Overland Zimbabwe Travel
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Zimbabwe
- 2 Entering Zimbabwe with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Zimbabwe
- 4 Gas price in Zimbabwe and Diesel price in Zimbabwe
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Zimbabwe
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Zimbabwe
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
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 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
Travel insurance for Template:ZIMBABWE
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 Zimbabwe and Diesel price in Zimbabwe
Last updated: (last updated date)
Currency and unit to display:
Modify the table below as required.
| 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
Best not to drive at night. Street lighting in cities is poor to non-existent. In the country, pedestrians, wildlife and domestic animals clutter highways. Drunk driving is also common. If you must drive long distances at night, follow a large Freightliner truck and let him clear the road.
Vehicle parking
Parking at night in the city runs the risk of robbery, but is reasonably safe for a short period of time. There are municipal car parks, but they're no safer at night. Parking in the city requires a small payment to uniformed officials who issue tickets.
Special driving considerations
Wildlife, domestic animals and pedestrians must be watched for constantly - as well as reckless and drunk drivers, day or night.).
There are no areas unsafe due to security considerations, but be aware of scammers - by far the most common type of criminal. Don't drive with windows open in crowded parts of the city and be aware of smash-and-grab merchants. They're not common, but it does happen.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Zimbabwe - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Zimbabwe
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 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
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
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.
- Zimbabwe: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Zimbabwe - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Zimbabwe travel guides at wikivoyage
- Zimbabwe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
