Shopping In Victoria Falls
This is a pretty small town, and it is primarily focused on tourism. There are a few large hotels with accompanying curio shops, and there are also small galleries and boutiques, as well as some tasty restaurants and cafes. Because it’s small, it’s easy to walk down the entire length of the town in just one kilometre.

The Elephant’s Walk shops are on the Moor Road, a short walk from the hotel. Close to Ilala Lodge, The Kingdom Hotel and Victoria Falls Hotel are the banks, the post office and Air Zimbabwe office, and just behind this is great little shopping centre called Elephant’s Walk. Elephant’s walk is also very close to the large outdoor curio market, where you will be stunned by the sheer volume of wood carvings, stone sculptures and other forms of exceptionally good art from some very talented artists.”

 

THINGS YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW?

White Water Rafting
Factor to consider when planning your holiday to the Victoria Falls are: rafting season generally closes completely around April/May – due to excessive high water level of the Zambezi River. It re opens around July. Best Rafting – August through

 

 

Devil’s Pool
Devil’s Pool is a death-defying feat that even the most casual of thrill seekers must add to their travel bucket list.

Devil’s Pool is adjacent to the famous Livingstone Island situated on the edge of the Victoria Falls. Guests can choose to enjoy an exhilarating swim to the edge of the falls during their Livingstone Island visit. The Devil’s Pool is usually open between mid August and mid January – depending on Zambezi water levels. Duration is about 2 1/2 hours

 

When to Visit
Any time of the year can provide a fantastic experience in Zimbabwe, but they can vary as the weather warms and changes during the year.

Game viewing tends to be at its peak from July – November (when then rains start to arrive). During this time, the game can be easier to spot in more significant numbers as it tends to collect at pumped waterholes, as water is scarce in other parts of the parks. Bird life tends to be good, and during September, you can expect the migrant bird species to start to arrive.

The Zambezi river usually hits its higher water level around March, and depending on rains elsewhere in Africa, the level can stay high until it starts to fall in late May or early June. During this time, the Falls are at total volume, and the sheer amount of water cascading down is outstanding. The importance of spray can make viewing the Falls from the ground complex, but it’s excellent for aerial viewing and photography from helicopters.

By late August, the daytime temperatures start to rise, which can be hot with the evenings staying warm.  The temperatures continue to increase, and from September to December are scorching. It’s not unusual for daytime temperatures to reach the 40°C range. The river level starts to fall, and the nature of the Falls themselves starts to change as the volume of water flowing over them drops.  The spray remains heavy, and you will get very wet during a rainforest walk.  The rainy season is officially November to April, and you can expect cloudy conditions, heavy bursts of rain and thunderstorms.  They tend to clear quickly, and you can still expect warm sunshine regularly. The batteries do make for dramatic viewing over the river Zambezi.  During this time, the river level tends to be at its lowest, and parts of the Falls dry up, leaving more of the rock face to view.

The cooler ‘Winter’ months are June and July in Zimbabwe.  The game can be less visible as they retreat into the bush, where they find plenty of water. Average high temperatures range from 20-27°C  and lows between 7-10°C overnight.  If camping out in the National Parks, you can expect shallow overnight temperatures around freezing and should come prepared.

The best views of the Falls are very much from the Zimbabwe side.  However, during low water season, it is an excellent time to cross the border into Zambia to visit Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool or Angel’s Pool, which you can only do from this side.

 

Currency
The official currency of Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL), which is not an internationally recognised currency and is issued in the form of Bond Notes. The economy remains fragile, and the local currency is often subject to sharp rate of exchange changes.  For international travellers, the US Dollar remains the most sensible currency, and when visiting Zimbabwe, you only want to think of US dollars.

Do not get involved with exchanging currency on the street, as you can easily get scammed, and the rate is unpredictable. If you wish to have a small amount of local currency, the wisest course of action is to deal with banks only.  The downside is that they will only give you the official exchange rate, which is likely unfavourable. In general, US Dollar cash is king, and paying is easy but be aware that there is often a shortage of lower denomination notes such as $1 and $5, and coins are not used, which means getting the correct change can be an issue.  Crime is common, particularly in Victoria Falls, but be sensible with the amount of cash you carry.

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but American Express is not so much.

A word of caution. When using your card, ensure the item you buy is priced in US Dollars. If the item is displayed in Zimbabwe Dollars (ZWL), your card will be debited at the official bank exchange rate of the day, which is very different to the parallel rate, which is what the item would have been priced at.

