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Discover Africa with Beachcomber
As a specialist tour operator we have made a conscious decision not to try sell the whole of Southern Africa. Instead we have chosen to focus on just a few very special destinations, namely South Africa, where we have our own office, Botswana, Namibia and Victoria Falls.
These countries are fantastic destinations in their own right, can be combined together or added with time spent on an Indian Ocean island. And as all of our luxury Africa holidays are tailor-made you get to choose where, what and how you see these beautiful countries.
The Beachcomber website, we hope, gives you some holiday inspiration. For a personal understanding of these great destinations and specialist advice on planning your own Africa holiday call and have a chat with our Africa team.
Travel tips on our destinations can be found below, to delve right into our holidays to Africa click on one of the following links:
South Africa holidays, Botswana holidays, Namibia holidays, Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
When to Go
'When's the best time to go and visit Victoria Falls' and 'what's the weather like' in many cases form one and the same question. The dry winter months (May to October) are the most comfortable for travelling, but you'll miss the green landscapes that characterise the hotter and wetter summer season (November to April). In winter, night-time temperatures can fall below freezing but the days are best for wildlife viewing because animals tend to concentrate close to water holes and are therefore easily observed. National parks are most crowded during South African school holidays, so to avoid the throngs, avoid mid-April to mid-May and mid-July to mid-September. There's a secondary rush around the Namibian school holidays in December and early January.
Passport & Visas
You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe. This can be obtained from the Zimbabwean representation in the UK or on arrival in Zimbabwe. The current charge for a single entry visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is £35.00 or 55$, although this could change. If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, you should bring enough cash with you to pay for your visa on arrival.
Visitors are currently being given entry permission for anything up to 90 days. You are strongly advised to check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay, although you can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required. It is illegal to work in Zimbabwe without the correct visa or work permit. We recommend that before you travel you should first check current entry requirements with the Zimbabwean Embassy. Anyone intending to carry out journalistic activity needs to arrange prior accreditation through the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. Journalists working without proper accreditation are liable to arrest, detention and possible deportation.
Passport validity - your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages left in it.
Time
Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls are 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Health
Further health recommendations can also be found on the website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk and on the Foreign Office website www.fco.gov.uk
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential and is not automatically included in your booking. Please ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and take any relevant documentation with you.
Currency
Hard currency is difficult to come by locally, but visitors to the country are required to pay in hard currency for hotel charges, excursions and entry to Victoria Falls and many other national parks. It is illegal to exchange foreign currency in Zimbabwe anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (e.g. banks), who may not have sufficient currency to change your money. It is advisable to have small denomination notes, as change is sometimes unavailable. All airlines, with the exception of Air Zimbabwe, now include a departure tax in the price of their tickets, which you may have to pay in hard currency.
You are only allowed to take limited amounts of currency out of the country. Current limits are Zim $5,000,000. Amounts in excess of this must be handed in at the airport/border. You can take US$1000 (or the equivalent amount in other foreign currencies) out of the country. An Exchange Control Authority is required for amounts in excess of this. If you are using credit cards, you are advised to check the rate of exchange and check how much the item would cost in Sterling before completing any transaction. Zimbabwe currently operates an artificially high exchange rate of Z$30,000 to the US Dollar. The Zimbabwean Dollar’s real value is many times less than that. The country is also in the grip of hyperinflation, with exponential rates of price increase, and many resulting shortages of basic goods and services.
Check in, check out and Your Room
Check-in time is generally 14h00. Should you arrive prior to this time, the hotel / lodge will usually make every effort to let you have your room on arrival but this cannot be guaranteed.
Check out time is between 10h00 and 12h00. Should your departure be later than this, please advise the hotel / lodge on your arrival and they will typically do everything possible to assist you, though this cannot be guaranteed.
Security
Please ensure that your passport, air tickets and travellers cheques are safely stored in the safe in your room or with the camp manager. We recommend that you do not leave jewellery, mobile phones, cameras or any other valuables in your room or in public areas. When travelling please ensure that your cases are securely locked.
What to Pack
Victoria Falls experiences mild winters, but temperatures can drop to below freezing at night and the summer days can get quite hot. Lightweight, casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a jacket or jersey and perhaps something to keep your legs warm for early mornings and evenings.
Local Law and Customs
You should always carry your identity documentation or copy of your passport.
Photography of government offices, airports, military establishments, official residences and embassies, in addition to other sensitive facilities, is illegal without special permission from the Ministry of Information. Taking photographs of members of the security services (police and armed forces personnel) and of demonstrations and protests is not permitted. Laws are strictly enforced. You should note that the area around State House in Harare (the President's official residence) is patrolled by armed members of the Presidential Guard. They do not allow loitering, by motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, and photography is strictly prohibited. Use of GPS navigation systems around the President’s Residence is not advised. If possible, you should avoid this area.
The simultaneous holding of Zimbabwean and a foreign passport is prohibited. The Zimbabwean authorities may prosecute people found to be in possession of both a Zimbabwean and a British passport. The British Embassy is not in a position to provide the full range of services to people with dual British and Zimbabwean nationality.
Zimbabwe has many safari lodges and game reserves. There have been a number of incidents in which animals have attacked visitors resulting in injuries and, in some cases, deaths.
Animals in the game parks and reserves are wild. They should be treated with caution and respect, and not approached too closely.
There are laws against indecency, which effectively make homosexuality illegal in Zimbabwe.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences.
You should not carry any precious or semi-precious stones without the appropriate paperwork.
It is against the law for civilians to wear any form of clothing made from camouflage material.
Ramadan
Ramadan is celebrated annually in Zimbabwe and is approximately from 01 September 2008 for one month. Ramadan dates cannot be guaranteed as it commences with the sighting of the New Moon. During Ramadan all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Eating, drinking and smoking in public areas as well as live entertainment during this time is generally prohibited. Hotels make special arrangements for their guests including certain restaurants that open all day. Alcohol is served from sunset (19h00) onwards although you are allowed to drink alcohol in the privacy of your room prior to this time.
Electricity
The electricity supply in Kenya is 220V 50Hz. Plugs are 3-point square and 3-point round.
Tipping
Tipping of lodge and hotel personnel is not mandatory, but a demonstration of your appreciation for good service is welcomed. Personnel who are deserving of tips are guides, porters, room cleaners and waiters in bars and restaurants who have been particularly helpful. Tipping of transport personnel is also appreciated and drivers of transfer vehicles, tour coach drivers and guides are deserving of recognition. Tipping can be in local currency although many prefer US$ or £sterling.
Special Diets
Special diets can easily be catered for, and dietary requests must be made to airlines no less than 48 hours prior to departure. It is worth mentioning any special requests on check in, and again when you confirm your return flight.
Mobile Phones
The mobile phone network in Zambia and Zimbabwe is good in the larger towns and tourist areas. Please ensure you have international roaming installed on your phone. All GSM phones are compatible.
