Road access to the Zambezi Valley is often on gravel

ACCESS AND ENTRY

VISAS

Citizens of  most Southern African (SADC) countries (including South Africa) do not require visas to enter Zimbabwe.  Other passport holders do need visas, which can usually be purchased at your point of entry. Be patient when dealing with officialdom at entry points. Expect delays.

Canadian passports: Single entry only: US$75

British and Irish passports:Single entry: US$55 (or equivalent in SARands or Pounds); Double entry:  US$$70.

Other passports (USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand).  Single entry US$30 (or equivalent in SA Rands or Pounds); Double entry US$45 (or equivalent). 

Citizens of some countries (e.g. Angola) need to apply for visas in advance at their  nearest Zimbabwean Embassy

BORDER TIMES

The main border crossings in the Kariba/Zambezi area are at Chirundu and at Kariba Dam. Borderposts are open at the following times:
Chirundu: 6.00a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Kariba Dam: 6.00a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Be careful not to arrive just before closing time. You may not be allowed through, even if there are still some minutes to go.

Other points of entry into Zimbabwe are at Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo International Airports, and borderposts at Beitbridge (from South Africa), Plumtree or Kasane (from Botswana), Mutare and Nyamapanda (from Mozambique).

GETTING AROUND

By air: Charter flights into Kariba airport are available, but there are currently no direct international flights or scheduled local connections into Kariba, (the largest airport in the area). We expect this frustrating situation to improve as visitor numbers increase. International travellers have to fly into Harare, Victoria Falls or Lusaka in Zambia and connect onwards on a charter flight or road transfer.

Air Charter companies operate light aircraft into Kariba and into bush airstrips throughout the Zambezi valley.

By boat: The popular car and passenger ferry service which plies Lake Kariba between Mlibizi and Kariba Town is no longer doing regular runs, except during a trial period in December 2009 and January 2010.  We expect this situation to improve as visitor numbers increase. Charters are possible but expensive, as the whole boat has to be paid for.
Many parts of Lake Kariba are accessible by private or hired motorboat, houseboat or sailboat from harbours out of Kariba Town, and, to a lesser extent, out of Binga or Mlibizi.
Within Zimbabwe, there are boat launching facilities along the Zambezi River between Chirundu and Mana Pools and between Mana Pools and Kanyemba. Note that Mana Pools National Park prohibits the launching or retrieval of motorboats anywhere on its shores.

By road:
North: The main two-lane tar road between Harare and Chirundu (or Lusaka and Chirundu) is the gateway into the middle Zambezi valley and Kariba. The turn-off to Kariba is at Makuti and there is two-lane tar all the way into Kariba town. All other roads into the Zambezi valley are on dirt. For most remote areas a sturdy pick-up or 4 x 4 is required for self-drive, especially during the rainy season. Road transfers can be organized into the remote areas of the valley from Harare and Lusaka. Car or coach hire services operate between the main centres along the tarred roads.
West: At the western end of Lake Kariba, a two-lane tar road goes as far as Binga from the main Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road at Hwange. From there onwards along the southern shore of the lake, the road is dirt.
Central: the central section of Lake Kariba (including Sengwa Safari Area, Chizarira and Matusadona National Parks) can be accessed from the east or west via a long dirt road running the length of the lake between Karoi and Hwange. This road is not advisable for non 4x4 vehicles, and may be impassable during the rains.  It can also be accessed via a tar road from KweKwe (on the main Bulawayo-Harare road), through Gokwe.
East: A dirt road leads to Kanyemba, the north-easternmost point of Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River, via Mvurwi, Guruve, Mushumbi Pools and Angwa Bridge. Dry season only. An alternative, scenic (4x4) route, is to travel on dirt road via the entire southern section of the Mana Pools/Sapi and Chewore areas, via the Parks camp at Mkanga Bridge, turning northwards to Kanyemba just west of Angwa Bridge.

Many operators, hotels, lodges and camps have their own air, boat or vehicle transfer services.  Check with your agent that transfers are prior booked, as making arrangements on arrival can be difficult and can leave visitors susceptible to fraudsters.

Diesel, petrol and motor oils are now readily available for cash in US$ or SA Rands at borderposts and fuel outlets in all major towns in Zimbabwe (including Kariba). Unleaded fuel is less easy to find. It is wise to check availability before you set out! If self-driving to remote National Park areas always carry enough fuel for the return journey. Most garages will fill metal containers, but not plastic ones.
Fuel for houseboat charters can be purchased from some harbours in Kariba with prior arrangement.

• Driving in Zimbabwe and Zambia is on the left.
• Bringing a car across a border involves bureaucracy such as Police Clearance, and charges for Insurance and Carbon Tax (usually US$10 each). Check with the relevant authorities or the Automobile Association for details of what's needed.
• Foreign driving licences are acceptable for up to 90 days (or indefinite, if from the SADC region). 
• There is a good network of main roads in the region, but they are not motorways (or even highways as such). Most are two-lane tarred roads which have deteriorated in places due to lack of maintenance. Do not drive too fast. Be careful of potholes and of livestock which may wander (even onto main roads) during the day or at night. Recently introduced tolls on main access routes in Zimbabwe are aimed at assisting the authorities in improving the state of the roads in the country.
• When travelling in urban areas, be aware that traffic lights are not always working due to electricity cuts and lack of maintenance.  Approach all intersections with caution. If the lights appear to be non-functional, put on your emergency hazards and cross only when the road is clear.
• Avoid travelling at night if possible.
• Police road blocks are common. Remain calm, always be polite, co-operate and follow instructions or requests. You may have your vehicle searched. Show your driver's licence if required. If you are in the wrong, accept it as being your fault and pay a fine. Insist on an official receipt.  If you feel you are being treated unfairly, stand your ground, but don't be rude and whatever you do, do not swear!  Do not be tempted to get out of a Traffic Offence by buying your way out of the problem.  We do not need corruption in Zimbabwe, rather an enforcement of the Rule of Law. Keep your sense of humour - it often helps!  If you have a serious problem at a Police roadblock and feel you are being unfairly treated or need some help, call any of the following Police Public Relations officers: 
• Superintendent NCUBE: 0912 719 730 or 011 769 768
• Superintendent KANGWARE: 011 415 491
• Superintendent HODBO: 0912 273 286
• Spokesperson Traffic - Inspector Chigome: 0912 965 030 or (0)4 799269 Ext 124
• 24 HOUR Service (04) 703 631
• Please do not abuse these telephone numbers. They have been made available in good faith for reporting personal incidents or experiences, and for constructive criticism or genuine complaints only.)
• Under Zimbabwean law, if the presidential motorcade approaches, (signalled by large motorcycles with flashing blue lights and wailing sirens) you must pull over and stop on the side of the road until the whole motorcade has passed. Do not attempt to avoid this.
• Most dirt roads in rural areas or National Parks are passable during the dry winter months in a sturdy car, pick-up or 4x4, but can be corrugated. During the rainy season they can be very rutted and muddy, making four-wheel drive a necessity. Some dirt roads become impassable during the rains as river crossings are flooded.