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Areas of Interest | Best Time to Travel | Climate | Currency | Electricity | Entrance Fees | Flights | Health | Information | Languages | Roads-Transport | Topography | Visas | As the summers can get unbearably hot and the rainfall is mainly in summer, it is best to travel in autumn, winter and spring, namely the months of April to September. As winters are mild during the day and cold at night, with almost no rainfall it is ideal time to travel. Again this is high season and prices rise quite a bit at some of the lodges. Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country where droughts are a regular occurrence. Days are mostly warm to very hot, while nights are generally cool. Average day temperatures in the summer (September to March) vary from 20 - 34 degrees C and average night temperatures in the winter from 0 - 10 degrees C. Temperatures in the interior are lower because of the altitude, while along the coast the Benguela Current has a modifying influence. The Benguela is the prime determinant of the Climate of the Namib, as it reduces rainfall and causes the omnipresent fog typical of the coast. Rainfall in Namibia usually falls in summer, with a short rainy season in November and the main rainy season from February to March. Average rainfall figures vary from less then 50 mm along the coast to 350mm in the central and 700mm in the far northeastern regions.
Communications Telecom Namibia and NamPost have created and maintained one of the best communication infrastructures and service delivery systems in Africa. Namibia has full internet connectivity, ISDN lines, all towns and settlements are provided with card and coin operated phones in key areas. The cellular phone network covers all major towns in Namibia. There are currently over 33 countries with which MTC has roaming agreements. The currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar, which is fixed to and equals the South African Rand. The Rand and Namibia Dollar are the only legal tender in Namibia. Traveller's cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged during normal business hours at any of the commercial banks that are represented throughout the country. International Visa and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted, while the speedpoint facility makes for efficient service. Foreigners may bring any amount of foreign currency into the country. SWIFT operates at all commercial banks in the country. Park entrance are very reasonable being N$ 10 per vehicle up to 10 people and N$10 to 30 per person per day. This does change for time to time so please enquire as to the current rate. These entrance fees are to be paid in cash on entrance to the park. Electricity in Zambia is 220-240 V. Air Namibia, British Airways Comair, SA Airlink and South African Airways have daily flights into Windhoek or Walvis Bay. Air Zimbabwe, Air Botswana, Lufthansa also fly into the Windhoek. Local charter companies and Air Namibia handle internal flights. Namibia currently has one doctor per 3650 people, one of the best doctor/patient ratios in Africa. All major centres have state-run hospitals with Windhoek having to world class standard private hospitals, each with fully-equipped and maintained intensive-care units. All specialist fields are available in Windhoek with 90% of emergency cases can be treated. The American Food and Drug Organisation standards are strictly adhered to. Medical emergency intervention and evacuation services for the Southern African region are on call 24 hours a day. The services are efficient, effective and prompt, have ICU facilities, extend to the remotest regions of the country and evacuate patients by aeroplane, helicopter or road. Aeromed, linked to Europ Assistance also provides a 24-hour medical rescue operation. MedRescue also provides the same service. Malaria is found mainly in the north of the country, but of late it has been reported in the central and occasionally in the south. It is imperative that visitors take the necessary precautions. Namibia has a surface area of 824 268 square kilometres. It is bordered on the South by the Orange River and South Africa, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by Angola, and Zambia and to the east by Botswana and Zimbabwe. Namibia is a very dry country for the most part with the north and Caprivi area becoming lush and tropical. It has bountiful sunshine and a diverse number of habitats providing something for everyone. Activities include gilding, hiking, hot-air ballooning, dune skiing, mountain biking, white water-rafting, hunting, horse-riding and trails, coastal and fresh water angling, 4x4 trails, mokoro experiences and of course game viewing in the famous Etosha National Park and the myriad of game farms that are a feature of Namibia these days. Insurance Clients are urged to ensure, prior to arrival, that they have sufficient insurance against all possible risks including, death, personal injury, medical expenses, baggage loss, theft and cancellation or curtailment of tour. Speak to your travel agent or order from our Website. English is the official language of Zimbabwe although it is only the first language of about 2% of the population. Other indigenous languages spoken include Shona and Ndebele. Guided safaris are usually conducted in English. There are 18 338 km of highways in Zimbabwe, of which 8 692 km are paved. The road conditions in Zimbabwe are good and they are well-signposted except in the National Parks and Game Reserves where 4x4 vehicles are advisable. Foreign drivers may use their valid driving license, with an English translation if necessary. Driving is on the left side of the road and the general speed limit is 120km/h on open roads and 60km/h in urban areas, but watch out for the signs. Motorists must use their headlights between 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 am. Watch out for wildlife on the roads! Zimbabwe has a good railway service connecting Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Mutare. Fares are very cheap. Most trains run at night and move slowly across the short distances so not to arrive too early in the morning. Two kinds of buses service Zimbabwe: express and local. Express buses are usually efficient and operate according to the published timetables. Local buses serve almost all populated areas of Zimbabwe. These “African buses” are cheap and if you don't mind the crowds and unreliability of service, are