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Home> Zimbabwe>Facts |  |
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| Zimbabwe: Facts | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Climate Winter The country lies within the tropics, so winters (May to September) are pleasantly temperate and similar to Mediterranean springs. The days are warm and sunny and the nights clear and cool. Very low temperatures and frost can occur overnight. Minimal rain is received over winter months which are the best for wildlife viewing, as animals tend to stay close to waterholes and pans. Temperatures range around 23C or 72F. Summer Summer spans the months of October – April and is marked by electrical storms usually in the afternoons, preceded by humid build-ups in the mornings. Thunderstorms are a true spectacle to watch. Viewing wildlife can be more difficult as the bush is thick and the animals scattered. Temperatures rarely exceed 30C or 86F, except in the lowveld and Zambezi Valley/Victoria Falls areas which can be hotter and more humid. Best time to visit The dry winter months to benefit from the best wildlife viewing and excellent weather. June is a good month to travel as it is out of South African school holidays (middle of April and May and mid-July to mid-September). TOP Customs and Immigration Customs Visitors may import US$2000 in non-trade items, excluding personal effects. Persons over 18 years may also bring in 5 litres of alcohol and 400 cigarettes. Firearms must be declared. Immigration Officials may want to see an onward air ticket – a ticket out of a neighbouring country will usually suffice. Cash or credit cards are not usually asked to be seen. Immigration forms ask for your address while in Zimbabwe - you should give the address of your hotel or lodge if not staying with friends or relatives. TOP Money Currency: the local currency is Zimbabwean dollars, Z$1 = 100 cents. See current exchange rates. Credit Cards Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diner's Club are accepted by most accommodation establishments and others catering for tourists. If drawing cash on credit cards, you are generally limited to receiving Zimbabwe dollars only. There are numerous ATM outlets in all cities and towns. Banks There are quite a number of established and new banks in Zimbabwe including Barclays, Standard Bank and Stanbic Bank who all host ATM machines. All types of travellers cheques in US$ or UK pounds are exchangeable at any bank as well as cash in any major international currencies. Due to prevalent counterfeits in circulation, restrictions may be made on US$100 bills. Bank hours are 8.30 am – 3.00 pm Monday to Saturday, except Wednesdays when banks close at 1.00 pm and Saturdays at 11.30 am. Changing Money Money may also be changed at airports, cities and towns from a number of bureaux de changes. Exchange rates may vary widely due to the huge current gap between the official exchange rate and the 'parallel' or black-market rate. Avoid dealing with money changers on the streets – such transactions are illegal and may often be scams. TOP |
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