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Travelling to Zimbabwe and FCO Advice

Despite everything that you might read in the paper, the whole of Zimbabwe is not one big blood bath.  True the country is suffering and the economy is in tatters and politically who knows where it is going. But this has been going on for over 10 years and the FCO has advised on numerous occasions around elections not to visit the country.

Last week the FCO changed their advice and have now said the following:

We advise against all but essential travel to Zimbabwe at this time due to the continuing tension surrounding the election and the deployment of uniformed forces (police and military) and war veterans across the country.  In the absence of officially confirmed results of the Presidential election there continues to be a high level of political tension and uncertainty. The current situation is unpredictable, volatile and could deteriorate quickly, without warning.

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We do take this advice seriously and as such we have to put in Contingency trips avoiding Zimbabwe. These are all listed below. However, it is important to point out at this time that the town and enclave of Victoria Falls has not experienced any major violence or political problems throughout the ongoing turmoil. The town is an enclave of stability boasted by its privileged position as one of Southern Africa’s leading tourist destinations. This is helped by the fact that it is a border town with Zambia. Therefore for anyone flying to Vic Falls airport, we can arrange a secure meet and greet and transfer to and from Zambia and Vic Falls airport. This will include assistance in crossing the Zimbabwe / Zambian border.

Dragoman’s Policy on Current Travel to Zimbabwe

Dragoman must take heed of the FCO advice and so we are amending the trips that cross Zimbabwe.  These are:

• Wildlife, Beaches and Delta, code XVC, 5 weeks Vic Falls to Cape Town. (Full details see below)
• The Safari Experience, code TSV, 22 nights Nairobi to Vic Falls. 
  (Full details see below)
• The Namibia & Botswana  Family Adventure, code FNB, Vic Falls to Windhoek.  (Full details see below)

In addition any trip starting or finishing in Vic Falls will now start or finish in Livingstone, Zambia.  This is the nearest town to Victoria Falls on the Zambian side of the frontier.

 

What Does This Mean To Those Already Booked?

Trips starting and Finishing in Vic Falls, but not travelling across Zimbabwe:

The majority of our trips do not cross Zimbabwe but do start or finish in Vic Falls. As explained above Vic Falls has experienced virtually no problems over the past years or so, but in accordance with FCO advice we will change the start and finish point to Livingstone in Zambia If you wish to change your flights to start/finish in Livingstone, please contact Dragoman Overland or your travel agent immediately. Please note that because Victoria Falls airport has remained open most airlines will charge to make any changes. Alternatively, if you are unable or do not want to alter your flight, then we can arrange a secure transfer from/to Victoria Falls Airport to the border post with Zambia. This will be organised by Shearwater, a local tour operator based in Victoria Falls, who we have worked with for years. You will be escorted across the border and then transferred to the joining point in Zambia, which will be the Zambezi Waterfront Resort. This transfer is USD20 per person which will be payable locally to the driver. Please note that for anyone flying into/out of Vic Falls you will need to obtain a transit visa for Zimbabwe, which is USD35 per person. Please make sure that you advice the immigration officer that you only require a transit visa. You will also need a visa for Zambia, which is USD135.

Please contact Dragoman if you would like a meet and greet and escort. Please note: you MUST check that your travel insurance will be valid for this brief transit of Zimbabwe. If you are not covered, we have arranged with our insurers to issue you a 4 day additional policy which will cover you for the transit.

 

Wildlife, Beaches and Delta, code XVC, 5 weeks Vic Falls to Cape Town

Trips will start / finish in Livingstone as described above.

Week 1: Zambia, Botswana and Namibia: The first 3 nights will be at Livingstone and the Falls.  From Livingstone the trip crosses to Botswana and Chobe National Park where it will spend two nights.  Then it travels as per the usual itinerary to Ngepi Camp on the Kavango River

Week 2: Botswana:  Then as per itinerary we head south into the Okavango Delta for 2 nights and then onto the Makgadikgadi Pans and south to Francistown.

Week 3 : South Africa & Mozambique:  We now head into South Africa and through to Kruger National Park.. We will spend 3 nights at this or one of South Africa’s other great national parks before crossing the border and travelling north up the Indian Ocean coast to the beaches and reefs at Morrungulo and Vilankulo.  At the latter there is time for trips out to the Bazarato Archipelago.

Week 4:  Mozambique, Swaziland & Kwazulu Natal : Returning down the coast to the capital of Mozambique we cross into Swaziland to visit Mliliwane National Park and then onto Kwazulu Natal, to the battlefields of the Zulu War.  We now cross into Lesotho.

Week 5:  Lesotho & South Africa’s Garden Route:  The itinerary now follows the brochured itinerary through Lesotho and the Garden Route and onto Cape Town.

 

The Safari Experience, code TSV, 22 nights Nairobi to Vic Falls. 

Trips will start / finish in Livingstone as described above.

Nights 1 - 15: Kenya, Tanzania & Malawi: The itinerary will run as planned.

Nights 16:  Malawi:  Instead of heading to Blantyre in southern Malawi we will travel to the capital, Lilongwe.

Nights 17 - 18:  Zambia: We will now head to Zambia’s best wildlife park, the South Luangwa National Park. 

Nights 19-22:  Zambia:  Crossing Zambia we stop at the capital Lusaka and then to Livingstone and the magnificent spectacle of Victoria Falls.

 

The Namibia & Botswana  Family Adventure, code FNB, Vic Falls to Windhoek.

Trips will start / finish in Livingstone as described above

Nights 1 - 2: Zambia: The first 2 nights will be at Livingstone near Victoria Falls.  We will be staying at the Zambezi Waterfront campsite, which is situated on the banks of the Zambezi, just opposite Siloka Island and has a clear view of the spray from the Falls. The Zambezi Waterfront Resort is family friendly and caters for all ages. It is designed for travellers who wish to experience the mighty Zambezi River, the wonder of the Victoria Falls and the many activities on offer in the area without great expense - it's ideal for the adventurous and young at heart. The resort has excellent facilities including a central dining complex with stunning views both up and down river, reception desk and merchandising shop. A raised wooden deck stretches out over the river with a unique plunge pool, an open bar and restaurant.

Nights 3 – 18:  Namibia & Botswana: - From Livingstone the trip crosses to Botswana and then runs exactly the same itinerary as in the brochure and on the website.

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