Value for money travel tip – travel in May, June or early November where has secured unbelievable offers and game viewing is great. This is when you can beat the peak season rates and crowds.

MAY – MID NOVEMBER

July to October is the best time to visit Zimbabwe for wildlife as the vast parks dry up, roads leading to water become more accessible for animals and safari goers. Although high season, Zimbabwe parks (except at Victoria Falls) are never crowded.
June is a great time for safaris with incredible prices and fantastic game viewing with the bush opening up after the grass is flattened, lovely time for walking safaris as well.
June to early September is winter when it gets pretty cold in the parks with early morning and evening temperatures dropping below 10°C – bring winter clothing for the morning game drives but it becomes very pleasant as the day wears on.
May is shoulder season where rain has faded away. The bush is spectacular for wildlife and photography opportunities as the bush is still green and the contrasting colors are incredible. You should take advantage of unbelievable offers that are often available at this time.
It becomes uncomfortably hot towards October and November – between 30°C to 45°C prior to the rainy season.

MID NOVEMBER - MARCH

November to March are the summer months and the rainy season. The wet season is brilliant for bird watching
During the wet season from November to April, most seasonal camps in Mana Pools Zimbabwe close down.
Africa by Ayu loves the rates offered by our Zimbabwe travel partners during this ‘Low Season’.

VICTORIA FALLS SEASONS

Victoria Falls has its own seasons.
End of January – March is when the volume of water rises and aerial photography is great
April – May It is quite magnificent as the volume of water is at its peak

June, July and August – the falls are easier to view – although not as spectacular, when the water is much less but the mist does not block the view. White water rafting starts in August.

September to December – the water will be a mere trickle on the Zambian side and it’s better viewed from Zimbabwe. Great time to swim in the Devils Pool.

Africa by Ayu has only partnered with operators and lodges that carry a valid insurance for their operations and are accredited by the relevant licensing authorities in each African country.

*Note – that we do not divulge the names of the tour operators we partner with.

Each hotel, lodge or camp included into an Africa by Ayu itinerary will be selected for the value for money offering it brings to each itinerary, after discussions with our partners in each African destination and careful consideration of all available options for your travel dates.

Our team loves to curate Africa holidays and are happy to spend time to share our expertise with those clients who are keenly interested to book our curated itineraries, through us but we are compelled to bring in this policy as some guests attempt to obtain all information and then proceed to book on their own.

Names of all hotels, lodges and camps will only be divulged upon payment of a non-refundable deposit. This will be set off against the cost of the tour booked with Africa by Ayu. Subsequent to the above deposit, we will divulge the names of hotels. If you wish, you are certainly free to request amendments to the hotels/itinerary and we will be happy to further curate the entire itinerary and suggest alternative names of hotels, subject to availability – (except on scheduled group tours where the accommodation cannot be changed unless the entire group requests it).

Accommodation cannot be held unless an advance is paid on the due date.

Absolutely first class guiding. Vast, wild, untamed, uncrowded parks with adventurous walking safaris in big game country, canoeing and jeep drives. Nocturnal wildlife can be seen as afternoon safari drives continue onto the nights at private game reserves.

Since permanent electricity is not be available on mobile camping and in many remote bush camps and lodges, guests should always carry fully charged additional batteries on safari and have sufficient memory cards as they are difficult to purchase.

A typical day on safaris starts at the crack of dawn as this is the best time to view wildlife. You will then come back for a brunch/lunch and relax during the middle of the day. Most lodges will have a swimming pool, lounge, library. Bush Camps can be more rustic although its certainly not roughing out – think, comfy beds, soft linen, en-suites with hot water and great food. Please note each lodge may have different times for safaris.

Please check if you are eligible to apply for an e-visa prior to travelling to Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Immigration Web Site https://www.evisa.gov.zw It is advisable to have the correct amount of US dollars in cash available on entry to Zimbabwe to pay for the Visa.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of travel and should have three blank pages available. Multiple entry visas are required if you intend travelling to Zimbabwe’s neighboring countries and back – e.g., visiting Zambia or Botswana.

Africa by Ayu has connections to the rights camps and lodges in Zimbabwe which are great for multi generational family holidays but not with toddlers. Different camps have different child policies and a minimum age on walking safaris. Please enquire for specific details for your tour.

Note:

If you are traveling via Botswana and South Africa - You are required by law to travel with your children’s “Unabridged” Birth Certificate to enter Botswana and South Africa. If you are traveling without one parent, you will also require an affidavit from the absent parent giving permission for the child to enter the country. This must be dated no more than 3 months before the travel date

The official currency is the US dollar. However, often one can pay with South African Rand or Botswana Pula.

US dollars - dated after 2003 are accepted, but, high denomination notes may not be accepted.

Credit Cards are accepted in many places but may incur high charges and there maybe difficulties in processing credit cards at some bush camps. Visa and Mastercard are the easiest card to use in Zimbabwe, and American Express maybe less frequently accepted. It is always advisable to bring some US Dollar currency in small denominations.

Although ATM machines are available in towns and cities and distribute only US dollars. At time of writing this, the banks are not loading cash into ATM machines and as such cash is NOT available at ATM’s.

Although there are many official languages in Zimbabwe, everybody speaks English well.

Travel insurance will be required before the final payment for your tour as tour operators and camps require your insurance details. Please ensure that the insurance is comprehensive and covers any medical situations such as hospitalisation, emergency air-evacuation as well as cancellation, curtailment of arrangements and loss of baggage.

Most urban areas have good medical facilities but for serious medical treatment you may need to be evacuated to South Africa. If you do not have adequate cover you risk being turned away from the hospital.

