Overland Zimbabwe Travel

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Visiting Zimbabwe

Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.

Entering Template:ZIMBABWE with a Car or Motorbike

March 2019: (date last confirmed correct)

Required Paperwork

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Zimbabwe, application instructions and fees see: Zimbabwe Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
1. Vehicle registration book, known locally as a log book

 2. Police clearance for the vehicle issued in the country of vehicle's registration

Process at border

1. Avoid touts

 2. Proceed to immigration, purchase a visa if needed, $50 single entry, $70 double entry valid for six months. Visas expire in 30 days, but can be extended
 3. Proceed to customs to obtain Temporary Import Permit, known as TIP
 4. Proceed to 2nd customs' desk (usually outside) with proof of payment. You may be searched, but staff are generally friendly
 5. Proceed to police clearance with registration book and gate pass. Gate pass must be stamped by immigration and customs.
 6. Exit gate with gate pass

Cost of entry

$45 carbon tax and third party insurance - mandatory

Permitted length of stay

30 Days, can be extended in 30-day tranches at any Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) office

Extension of stay

Go to Zimra. You'll have to pay a further $45 for each extension.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Vehicle cannot be stored without express permission and paperwork issued by Zimra.
Owner/driver cannot leave country while vehicle is in storage without Zimra's authority.

Exiting with a vehicle

Exit is generally quick

 1. Proceed to immigration, obtain passport stamp and gate pass
 2. Proceed to customs, return your TIP, get gate pass stamped
 3. Proceed to police desk with gate pass and registration book
 4. That's it. .

Driving in Zimbabwe

Recommended books for Overlanding in Zimbabwe

Lonely Planet Zimbabwe
Lonely Planet Zimbabwe
by Tione Chinula, Vincent Talbot
From $31.59 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Zimbabwe Handbook: Travel Guide To Zimbabwe (footprint...
Zimbabwe Handbook: Travel Guide To Zimbabwe (footprint...
by Lizzie Williams
From $11.20 on Amazon

Travel insurance for Template:ZIMBABWE

Template:Compulsory 3rd party insurance is sold for $45/30 days at all borders. No other insurance is required.

Vehicle insurance requirements

COMESA or “Yellow card” insurance is required. Whatever insurance you have, you will be required to buy compulsory 3rd Party Insurance. It costs $45 and is valid for 30 days.

Cost of vehicle insurance

See the prices listed on the COMESA Insurance page.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance

3rd party insurance is sold at all borders and is compulsory. Additional insurance can be purchased in most large towns.

Driving license

All drivers' licenses are valid for six months.

Driving side of road

Left.
Left hand-drive vehicles can be driven in Template:ZIMBABWE. A Left Hand Drive or LHD sticker must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle in reflective red.

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. Safety triangles x 2, fire extinguisher, Temporary Import Permit (TIP), drivers' license, vehicle registration, passport.) The vehicle must display red beehive reflecters 3cm x 3cm on the rear of the vehicle on each corner and white beehive reflectors of the same dimension on the front corners It is illegal to have spot lights higher than the level of headlights. A trailer must display a reflective T on the rear.

Roads

General Road quality

Mostly poor except the Plumtree to Mutare highway. Driving is erratic and animals are commonly on the highway. Driving at night is risky, but if you must, sit behind a big Freightliner rig and let him clear the way.

Road signs

Road signs are mainly adequate, though some are faded.

Toll roads

Tolls are found on main highways and cost $2..

Bribery in Zimbabwe

It's common, but don't be scammed. Instead insist on going to a police station, even if it means a delay. Otherwise never pay more than $20. All police wear uniforms and police do not travel in unmarked cars. If a policeman in an unmarked car attempts to stop you... don't stop.

Checkpoints

Checkpoints, known as road blocks, are quite common but much less corrupt than in previous years. Be polite and they'll be polite. If they're not polite, ask for a senior officer. You may have to pay spurious fines, but limit yourself to $20 unless there's a receipt involved. .

Traveling with pets

Pets require government documents from the veterinary country you exited before entering Zimbabwe.

Gas price in Template:ZIMBABWE and Diesel price in Template:ZIMBABWE

Last updated: (last updated date)

Currency and unit to display:

Modify the table below as required.

NOTE: IF PAYING BY CASH, GASOLINE IS ABOUT $1.50/liter, DIESEL ABOUT $1.40/l - PRICE BELOW REFLECT CARD PAYMENTS.
Gasoline Grade Price
Regular (87) $0.00 USD per Gallon (US)
Super (88) $0.00 USD per Gallon (US)
Premium (90) $0.00 USD per Gallon (US)
Ultra (95) $3.40 USD per Gallon (US)
Diesel $3.00 USD per Gallon (US)

Link to external websites with price & quality information, if available.

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

There are frequent shortages, bring fuel in if possible.
When available, stations are usually about 100km/60m apart.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Fuel from genuine fuel stations is generally fine.
Diesel mainly 50 ppm.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

Vehicle parking

Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Zimbabwe

Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe 1:800,000 Travel Map, Waterproof, Gps Compati...
Zimbabwe 1:800,000 Travel Map, Waterproof, Gps Compati...
by Reise Knowhow
From $12.95 on Amazon
History Of Zimbabwe For Kids: A History Series - Child...
History Of Zimbabwe For Kids: A History Series - Child...
by Baby Professor
From $9.42 on Amazon
1. Botswana & Zimbabwe Travel Reference Map 1:1,5m/1:1...
1. Botswana & Zimbabwe Travel Reference Map 1:1,5m/1:1...
by International Travel maps
From $10.36 on Amazon
Lonely Planet Zimbabwe, Botswana And Namibia Travel At...
Lonely Planet Zimbabwe, Botswana And Namibia Travel At...
by Deanna Swaney
From $7.02 on Amazon

GPS Maps of Zimbabwe

Tracks4Africa are the undisputed best GPS maps for Africa.
Tracks4Africa is an SD Card for Garmin GPS, and contain Routable turn-by-turn maps with 809,000 kms of roads and over 129,000 points of interest.

Gps Map Of Africa
Gps Map Of Africa
From $click on Amazon

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Zimbabwe

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Zimbabwe

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.


Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.