: Fishing, game drives, walking safaris,
Accommodation fees (pppd):
US$30 - 1600
Conservation fees (pppd): (local / foreign day visitor, local / foreign accommodated visitor) US$5 / 15, US$3 / 8
Vehicle fees (pvpd): (local / foreign day visitor, local / foreign accommodated visitor) US$5 / 10, US$2 / 3
If you’re visiting the Zambezi National Park, don’t forget that the Zambezi river provides great opportunities for game-viewing via boat. (photo: Johann Groenewald)
TRIP PLANNING GUIDE
TRAVEL MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE, but whatever it means for you, one thing remains certain: the more effort you put into planning your travels, the more you’ll get out of your journey.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
How flexible is your itinerary? Some people travel to a well-defined itinerary because they aren’t comfortable dealing with unforeseen circumstances, or they might not have enough time to accommodate delays. Others might find the very idea of a fixed itinerary suffocating. Decide how structured or how flexible you want your itinerary to be.
Do you have enough time? Be realistic about the time you have for your trip. Be very wary of trying to cram in too much; if you’re driving every day from sunrise to sunset, you’re not going to have a relaxing time of it. Less is more when you’re on holiday!
Do you want to travel in a group or on your own? If it’s your first trip into Africa it would be wise to join a guided tour or friends who are experienced overlanders. Thereafter, if you want to go solo, you can begin with ‘easy’ routes and destinations. Travelling in a group can be very enjoyable and enlightening, but it can also put a big damper on your experience if they’re not the kind of people you enjoy spending time with. Travelling solo allows you more freedom to change your plans, plus you’ll be more inclined to socialise with the people you meet along your way.
What are your capabilities? Be realistic about how experienced you are in matters like camping, pitching a tent, cooking on a fire and off-road driving. Rather give yourself a gentle introduction to these sorts of activities if they’re new to you; part of the allure of travel is that it puts you outside your comfort zones. Don’t underestimate the difficulties of travelling to remote areas but come prepared.
What type of accommodations do you prefer? You might be a rough-and-tough bush camper or you might prefer to make camp in a venue with all the amenities. If you’re not a camper, you can stay overnight in self-catering chalets or splash out on luxury accommodation - some prefer a mix of everything. But remember, camping for one night or 15 requires the same amount of camping gear. So, if your plans include very little camping, ask yourself whether it’s worthwhile to
When planning your trip, you will find it very helpful to refer to a paper map, to get a sense of your intended travels. Happily, there’s a Tracks4Africa map for Zimbabwe. (photo: Johann Groenewald)
VEHICLE PREPARATION
THE HEART OF AN OVERLAND TRIP IS THE VEHICLE, and for this reason, vehicle selection and preparation are critical. Your vehicle must be capable of safely traversing the roads and terrain you intend to travel. And if you’re planning to camp, your vehicle needs to be equipped accordingly.
VEHICLE SELECTION
What’s the best vehicle for African travel? Well, it depends where you want to go, and what you want to do. Sure, you can never venture off the tar roads but if you include dirt or gravel roads in your travel plans, you’ll see and experience so much more. And some types of vehicles are better at going off the tar than others. Tar roads in Africa are often full of potholes, so good tyres and sturdy suspension offer a distinct advantage.
Larger diameter wheels make for more comfortable travel on gravel roads and for this reason, a pick-up (sometimes referred to locally as a ‘bakkie’) or an off-road vehicle are the preferred vehicle choices. The tyres fitted to off-road vehicles are also better suited to gravel roads. This is not to say that you can’t do some off-tar exploration in a conventional city car when conditions are dry, but for the most part, and especially in the rainy season, you’re not going to get anywhere unless you’re driving an off-road vehicle. Whichever vehicle you choose, it must be large enough to accommodate you, your passengers, and your supplies and equipment.
Another vehicle consideration is the availability of mechanical repairs for your vehicle type, as well as the availability of the fuel you require. If you’re driving a modern diesel-engined vehicle the chances are that it will require 50 ppm, this is widely available in Zimbabwe, though not at every fuel station. See our section on fuel in the Driving in Zimbabwe chapter on page 22.
Driving in Zimbabwe will see you dealing with potholed highways, seldom-graded gravel roads full of holes, deep sand and rough rocky terrain. Combine this with the likelihood that your overlanding vehicle will be carrying a lot of weight, means that a set of premium all-terrain tyres is one of the best investments you can make in your vehicle.
