Country Information and Firearms

ZIMBABWE
 

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Africa, of 39 075 700 hectares, bordered by
South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia.

Altitudes range from around 500 metres in the northern Zambezi Valley to 1500
metres in the highveld and then slope down again to around 300 metres in the
south-east Lowveld.

Zimbabwe also has some of the world's most ancient rock formations known
generally as the Basement Complex. Large scale faulting in the distant past has
been responsible for the creation of the Middle Zambezi Valley in the north and
the Sabi Valley in the east.

CLIMATE
Zimbabwe's climate is divided mainly into Summer and Winter. 

Summer is October to April when maximum temperatures average 32C and during
which rains may be expected. Winter is May to September and average temperatures
during the day are 20 Celsius, but can drop much lower at night. Very little
rain can be expected at this time.

Although game viewing and safari activities take place year round, the game is
more easily visible during Winter when the vegetation dries off.

In recent years the rains have not been very heavy during the Summer, resulting
in dry agricultural conditions, but good game viewing conditions for most of the
year.

TRANSPORTATION
By Air
Zimbabwe is serviced externally by its own Air Zimbabwe and by international
airlines from many parts of the world. Connections can be made through
Johannesburg in South Africa, for destinations not servicing Harare directly.
Air Zimbabwe runs regular internal flights between the capital Harare and
Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
Main airports are at Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls with flights to
Johannesburg, Cape Town and other regional destinations from Victoria Falls and
Harare.
By Road
Surfaced highways link the capital, Harare, with Bulawayo, Hwange, Victoria
Falls, Kariba, the Eastern Highlands, Mutare and the Lowveld.
Travellers by road may enter Zimbabwe from South Africa through Beitbridge, from
Botswana through Plumtree or Victoria Falls, from Namibia through Victoria
Falls, from Zambia through Victoria Falls, Kariba or Chirundu and from
Mozambique through Mutare or Nyamapanda.
Normal sedan vehicles are adequate for the main highways. Lesser used gravel
roads into the wilderness areas may require four wheel drive. Car Hire is
available in the main towns.
By Train 
A railway network links the main towns and also connects with Zambia through
Victoria Falls and South Africa.
VISAS
CATEGORY A (Countries whose nationals do not require visas)
Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Isl., Congo (DRC),
Cyprus, Fiji, Grenada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Leeward
Isl., Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat,
Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand,Western Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Isl., St Kitts,
St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadies, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad
& Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia

CATEGORY B ( Countries whose nationals are granted visas at the port of entry on
payment of the requisite visa fees)
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Britain (U.K), Brunei, Canada,
Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominica Rep., Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana*,
Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South),
Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway; Palau Islands,
Palestine (State of), Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico (U.S.A.),
Seychelles, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.S.A., United Arab Emirates (U.A..E),
Uruguay; Vatican, Virgin Islands (U.S.A.).
* gratis visas for Ghanaians

CATEGORY C ( Countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain
visas prior to traveling)
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Amtenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain,
Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African
Rep., Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comores Isl., Congo Brazzaville, Congo
(D.Rep.), Costa Rica, Cote d'Voire, Croatia,Cuba, Czech Rep., Djibouti Rep.,
Equator, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Eyrom ,
French Guiana, French Polynesia, French West Indies, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia,
Gibraltar, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Guyana; Conakry, Haiti,
Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (D.P.R.K),
Krygystan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macau, Madagascar ,
Mali, Marshall Isl. ,Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco,
Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nieu, Niger, Nigeria,
Norfolk Islands, Northern Marianna's, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Philippines, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia Fed, Rwanda, Samoa (America), San
Marino, Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovak Rep.,
Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa**, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan,
Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,
Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen Rep., Yugoslavia.
**gratis visas at port of entry for South Africans-Bilateral agreement.

NB Please check your visa requirements with your Travel Agent before travelling
Advice
Zimbabwe is a third world country and visitors will see signs of poverty.
We suggest any desire to assist the poor be channeled into official
organisations where the funds are accounted for. Funding beggars simply creates more beggars. Visitors can purchase local handicrafts on offer by vendors and thus support individual enterprise. Motorists may wish to pay for the services of young parking attendants.

