Important Information

COVID Requirements:

Zimbabwe's current policy for international travelers requires either proof of vaccination (please bring your card, not a photocopy) OR a printed negative PCR test that was taken within 48 hours of departure.

Visas:

You will purchase your visa upon arrival at the Victoria Falls Airport. 

A single entry visa is $30.

Double entry is $45.

Multiple entry is $55.

If you plan to do activities in Zambia or Botswana (e.g. Chobe Day Trip), consider the double or multiple entry visas. You need to have cash for the visa payment.

Airport Pick-Up:

Transportation from Victoria Falls Airport to Elephant Hills Resort is scheduled based on the flight itineraries that you sent us. As you exit the terminal, look for the welcome sign (see attached).

If you need any assistance upon arrival, please contact our Logistics Manager, Praline Petersen, at +263 78 404 7156 or our African Sun representative, Rutendo Saurombe, at +263 77 260 2193.

Cash & Payments:

The accepted currency in Zimbabwe is the US Dollar (USD). Bring cash, preferably small denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20). Avoid $100 bills because change can be hard to come by.

In most places, you can use your debit and credit card. However, banks usually charge an international fee. Batoka and most restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard. 

If you choose to use your debit or credit card, make sure you have informed your bank of your travel plans beforehand.

Please review the activity sign-up descriptions to view which activities are cash only.

Additional Things to Note:

• Please download WhatsApp to your phone before leaving the country because text verification is part of the account set-up process.
• Upon your hotel check-in, please let the hotel know which shuttle you plan to take to Hwange Safari Lodge on Thursday (9:30 AM or 3:00 PM).
• In one of our previous emails, we had The Boma Dinner & Drum Show listed as $35 + $6 transportation, but the correct price is $38 + $6 transportation.
• Please visit our FAQs page for more information.
• We have added a Communications page on our website that includes summaries of all the previous emails we have sent.

Packing List:

Type G Adapter

Dark, plain outfits for animal activities

• Consider pairing leggings, jeans, khaki shorts/pants, or sweatpants with a hoodie, jacket, or t-shirt that is dark and has minimal patterns/design elements.

Sun protection - sunscreen, hats, caps, etc.

Plan outfits with layers that you can adjust throughout the day - temperatures can be in the low 40s in the mornings and evenings and rise into the high 70s during the day.

A pair (or two) of comfortable walking shoes

A pair of shoes (flip flops, water shoes, etc.) and clothes that you don't mind getting wet to wear to the falls in case there is lots of mist (this can vary by day, but it's always better to be prepared).

I wore a water-resistant fishing shirt and swim trunks to the falls.

A poncho or rain jacket would be good to bring if you are wearing an outfit you don't want to get wet.

Be sure to reference our last email that includes what to wear at special events.

Secure luggage with TSA-approved locks.

• Since most flights involve a stop or two at different airports, it's always better to secure your luggage.

Bring a portable power bank if you plan on using your phone to take a lot of pictures and videos throughout the day.

Cash (bring small denominations as change can be difficult to come by)

• ATMs are not available.
• Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most places, but some activities (refer to the sign-up page in a previous email) accept cash only.
• There is a craft market that has good souvenirs outside of the entrance to Victoria Falls that is cash only.
• Please visit our FAQs page so you are aware of other costs like visas, transportation, etc.)

Fanny pack or belt

• They may be out of style (or are they?), but a fanny pack was very helpful on my recent flight to Indonesia so I could keep my passport, boarding pass, hand sanitizer, cash, credit cards, etc. easily accessible but also secure. Thabile used one for our trip to Zimbabwe as well.
• Thabile got me the belt linked above for our trip to Zimbabwe. It was very handy as a place to keep my phone on the elephant ride, and it kept my phone dry when we visited the falls.

Avoid packing camouflage clothes as it is reserved only for the army in Zimbabwe.

Flight Tips:

Bring along a travel pillow (or two).

• I recently used this inflatable travel pillow on my long flight to Indonesia, and it was a game-changer.
• I also have a traditional neck pillow, but it's nice to have a couple of different options for sleeping that you can alternate between.

Download the Calm App to help you sleep on the plane.

• It has Sleep Stories, guided sleep-inducing exercises, and sleep sounds that you can download ahead of your flight and access on the plane without WiFi.

