Vic Falls Travel Tips.
Travelling to Vic Falls and need some insights? Here are some travel tips that may be useful to you
Safety
Victoria Falls is extremely safe. It's a tourist town and almost everyone's livelihood is attached to tourism, so it is in everyone's interests for you to have a good time. At worst you might be hassled by street vendors to buy an old Zimbabwe dollar note or a curio, but this is the order of the day in most tourist destinations of the world. There are tourism police on patrol on the streets for your added security. Many Zimbabweans are very poor so please avoid temptation by putting your valuables out of sight or in the safe of your hotel room.
Passports
All visitors require a passport to enter Zimbabwe with at least 6 months until expiry plus at least 2 blank pages. If you are travelling between multiple destinations then have more open pages. Day trips to Chobe or Zambia can quickly eat into your passport space.
Visas
If you are from "overseas" as in not from Southern Africa, the chances are you will need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Please try out the links below to see whether or not you need a visa.
- Category A: Countries who do not require a visa to enter Zimbabwe
- Category B: Countries who require visas to enter Zimbabwe and who can obtain them on arrival
- Category C: Countries who require visas to enter Zimbabwe and who must obtain them before arrival
Category A Visa is Free
Category B Visa Fee is US$30.00 for Single Entry
UK is US$55.00 for Single Entry and US$70.00 for Double Entry
E Visa
Zimbabwe has introduced an e visa facility, so if you need a pre-applied for visa before arriving in Zimbabwe, this can be done online at this link
Kaza Uni-Visa
The Uni-visa allows fee movement between Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana for certain passport holders. This means that if you are including two or more of these countries into your itinerary you will only have to pay one fee. (on implementation the cost was $50 pp) The UniVisa is valid for 30 days.
Visas bought on arrival
Visas can be paid for by credit card. We recommend that you have the amount needed in cash - just in case there is a power outage and the machines aren't working that day.
Health
Victoria Falls is in a malaria area. Please speak to your doctor about a malaria prophylactic. (preventative medication) The best preventative is to cover up at night by wearing long pants/ shirts, sleeping under a mosquito net and applying a mosquito spray like Peaceful Sleep, Tabard or the like. Be careful but not overly paranoid.
Language
Zimbabweans are warm friendly people and you will greeted in an amiable way wherever you go. English is widely spoken and almost everyone you come into contact with as a tourist will speak it. Foreign language interpreters can be arranged for you (at an extra cost) if required.
The Victoria Falls Rainforest
The Kingdom Hotel is in walking distance of the entrance to the Victoria Falls rainforest. If you come from colder climes and are not used to hot weather then the getting there on foot may be more than you are used to. In this case pre-arrange a Victoria Falls tour or catch a cab to the rainforest entrance.
Entrance fees (Zimbabwe)*
International visitors: US30 (Adult) US$10 (child)
Regional ( SADC countries ) visitors: US$ 20 (Adult) US$8 (child)
Please note these costs are for a single entry only but you can stay within the rainforest for as long as you like within a single day.
You can use cash (USD is best, but ZAR and other major currencies are accepted) or credit card to enter the Falls from the Zimbabwe side. Please take your passport with you if you are a local or regional visitor otherwise you will be charged the international rate.
*Entrance fees are subject to change.
When the Falls are high you will get VERY WET! Take measures to protect your camera and other valuable items and dress accordingly. If you are on a guided tour a poncho will be provided, but if there is lots of water going over the Falls, you can expect to get wet right through this. Ponchos and umbrellas can be hired if you are a walk-in visitor.
Wild Animals
Victoria Falls town lies within a national park and wildlife may be encountered. (Warthogs, baboon - even elephant roam freely in town! ) Please DO NOT EVER touch, feed or get "up close and personal" for a photo opportunity.
Have A Sense Of Humour
Things in Vic Falls may not work the same way as in the "First World" You may not get almond milk for your tea for instance, or maybe the visa process is slower than you're used to. Take it as part of the "Zen Of Travel". The friendliness of the Zimbabwe people you will encounter will more than make up for any hassles you may face.