Visitors are advised to be aware of the worldwide scourge of pick pocketing and
to keep their valuables safe at all times. You should carry identification with
you at all times. Avoid walking in darkened places at night and where there are
few other people in the vicinity.

Visitors in wildlife areas are asked to act responsibly. Animals may appear
docile and "tame", but they are nevertheless, wild. Animals tolerate man's
presence under certain circumstances, but abuse of this privilege may result in
them making an attack. Do not feed animals as this results in the animal
ultimately having to be shot because it becomes too dangerous to visitors.

Always comply with your Professional Guide or Courier's instructions.

A Tourism Levy is charged at 2% on daily rates.
Airport departure tax is currently US$30 per head.
Electricity supply is 220-240V a.c. accessible via 13amp square pinned fused
plugs. 
 
VEGETATION
Zimbabwe's vegetation is covered principally by tropical woodlands and savannas
interspersed with areas of grassland.

On the central plateau over 1200m the dominant vegetation is savanna woodland
with the predominant tree being the "Msasa". Vleis consisting of moist grassland
occur along the drainage lines in both woodland and savanna.

Below 900m we have a more deciduous tree savanna with the Mopane woodlands of
the hot, dry river valley systems as in the Middle Zambezi, characterised by
many Baobabs. A palm savanna also occurs in more limited areas.

In the eastern highlands, with the increase in rainfall and cooler temperatures,
Mopane vegetation predominates and Giant Heath occurs.

HEALTH
Malaria preventative medicines are necessary in most of Zimbabwe, particularly
in the big game areas in the Zambezi Valley and Lowveld.

Please consult your own physician before coming to Zimbabwe. A
pyrimethamine/dapsone combination drug taken once a week is generally used
locally, and Chloroquine is first choice of malaria treatment in Zimbabwe..

Bilharzia is present in many dams and rivers and it is advisable to make
minimal contact with this water. However, Bilharzia is easily curable by
Biltricide or similar medication.

AIDS: is prevalent in Africa but may be avoided by refraining from irresponsible
sexual behavior. All Medical Blood Bank serum and blood is tested prior to use.

MEDICAL AIR RESCUE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES are available in most areas of Zimbabwe. Insurance cover for this is available - please speak to your Tour Organiser or Operator who can assist in obtaining this cover.

Private as well as Government clinics, hospitals and Medical Practitioners are
available at the main city/town centers. All Professional Guides have First Aid
Training.

Your Operator will advise what rifles are appropriate for the hunt booked. A.375 or bigger and a medium caliber 7mm - 300 HxH range are suggested as generally suitable for most hunts.

Hunting rifles may be temporarily imported into Zimbabwe and forms will either be sent to you by the Operator or may be completed upon arrival at Zimbabwe Customs. Bring your own ammunition with you to ensure you have the type you prefer. Ensure you complete the Firearms Temporary Import Permit accurately. 

A bow with a draw weight of not less than 35kg and an arrow weighing not less than 45 grams is required for Giraffe and Eland and draw weight of not less than 35kg with an arrow not less than 40 grams is required for most antelope.Bow hunting may onlly take place on private  hunting areas or communal hunting areas, NOT in a Nation Park or Government controled Safari Area.

A caliber of no less than 9.2mm in diameter with muzzle energy of 5.3 kilojoules is required for Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo. 
A caliber of no less than 7mm in diameter with a muzzle energy of no less than 4.3 kilojoules is required for Lion, Giraffe and Eland. 
A caliber of no less than 7mm in diameter with a muzzle energy of no less than 3 kilojoules is required for Crocodile, Hyena, Kudu, Leopard, Nyala, Sable, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Zebra etc. 
A caliber of no less than 5.6mm in diameter with muzzle energy of no less than 850 joules is required for Bushbuck, Bushpig, Impala, Reedbuck