Pack a small toiletry bag.

• It's always nice to be prepared with some things that can help you feel fresh and comfortable during such a long flight including wet wipes, mouthwash, toothbrush/paste, hand sanitizer, Tums, pain killers, gum, sleep medicine, tissue, saline solution, etc.

Bring a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Download your favorite shows and movies from Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, etc.

• Be sure to set aside time a day or two before the flight to download everything you want from streaming apps so you can access them in airplane mode.
• There will be movies and shows provided on the flight, but it's always good to bring some on your own device in case of technical difficulties or if they don't have something you are interested in watching.

Download podcasts and music.

Bring a book or two (or your Kindle).

Bring a charger for any device you plan to use on the plane.

For contacts-wearers like myself, I would recommend wearing glasses for the trip so you don't have to worry about your eyes getting dry or irritated.

Other Notes:

Download WhatsApp

• It is the main method of communication in Zimbabwe, and you will need it to communicate with the logistics manager, transportation providers, hotels, restaurants, and activity providers (plus many of our guests).
• You can text and make audio/video calls on WhatsApp when you are connected to WiFi.

If you think you will need service at all times that isn't dependent on WiFi, we recommend speaking to your service provider about an international plan.

Alternatively, if your phone is unlocked (you can check with your provider to find out if it is or if it can be), you can purchase a prepaid SIM card in Zimbabwe.

The rehearsal dinner pick-up time has been moved up to 5:00 PM so that guests can enjoy these views and take photos before the sun sets at 6:00 PM.

The Wedding - Formal

For Her:

• Formal dresses
• Elegant pantsuits/jumpsuits

For Him:

• Suit and tie
• Tuxes are options (Groomsmen will be wearing suits with ties.)

Rehearsal Dinner - Dressy Casual

For Her:

• Dress (floor-length not required) or a dressy skirt and top
• A pantsuit/jumpsuit is also appropriate

For Him:

• Dress shirt and slacks or khaki pants
• Ties are optional

The Boma Dinner & Drum Show, Sunset Wildlife Cruise, & Bush Dinner

For these evening activities, focus on comfort and warmth. Close-toed shoes are recommended.

Daytime Activities

This will vary based on the activity but focus on comfort.

For activities involving animal interactions, wear dark, muted outfits.

Mornings will still be pretty chilly, but it will get up into the 70s during the day. Wear layers if you go out in the morning that you can take off as it warms up. 

Depending on the wind, there may be lots of mist around Victoria Falls, so bring a rain jacket, poncho, or wear an outfit you don't mind getting wet.

Close-toed shoes are recommended for walking the falls and during animal interactions.

Group Activities

 There will be group activities every evening, please let us know if you do NOT plan on attending (regrets only), otherwise, the assumption is we

should include you in our planning and reservations.

Monday, July 11

• 6:30 pm pick up
• The Boma – Dinner and Drum show
• $38 + $6 transportation

Tuesday, July 12

• 3:30 pm pick up
• Wildlife Cruise – Sunset cruise with open bar & snacks
• $40

Wednesday, July 13

• 6:00 pm pick up
• Rehearsal Dinner at the Lookout Cafe

Thursday, July 14

• 6:00 pm
• Braai/BBQ at Hwange Safari Lodge pool side

Friday, July 15

• Please be seated for the wedding by 2:30 pm

Saturday, July 16

• 6:00 pm pick up
• Bush Dinner
• $40

 Individual Activities

You can sign up for all other activities HERE. 

This list is through Batoka and three other companies, but you are more than welcome to use Wild Horizons, too, as they may have other activities Batoka does not.

Please read through the description of each activity to find pick-up times and prices.

These sign-up forms are to reserve your time slots only. You will pay for all activities upon arrival. Batoka accepts Visa and MasterCard, but other companies may require cash.

 Thursday, July 14 Transfer

Thursday will be the day our group transfers from Victoria Falls to Hwange Safari Lodge.

 The trip from Victoria Falls to Hwange takes about 2 hours. Shuttles will depart at:

• 9:30 am
• 3:00 pm

Depending on what time you choose to depart Victoria Falls, you could go on a game drive when you arrive in Hwange, or just relax by the pool and enjoy the views of the waterhole.