 

How to get to Zimbabwe
The main International airports for arrival in Zimbabwe are Harare and Victoria Falls. As time passes and the world recovers from the Covid pandemic, more international and regional airlines fly into Zimbabwe directly rather than a route through a hub such as Johannesburg.

Whilst the road network in Zimbabwe is good, some roads are poor, and there are often large potholes to contend with.  Driving at night can be hazardous as you will likely meet wildlife and poorly lit vehicles on the road. Crossing into Zimbabwe via land border posts can be slow and frustrating, particularly at the busier ones like Beitbridge and may be extended delays.

Zimbabwe has three visa categories for travellers entering

Category A: Countries whose nationals do NOT require a Visa. No action is required; you will be granted easy entry at any border post.

Category B: Countries whose nationals are granted a Zimbabwe visa at the port of entry on payment of requisite visa fees. These visas are easiest obtained on your arrival at the Airport or border post. You can pre-apply for one online using the Zimbabwe visa website and pay online, BUT there is the risk of backlogs or issues with the system.  It is easier to avoid problems or points to get your visa at your port of arrival.

If you intend to visit Zambia or have a day trip to Botswana from Zimbabwe, it is often more economical to purchase a Kaza / UniVisa when you enter Zimbabwe.

Category C: Countries whose nationals must apply for and obtain a Zimbabwe visa before travelling. You can apply for one through a Zimbabwe High Commission in your home or neighbouring country. Another way is to apply online using the Zimbabwe visa website.

 

Covid 19
Covid travel requirements are under constant review worldwide, and it is best to check what restrictions or requirements are in place near your travel time.

 

Zimbabwe is a country rich in history, world- heritage sites and wonderful National Parks and wildlife.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and known as the Adventure Capital of Africa, there’s nowhere else like Victoria Falls.  The sheer variety and choice of activities available to visitors and residents alike are unrivalled.

This is the location for those looking for adrenaline-fuelled activities, be it bungee jumping from the bridge into the gorge, white water rafting through the rapids below the Falls or kayaking on the upper Zambezi surrounded by hippos and crocodiles.

For those wanting less adrenaline and more relaxation, there are river cruises, hikes, cultural tours and vibrant local markets. You can enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets and eat in the town’s numerous bars and restaurants.  A visit to the Falls and a walk in the rain Forrest is a must to appreciate the power and majesty of the Falls, although prepare to get wet as the spray generated by the Falls can be heavy.

All of the towns are basically in a National Park and adjoining the Zambezi National Park. No fences separate the park from town, and elephants, buffalo, and hippos, as well as many other species of wildlife, might be seen wandering through town. First-class safari drives with some of the best trained and most knowledgeable guides in Africa are

 

Wildlife Conservation
There have also been many reports of uncontrolled hunting, whereby hunting is carried out unscrupulously, not taking into account the stock levels of animals etc. The situation is dire and only through the concerted effort of certain groups of people has the situation avoided complete disaster. These are some groups which have played a pivotal role in conserving our wildlife. We are very thankful to them for their dedication and hard work.

Vic Falls Anti Poaching Unit (VFAPU)

IAPF – International Anti Poaching Fund

Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust

Zambezi Society

Friends Of Hwange

International Rhino Foundation

Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve

The success of sustainable conservation today is through community awareness Everyone has to understand the value and importance of our natural resources and understand that is within their own interests to protect them.

 

Art of Zimbabwe
Art from Zimbabwe painters has been exhibited throughout the world, and  in the categories of wildlife, landscape, abstract, genre and portrait. Photographers depict everyday life, landscapes and wildlife, style and fashion, concepts of heritage and history unique to Zimbabwe, and so much more.

Zimbabwe boast some brilliant sculptors, and is considered as producing some of the best work in the world.

Shona Stone Sculpture is world renowned and you will find it selling for extremely high prices in many galleries around the world.
Each piece reflects a story that is in the mind of the sculptor. No where else in Africa will you find such incredibly talented stone art. Meanwhile the Matabele are renowned for their talent of wood carving. Many hardwood species exist in Matabeleland including the well known Rhodesian Teak (Baikiaea Plurijuga) and these artist have developed a unique talent for carving them.

Musicians from Zimbabwe have toured the world sharing their talent on four continents. Zimbabwean music falls into traditional and contemporary music, with some artists beautifully blending both. Some of the most famous musical artists from Zimbabwe