Fun things to do in Zimbabwe

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*** THIS IS AN ANSWER TO A TRAVEL FORUM QUESTION ***

Vias fees go by Nationality on the border at Vistoria Falls. A UK passport is less than a USA one for example. Then it gets interesting. Only at Victoria Falls does Zimbabwe offer a cheaper 1 day visa. Zambia works the same.

The Zambia "Day Tripper" costs £20
http://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/zims/VISA_FEES.aspx

Zimbabwe offers a day visa as well, but does not advertise this on their websites.

Just in case I was in Zimbabwe with a single entry visa, went into Zambia then walked past the always crowded Zimbabwe post just in case when I returned. They don't pay attention.

If you stay on the Zambia side you will have to pay Zimbabwe $20-$30 max plus $25 to get into the park.

All figures in US Dollars. Photo no. 5 is the Zimbabwe Border Post

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The 70 km road from Kazungula border to Victoria Falls is inside a national park. A lot of baboons were sitting along the road. When the taxi stopped, they all ran up away, and some of them climbed up in the trees.

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This question comes up a lot on the travel forums here on VT. Zimbabwe is safe for Tourists. Not 100%, but no where is. Zimbabwe is a failed economy and there are many bad stories in the news about the poverty and sometimes violence. These issues do not affect Tourists. Yes, there is more property crime so keep an eye on your bags at all times. Tourist areas like Victoria Falls National Park are well controlled. The local people are extremely friendly.

So what are the problems? You cannot rely on things like fuel here. You can drive here, but only a few companies will allow you to take a car into Zimbabwe. You cannot trust the money and/or banks. The Government has a policy of giving you exchange rates that are 25% of what you can get from some travel agents. Try never to have Zim money if you can avoid it. Food can be hard to find so bring some tinned food if you are travelling here for a while. Never exchange money on the streets. It’s illegal and you would be easy to spot doing so. Only drive a car full of fuel from another country. You won’t get any here. The most important thing? Never discuss Politics. I never heard a political discussion except behind closed doors in someone’s house. It’s not worth the hassle.

What can you do? There are still bus companies that transit through Zimbabwe. Many tourist areas are near other countries borders. Plenty of tour companies still operate here. The crowing glory is the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls. You can walk over from Zambia and even stay a few nights in a hotel on the Zim side. Probably a bit cheaper and certainly less crowded.

If you want to come here, do so and plan carefully. That’s all you have to do and Zimbabweans will appreciate your contribution to their economy.

You can visit Victoria Falls of the Zambezi River from both the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides, both of which offer distinct views of different parts. Devil's Cataract, for example, is best viewed from Zimbabwe.

"The Smoke that Thunders" is an amazing place for geology- if you trace the history of the falls back over the millenia, you'll see that it is just the newest incarnation of the falls, which, from its base, zig zags downstream through the previous locations of the falls that existed long before Dr. Livingstone came across the falls in 1855, long before even the Kololo and other tribes even existed.

Stretching for almost one mile, Mosi-oa-Tunya, as the locals call it, when flowing at full capacity, drops a little under 550 million (I've also heard 550,000) cubic meters per minute onto the rocks over 100 meters below, making it the largest sheet of water in the world.

Once you cross the border into Zimbabwe, it's only 100 meters or so to the park entrance. You can stay in Livingstone, Zambia and come over for a day trip, crossing the bridge on foot if you want, though that may be about a 1 or 2 kilometer walk. The entrance fee may be about $20 USD. If you are coming from Zimbabwe, the entrance is just 100 meters before the border. You can park on either side of the border post and walk in- that seems to be the common way to do it, especially for the visitors from Zambia- that way you don't have to pay the carbon tax and so on.

There aren't always the railings here that you find in Zambia, only thorn bushes to keep you back from the edge.

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This is Ms. Madzore’s class from Mbizo, Zimbabwe visiting Victoria Falls. Across Africa you will see school trips visiting the natural and historic wonders of their own country. A great thing. What they often do not have is a camera to record the event. One of the students watched me taking pictures and realised my camera had a digital screen. She asked me to take the class picture and they all had a good look at the result. Usually that’s the end of it. I asked Ms. Madzore if she would like me to email her the pictures. As soon as I said it I realised the problem. So, I took her details, printed the photos at home and posted them on to here. The cost to me? A few dollars of prints. For the class – priceless.

So if you see a school group, why not adopt them and print up some photos they can cherish forever.

If you would like to send a donation of supplies, please send it to the address below:

Ms. Patricia Madzore
Emthonjeni P. School
PO Box 30
Mbizo
Kwekwe
Zimbabwe

I can't believe that I border the country of Zimbabwe and this was the first time I saw the Vic Falls... It truely is one of the wonders of the world and is beyond expectation!!! The landscape around the water falls is untouched, completely natural, we actually saw a wild buck while walking around the falls. And since it was raining my tekkies got soaked in wild red berries!
Even though we didn't do the water sports due to the weather, just running with the rain and the spray of the falls was a mighty experience!:)

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You don't have to be crazy to do this, but you will enjoy it more if you are. These guys are located in the ‘No Man’s Land’ between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The pictures are of a friend of mine who took the plunge and enjoyed it once he realise he would actually live. The 111 metre (364 feet) is advertised as 100% safe and there have been over 50,000 jumpers. Sounds like good business. It’s certainly scenic and you do get pictures of your jump included in the price. I just hope your pictures come out better than these! You can book in advance or just so and make arrangements with them. Just about any tour agent on either side will sell you a time slot.

Have a blast!

On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the floodplains. The area is home to a remarkable concentration of wild animals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards and cheetahs. An important concentration of Nile crocodiles is also be found in the area.
Private and gouvernement camps can be found here, as are canoe tours along the mighty Zambezi River.