Sedan/hatchback
Though a typical city car wouldn’t be our first choice, you can drive from Cape Town to Cairo in a 2WD sedan or hatchback, especially if you never leave the tar. And it must be said that such a vehicle will also take good gravel roads in its
The best way to get your 4x4 well organised for overland travel is to do lots of overland travel! (photo: Johann Groenewald)
Beitbridge - Bulawayo
Mbalabala 66/00:40
Gwanda 126/01:15
West Nicholson 170/01:46
Longueville Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary
Makhado 228/02:23
Murenje Eco Safaris
Bulawayo 321/03:23
Beitbridge 321/03:23
to Victoria Falls to Plumtree to Maphisa to Gweru to Masvingo to Masvingo to Pontdrift
Mbalabala 254/02:42
Gwanda 195/02:08
West Nicholson 150/01:37
Makhado 92/01:00
Mazunga 263/02:46 Mazunga 58/00:37
Total distance 321 km
Estimated driving time 3 hr 23 min
Road conditions Fair condition with the occasional pothole.
The busy border town of Beitbridge is many visitors’ first experience of Zimbabwe. Here, you can do some shopping at the local Spar, and take the opportunity to purchase a local Econet or NetOne SIM card in the same vicinity (see our Communications chapter on page 44). If you’re nearing the end of a long day’s travel, you’ll find an overnight stop, Murenje Eco Safaris, some 80 km before Gwanda, and you’ll find Longueville Wildlife Sanctuary just north of Gwanda.
Gwanda offers good shopping at the Pick n Pay, plus you can top-up gas at Kensys Gas. There’s good camping at Longueville Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, to the north of the town. To Bulawayo, it’s a short hour and a half’s drive; here you’ll find plenty of supermarkets and shops, and much to do. You’ll find more information on Bulawayo on page 308.
An alternative route to Bulawayo is via Matobo National Park. This requires some gravel road travel in the Gwanda area; this route is typically only used if Matobo NP is on your itinerary.
A good place to stock up is the Beitbridge Spar. (photo: Lizette Swart)
(photo: Bruce Turner)
GRAND TOUR
Stephen Cunliffe)
ATTRACTIONS: Matobo National Park, Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Gonarezhou
National Park, Harare, Mana Pools National Park, Matusadona National Park, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls
OPTIONAL: Cross Lake Kariba by ferry
Start Plumtree Border Post
End Ka zungula Road Border Post
Length 2 920 km (shorter if you take ferry option)
Duration 2 - 3 weeks
Vehicle 4WD inside national parks and on section south of Lake Kariba
Time of Year Year round. Rainy season might result in the closure of some national park roads. May also af fect areas south of Lake Kariba.
Enter the country from Botswana at the Plumtree Border Post. You’ll definitely want to stock up in Francistown before entering, as groceries are cheaper here than in Zimbabwe. If, for some reason, you want to do your first round of provisioning in Zimbabwe, allow for a stop in Bulawayo. Zonkizizwe Shopping Centre in Bradfield, on the southwestern side of Bulawayo, is conveniently located, and has a Pick ‘n Pay and a much-loved Food Lovers Market.
An alternative to the above is to fly into Harare, rent a vehicle, and begin and end your trip from that city. This said, you should note that vehicle rentals, especially 4x4s, are much more commonplace in Botswana. See our chapter on Vehicle Rentals, on page 96.
Your first night in Zimbabwe will be spent at Matobo National Park; we suggest you enter this park at the Sandyspruit Gate, stop at the White Rhino Cave to see the ancient rock painting and then overnight in the western sector at the
(photo:
Tengenenge Sculptors
Mpopoma Dam campsite. You should allow two hours to drive from the gate to the campsite: heading south from Sandyspruit Gate, you will need 2 hours to reach Mpopoma Dam campsite, via Maleme Dam and the White Waters entrance. A quicker route is via the entrance gate near Big Cave Campsite, then head directly south to White Waters entrance gate. You should have time for a late afternoon game drive, with sunset views of the distinctive stacked granite boulders found in this park. If you have chosen to stay just one night here, don’t be too sad if you don’t see much game, there’s lots of game viewing opportunities built into this route.
If you’re able to spend more time in this park, there are lots more rock paintings, battle sites, and the graves of Cecil John Rhodes and Mzilikazi. This is one of the few parks in the country where one can still see rhino - so if you have the time we highly recommend hiring a guide to do some rhino tracking on foot; note, rhino only occur in the western sector, previously known as Whovi Game Park. There’s also lots to see for birders, with species like Verraux’s Eagle, the Mottled Swift, Southern Hyliota, the Purple-crested Turaco and many more.
An early departure from Matobo sees you heading for your next overnight stop, the Great Zimbabwe ruins. It’s close to five hours’ drive to cover the 360 km so you might need to stop off in Masvingo for shopping and a refuel. If you arrive in the early afternoon, do a guided walk of the ruins (60 - 90 min); if it’s too hot at that time of day, book this for early the following morning. To get the best photographs of the ruins, you’re advised to head out really early; this will allow you quiet time at this location with no other visitors walking into your shots!
