trey ratcliffs zimbabwe safari 2019 - experiential travel · 2019-01-30 · how the lodge operates....

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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 neville@experiential.travel 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.