Victoria Falls Travel Info
Health
Victoria Falls is in a malaria area. Please consult a doctor about a suitable malaria prophylactic. (preventative medication) before your arrival. Take extra precautions by covering up at night by wearing long pants/ shirts and applying a mosquito repellent after dark.
Language
English is widely spoken and almost everyone you come into contact with as a tourist will speak it. Foreign language interpreters are available and can be arranged for you at an additional cost if required. Please arrange this before arrival to avoid disappointment.
Money
Currency:
Foreign currencies are no longer acceptable as legal tender in Zimbabwe as of 24 June 2019 for local purchases. Tourists can still pay for visas in forex cash and any travel related items with their credit card and pay gratuities for good service in foreign exchange. Do not exchange forex for local currency via street vendors. It is illegal.
Credit cards:
Zim is undergoing a cash shortage and as a result the major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and even American Express are accepted almost everywhere.
Passports
Visitors to Zimbabwe require a passport 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 consume passport space.
Safety
Victoria Falls is a very safe destination to visit. The people of Zimbabwe are renowned for their hospitality and the warmth of the people will be remembered long after your visit. Almost everyone who lives in Victoria Falls is associated in some way with tourism for their income so it is in their interest for guests to be safe and have a good time. However, many Zimbabweans are poor so please remove temptation by keeping your valuables in the safe in your hotel room.
Visas
Many countries from Europe, the Americas and Australasia require 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
Prices are subject to change
E Visa
Zimbabwe has introduced an e visa facility; if you require a pre-applied for visa before arriving in Zimbabwe, this can be done online at this link
Kaza Uni-Visa
The Uni-visa allows for free 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 forex cash - just in case there is a power outage and the machines aren't working that day.
Victoria Falls Rainforest
The Victoria Falls Hotel is in walking distance of the entrance to the Victoria Falls rainforest and has its own private path down to the rainforest entrance.
If you would like to know more of the history and formation of the Victoria Falls, a “Tour of the Falls” activity is recommended. An informative guide will collect you from the hotel in an air- conditioned vehicle, guide you through the rainforest and regale you with stories. A poncho or umbrella and bottled water is also usually provided.
Payment: You can use a credit card to pay for entrance the rainforest 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.
Clothing: When the Falls are high you will get wet. Ponchos and umbrellas can be hired if you are a walk-in visitor but even these are not always enough to keep your clothes completely dry. Please take precautions to keep your valuables dry. We suggest guests use comfortable all weather shoes, sunglasses and sun hat.
Wild Animals
The town of Victoria Falls lies within a national park. You may encounter warthogs, baboon, vervet monkeys and even elephant. DO NOT EVER touch, feed or attempt to get close for a photograph.