a great way to meet the locals. Zimbabwe occupies part of the great plateau in southern Africa. The most prominent physical feature is a broad ridge known as the Highveld that runs southwest to northeast across the country. It has an average elevation of about 1,525 metres (about 5,003 feet). On both sides of the ridge, the land slopes downwards, in the north towards the Zambezi and in the south towards the Limpopo River. These areas have average elevations of about 1,065 metres (about 3,494 feet) and are known as the Middle Veld. A mountain range that rises to a maximum elevation of 2,596 metres (8,517 feet) extends along the eastern border. A number of short rivers rise in the Highveld. Of these, the Shangani and Munyati flow north, and the Sabi and Lundi flow south. Lake Kariba, which was formed behind Kariba Dam on the Zambezi, forms part of the country's northern border with Zambia. Citizens from Botswana, Namibia and Zambia do not require visas. All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival. Nationals of the following countries do not require visa for their visit to Zimbabwe: · Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Granada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Nauru, Western Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu. Nationals of the following countries will be issued a visa on payment at port of entry: · Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, South Africa (no charge), Spain, State of Palestine, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, USA For all other countries, visas should be obtained from your nearest Zimbabwean Consulate. This costs US$30 for a single entry visa (valid for six months) and US$45 for a double entry visa (valid for three months). Requirements for obtaining a visa are a valid passport and one application form. Chizarra National Park The park is 400000 acres in extent and is easily accessible from Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls. The park has been a non-hunting reserve since 1938 and a National Park since 1975. It holds some of the most majestic scenery in Zimbabwe and abundant game and diverse birdlife. This park is known for its herds of buffalo and is situated near Lake Kariba. Elephant, rhino, lion, cheetah and leopard can also be seen. Four exclusive campsites - Kasiswi, Mabola and Busi bush camps, Machininga campsite - access 4x4. Camping: 2 basic campsites Insiza and Kasetsheti access 4x4 only. Jedson's Camp is a new camp on the block. Eastern Highlands The eastern border of Zimbabwe is guarded by a range of mountains - from Nyanga in the north, through the Mutare and Bvumba mountains to the Chimanimani Mountains in the south. The area consists of streams, waterfalls, lakes and forests and is an outdoors person's delight having hiking, golf, hang gliding and white water rafting amongst its many attractions. The eastern highlands are much cooler on average than the rest of Zimbabwe with June and July getting very cold. November through March is the rainy season leaving May to September the best times to visit. Mutare is the 3rd largest city in Zimbabwe and is one of Zimbabwe most attractive especially when the flame trees bloom in summer. Various reserves, a museum and Cross Kopje are the areas attractions. The Ntanga National Park is connected by good roads and is an area of rivers and dams, well-stocked with trout. World's View on the edge of the Great Nyanga Plateau has spectacular views. One of Zimbabwe's highest falls, Mtarazi Falls and its highest mountain, Mount Nyangani are to be found here. South east of Mutare is the Bvumba mountains with the famed botanical gardens. Situated 150km south east of Mutare , the rugged Chimanimani Mountains are a real challenge to climbers with the highest peak being 2400m. Herds of Sable and Eland live here as well as elephants in the low lying forests. Gona-re-Zhou National Park Gone-re-Zhou means "The place of the Elephant" and is one of Zimbabwe's newest parks and being 260 km from Masvingo, also the most remote. The park is situated in the eastern Lowveld, one of the hotter dryer parts of the country, Besides being a bird watcher's paradise, a number of rare animals live in this ecosystem. Wild dog, suni, bat-eared fox, the pangolin and the Lichtenstein hartebees are also to be found. The Great Zimbabwe The famous ruined city of Great Zimbabwe is some 30km from Masvingo. It is the country's premier National Monument and one of the biggest tourist attractions. It is believed to date from the 12th to the 16th century. Among the ancient iron tools, ceramics, pottery, gold and carvings discovered in the ruins, was the beautiful stylised eagle, which is now the national emblem. The complex covers about 720 hectares with huge granite walls, conical towers and fortresses. There are daily guided tours, souvenir shop and a museum. Harare and Environs Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe and has modern high-rise blocks and a vibrant cultural scene. The city is laid out in a grid pattern making it easy to find your bearings. A vibrant cosmopolitan city, it has shopping malls, theatres, cinemas, night clubs and restaurants. Local arts and crafts abound. With its world class hotels and restaurants it is a favourite place for conferences and conventions. Some of the major tourist attractions include the National Gallery, National Botanical Gardens, downtown Kopje, a distinctive Africanised area and the famous morning market of Mbare. Other major leisure attractions include championship golf courses, horse racing and sailing or water-skiing on Lake Chivero. Hwange National Park Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park, both in size and variety of game. It is nearly 15000 square kilometres with 107 species of animal and 407 species of birds found here. It is also one of the few remaining elephant sanctuaries in Africa and herds of up to 100 individuals can be seen. Accommodation is provided in a number of camps namely Main Camp, Sinamatella and Robin's Camp and some private camps. There are daily connections to Harare, Kariba and Victoria Falls. Hwange has one of the largest concentrations of game in the world with a network of 482 km of game viewing roads, Safari operators offer day and moonlight drives which are the best from July to October. Other activities include wilderness trails and organised foot and horse safaris, game viewing by vehicle or from platforms. November to February are the summer rain months.