Currently there are no specific requirements for visitors to have any inoculations prior to their arrival in Zimbabwe. However, a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever is required for any person entering Zimbabwe from, or via, a yellow fever infected area (please check latest WHO- World Health Organization current classification). In Sri Lanka, you can obtain the Yellow Fever vaccine at the MRI.

Zimbabwe is a malaria area and malaria prophylactics are recommended. Please consult your Doctor prior to travel.

Lodges provide mosquito nets. To avoid mosquito and insect bites, wear long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and socks when outside at night and use an insect repellent which contains at least 20-30% DEET. Although a medical kit is available at each lodge or safari operator, please bring all personal medications.

*Comprehensive travel and medical insurance must be taken by each traveller, prior to the final payment of your tour. For serious medical treatment you may need to be evacuated to South Africa. If you do not have adequate cover you risk being turned away from the hospital.

No one at Africa by Ayu is qualified to give medical advice and as such none of the above should be taken as authorized medical advice but are intended to be guidelines and general tips. Please consult your Doctor prior to travel and obtain accurate and up-to date independent medical advice.

Flights

Africa by Ayu arranges all domestic flights from the main Airport to the national parks and between camps. Fly-in safaris would be the most convenient for remote parks such as Mana Pools, Matusadona, Gonarezhou.

Baggage restrictions on flights

On internal aircraft transfers, strict baggage restrictions apply. Weight, size and style of bag is strictly enforced.
Each passenger is only allowed a 20Kg soft duffel bag (not in hard top cases or bags with wheels) inclusive of hand luggage.
Large suitcases and rigid, inflexible luggage with “pull along” handle frames and wheels and bags which have soft sides but have a solid or rigid “wheely” frame within the base of the bag are NOT ALLOWED.
Luggage dimensions should not exceed 25cm (10 inches) wide, 30cm (12 inches) high and 62cm (24 inches) long as anything bigger will not fit into the aircraft’s baggage compartment.

These restrictions are enforced for the security of guests as the weight balance is important on light aircraft.

Pilots on small aircrafts will refuse any luggage which does not fit within the luggage pods of the aircraft.

Any person weighing over 120 kg’s will have to pay for an extra seat. It is at the pilot’s discretion to ask you to be weighed before embarking on your flight.

As a general rule bottled mineral water is recommended. Drinking water in individual camps will be treated and purified – please speak with camp staff before drinking.

Please inform any allergies or dietary restrictions prior to confirming a tour.

Permanent electricity is not available on mobile walking safaris and in many remote bush camps and lodges. Solar or Generators are used for lighting (of tents and communal areas) and for refrigeration and are often switched off at night. Small electronic devices/cameras should be charged during the day but it may not be possible to use electric shavers and hairdryers

Electricity supply is 220V/240v. Wall sockets require 3 round pin or 3 square pin type plugs so it is recommended that you carry international travel adapters to be used in areas/camps where there is electricity.

Fully charged spare batteries should always be carried on safari and have sufficient memory cards for your images and videos – these are difficult to purchase here.

In most bush camps and remote lodges cellular phone coverage and internet connections will not be available. Some, will have limited Wi-Fi connection in main lounge areas.

For emergencies, all safari operators can connect with their main camp via a radio link or satellite phone connection.

* A 24 hour local point of contact will be provided to you for all emergencies.

* Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is not permitted on any flights

Tipping is entirely at your discretion and will be greatly appreciated by those who provide a good service.

A rough tipping guideline for Zimbabwe

Guides: US10 dollars per day per guest or per couple
General lodge staff: US10 dollars per day per guest or per couple (a tip box is usually available at all camps and lodges and this will be distributed among the staff)
Hotel/restaurant - a service charge is added to the bill but if the service has been great, then a tip not exceeding 10% of the bill is customary.

It is not customary to tip lodge managers

To wear on safari: Comfortable and casual clothing, that you can wash and wear in muted colours - khaki, green, beige
Since game drives are conducted early mornings and evenings – it can be quite cold, especially in winter and warms up during the day, so bring layers you can peel off or put on as needed as well as a jacket, gloves, scarf/beanie and hat.
For walking safaris and bushwalks - wear a good pair of closed shoes (hiking boots not required) and clothing must be neutral colours (beige, khaki, olive, stone). You must not wear dark or bright colours.
Blues and Blacks attract tsetse flies and are not recommended to be worn on safari
When relaxing at camps and lodges: casual clothing
For evenings: Long-sleeved shirts, trousers and shoes to avoid mosquito bites
When traveling during cold months: Jeans or safari trousers
A lightweight waterproof jacket/poncho in case of rain
Swimwear as some lodges and camps do have a pool
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, insect repellent, moisturiser and lip salve
Torch
Binoculars and camera equipment (with spare batteries and SD/Memory cards)
Most lodges inside the parks offer complimentary same-day laundry service. So you don’t need to bring too many clothes - please check on arrival.
Strict luggage restrictions (of 20 Kg per person including hand luggage) applies on all small flights

Zimbabwe attracts many tourists and is considered a safe country especially on an organized safari, as visitors on safari are shielded from public areas in cities where theft and crime can be more common like anywhere else in the world. The operators that Africa by Ayu partners with will always have your safety and security in mind throughout your tour. However, for all safari destinations and throughout the tour we offer, we recommend that you do not take any expensive jewelry, watches etc and ensure your bags can be locked.

Traveling or driving at night is not recommended.

Safaris may bring you up close in contact with wild animals and all instructions of your Guide should be strictly followed. However, you should take responsibility for your own safety. Some lodges or operators will require that you sign an indemnity form on your arrival.

* A 24 hour local point of contact will be provided to you for all emergencies.

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