MANICALAND
Established as one of the first five provinces in Southern Rhodesia in the 1880s, Manicaland in eastern Zimbabwe is the second most populated region in the country, with a citizenry of approximately 1.8 million people.
The province is bordered to the northwest by Mashonaland, Midlands to the west, Masvingo to the southwest and Mozambique to the east. It is Zimbabwe’s portal to the sea, being near the Port of Beira in Mozambique.
Its name originates from the Manyika people, a large cultural group with its origins in northern Manicaland and western Mozambique. Their language, ChiManyika, is a distinct dialect of the Shona language.
Covering an area of roughly 3.6 million hectares, the province is divided into seven administrative districts: Mutasa, Nyanga, Makoni, Chimanimani, Buhera, Chipinge and Mutare, the capital. Mutare is home to the country’s largest timber producers and well-known tea manufacturer, Tanganda. Other key industries driving Manicaland’s economy include mining, agriculture, and tourism.
The Eastern Highlands, incorporating the Nyanga, Vumba and Chimanimani mountains extend along the eastern edge of Manicaland. The central and southern sections of the province are drained towards the south by the Save River and its estuaries. Its northern section is drained northwards by tributaries of the Zambezi River and parts of the region’s eastern edge, together with Honde Valley and the eastern Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, drain in an easterly direction into the Buzi and Pungwe rivers.
Manicaland showcases some of Zimbabwe’s most sought-after natural wonders, including the magnificent Mutarazi Falls, the highest waterfall in Zimbabwe, and Mount Nyangani, the highest mountain peak in the country. The province is also home to the so-called ‘misty mountains’ of Vumba and Chimanimani.
The province has a rich cultural heritage, featuring the late Iron Age Ziwa archaeological site in the Nyanga district, the dry-stone Matendera Monument in the Buhera district and the Diana’s Vow rock paintings, near Rusape.
(photo: Lizette Swart)
Chegutu
Harare
Marondera
Juliasdale
Nyanga NP
Mutare
Vumba Botanical Forest Reserve
Nyanyadzi Mutambara
Chimanimani NP
Chimoio Gorongosa
Zvishavane Chivi
Lake Mutirikwi RP
Save Valley Conservancy
Chiredzi
Chipinge Safari Area
Ngundu Rutenga Muxungue
Gonarezhou NP
The Mutare Museum, one of the country’s four national museums, has impressive vintage transport and firearms displays.
The combination of a temperate tropical forest climate, sweeping landscapes, birdlife, hiking, and fishing opportunities make Manicaland an attractive destination for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
(photo: Johann Groenewald)
Nyanga National Park
Originally established in 1926 as Rhodes Nyanga National Park, from the bequeathed estate of Cecil John Rhodes. Nyanga National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Zimbabwe; you’ll find it some 260 kilometres east of Harare, in the Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands.
The park underwent a considerable expansion in 1990, with the acquisition of two large neighbouring farms, to the north and east of the original property. With the later inclusion of Mutarazi National Park in the south, the park today covers an area of 47 000 hectares.
With altitudes of between 1 800 and 2 500 metres, it’s home to Mount Nyangani, the highest point in Zimbabwe, as well as the Mutarazi Falls, the highest waterfall in Zimbabwe.
Featuring landscapes of lush rolling hills, broad valleys, precipitous ravines and perennial rivers, Nyanga National Park is not a conventional wildlife destination. It is better known for its sweeping views of both woodland and rainforest areas, and being the dwelling place of over 300 bird species (some near endemic). The park forms part of the Eastern Zimbabwe Mountains Endemic Bird Area, an internationally important birding locale.
Traveller Description
The Nyanga National Park is irrigated by several streams and rivers, with the central and eastern sections constituting part of the Zambezi Basin. The Gairezi and Nyangombe Rivers flow north out of the park, eventually converging with the Mazowe River. The source of the 400 km Pungwe River (which also flows through Mozambique) is at the foot of Mount Nyangani, thereafter it courses southwards through the park, before its 240 metre fall into the thickly-forested Pungwe Gorge. The gorge is a pristine expanse of woodlands, unblemished by human habitation and one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Zimbabwe.
Visitors to the location have reported that the drive on poorly-maintained roads to the Pungwe viewpoint is well worth the trouble, for the prized views of the falls and gorge. Note, the path up to the viewpoint is badly eroded and one would have to engage low-range or walk the last +/- 300 metre to the viewpoint.
Accommodation for self-pitch tents as well as campervans & trailers. Facilities include electricity points, sitting area, wood stove, braai stand and secure vehicle parking.
House with 5 bedrooms, all en-suite, for up to 15 guests. With big lounge, kitchen, indoor bar, and dining area. Plus gas stove and fridge, and back-up generator. Languages: English
1km or 5min NE of Nyanga NP Gate (1km 4WD) w271440