A 200km long inland sea, Kariba offers the tourist sport, entertainment and adventure. A very popular tourist activity is to hire a house boat and explore the lake , studded with islands and surrounded by mountains. Situated along the southern shore is Matsudona Game Reserve. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and a host of smaller game are abundant, while the lake itself supports more than forty different species of fish as well as hippo and crocodiles. Small charter flights transfer tourists from Victoria Falls, Hwange and Harare to Fothergill and Spurwing islands, the Sanyati Gorge and the Ume River, as well as Tiger Bay and over the Matsusona National Park. The town of Kariba has a thriving shopping centre, supermarkets and a variety of excellent hotels, campsites and fishing camps. Kariba is the hottest place in Zimbabwe. From October to February the temperature is about 40 degrees. There is usually 7-8 hours of sunshine per day but you can get rains in December, January and February. Kariba Ferries run regular ferry services between Kariba and Mlibizi on the western side of the lake. Mana Pools Mana Pools National Park is one of Zimbabwe's World Heritage Sites and is situated in the north of the country with the Zambezi River forming the northern boundary. This area forms the middle Zambezi Valley, which extends eastward from Kariba to Kanyemba and southwards to the summit of the steep Zambezi escarpment. The Middle Zambezi Valley is one of the few remaining refuges of the Black Rhino. The park is a paradise of game stretching from Ruckomechi Camp to Chikwenya camp with 80 km of river frontage. The water and abundant vegetation attract high concentrations of animals. Guided canoe tours allow the visitor the chance to see the game close up. Fossilised dinosaur footprints and bones have been discovered in the valley. The Park is accessible by air and by road. Matobos National Park Bulawayo, the second major city of Zimbabwe, a spacious and attractive city, with tree-lined boulevards with their mixture of old colonial and modern architecture, is the centrepoint of the Matobos area. Bulawayo was once the home to the Ndebele kings and markets itself as the cultural and historic centre of Zimbabwe, owing to the incredible wealth of historical attractions in the area, including the grave of Cecil John Rhodes. Matobo National Park covers an area of 2000 square kilometres and is known for its fantastic rock formations, bushman paintings and its game park with its wide variety of game. Birdlife is prolific and includes the world largest concentration of Black Eagles. The Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage & Research Centre provides a home for orphaned, sick or abandoned animals. There are lion, cheetah, leopard, black rhino and many others. Kame ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated 22km west of Bulawayo. The ruins are a series of terraces and passages supported by massive granite walls, many thousands of years old. The area is very dry and can experience low temperatures in winter. June, July, April and September are the best months to visit this extraordinary place. Matsudona National Park The Park is situated on the southern shore of Lake Kariba and is home to the spectacular Sanyati Gorge. Elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo and many species of animal and birds can be seen here. The birdlife includes larger species such as the Goliath Heron, Great White Egrets, Grey Heron, Fish Eagle and Openbill Storks. Upper Zambezi The portion of the Zambezi upstream of the falls is contained within a wide shallow valley. Characteristically, at different elevations on the sides of this valley there are deposits of river gravels that mark the old river beds. The Upper Zambezi forms the northern border of the Zambezi National Park, which is bounded on the east by Botswana and Namibia.
The local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya", the smoke that thunders. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, occurring 1300km from the source of the Zambezi River in Northwest Zambia. The Falls and surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site. The falls are so vast that their dimensions can only be truly appreciated from one of the light aircraft or helicopters that fly over the falls or for the more adventurous, microlighting above the spray. It has a bustling, modern town with hotels, casinos, shops and airports. The Falls are easily accessible by road or air. There is much by way of activities in the area, from restaurants, to white water rafting, canoeing kayaking, fishing, cruising the Lower Zambezi, bunji jumping (111m), horseback trails and much more. Victoria Falls is hot all year round. November is the rainy period and from February the falls are at their heaviest.
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Kariba
Victoria Falls
