Any info for Zimbabwe
 

Hello again everyone. Well the wandering is continuing and it looks as though Zimbabwe is the next destination.

So has anyone travelled there recently? I popped into the embassy here in Windhoek for some advice but as usual have more questions than answers. It seems that just going up to the border is the common approach. Anyone crossed recently? I will obviously be on the bike but I have heard of some people in cars paying a lot! I don't know if they were day visitors because of the falls or staying longer.

I just don't like gong somewhere blind, so any info or advice will as always be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Zed.

It's a few years since I was there so can't remember costs but everything was possible and easy at the border.

There was a 'pollution tax' to pay which varies depending on the size of engine in your vehicle, so that might be why you've heard that cars pay more.

I can't remember the name of the border crossing, but I crossed from Botswana near Kasane.

This is from our travels a couple of years ago, but hopefully gives you some pointers.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ous-info-61507

Some notes on Zim here:

AFRICA 4X4 FUNDI: Expert advice on Self Drive Overland Expeditions in East and Southern Africa.

And I found this from Linkie Groenewald, Truly Africa Tours, re: the border but going the other way:

If you are in Zimbabwe at Vic Falls and want to go to Katima Mullilo in Namibia you have to cross into Botswana at Kazungula. The border post brings you into Botswana at the lovely town of Kasane and is about 70 Km from Vic Falls. There are a number of great places to suite most budgets to stay in Kasane. I would highly recommend spending a night here if only to do the afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe river from Kasane , all lodges offer this, a real highlight.

The actual point where the four countries meet is in the middle of the river at the intersection Of the Chobe and Zambesi rivers and not really accesable ( a privatly prganised boat ride could get close to the exact point).

The border crossings are easy. For a sedan vehicle in your name you may be asked for the registration papers (always good to have these with you) .From Botswana to Namibia a drive about 60km through the Chobe National Park on a transit road (no park fees). Once through the park, you go to immigration to get exit stamps for Botswana, Mostly they do not ask for vehicle details on departure. On entering Namibia you have to provide vehicle . VIN no as well as engine no. and some other details. Entering Botswana you pay approx 200 Pula also payable in Rand, about R230. This is for road charges and insurance. To enter Namibia is about R180 for your cross border charge permit.

Katimo Mullilo is about 80km from the border. You may have to buy your Cross Borders Charges "permit" in Katima if it is not available at the border, check with customs at the border.

About 90 Km west from Katima Mullilo is a small town Pongola, there are great lodges to stay in this area on the border of the old Caprivi National Park (now Bwabata nat park). The Kwando River offers excellent game viewing and boat cruises in a "wild" "unspoilt" area. Try Mazambala Island Lodge, Camp Kwando, or Namushasha.

For me the crossing was easy (coming from Zambia/Lusaka in 2014). All formalities can be sorted out at the border. There are a few fees to pay (visa, tax, insurance if you dont have Comesa, etc) so it's a bit more expensive than the southern countries, but the process is easy. People in Zim are also very friendly even though the infrastructure has seen better days.

Any info for Zimbabwe
 

I travelled around in a car in Aug 2014, inc border crossing in out of Botswana - as a UK citizen I needed a dual entry visa, vehicle docs etc but all simple. Police road blocks are a constant pain in the arse - record was 4 within 5 kms! Make sure you know what you legally need to carry - they will (repeatedly) check! Also have lots of small change for the $2 tolls on the roads. Otherwise all good - loved our trip!


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Two of us did a trip from SA to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, back into Zim, back into Botswana, Namibia, back into Botswana and then home. That was April 2014. I'm South African, my brother in law had a British passport. Everything was done at the border posts. The only small problem was in Zimbabwe at the Zim/Mozart border post...police asked for police clearance certificates for the bikes, which we didn't have! Took a bit of haggling and we were through. No other problems anywhere.