Skip to main content

​
Quick Reference Guide

A fast-lookup resource for hotel concierge, front desk staff, tour operators, and travel professionals. Find quick answers to common guest questions.
Bookmark this page for rapid guest assistance. Use Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac) to search.

​
Emergency Contacts

Emergency Numbers - Print This

ServiceNumberNotes
Police Emergency995National emergency
Medical Emergency994Ambulance services
Fire Brigade993Fire emergency
Tourist Police+263 242 703 432Tourist assistance
Major Hospital Emergency Rooms:
CityHospitalContact
HarareAvenues Clinic+263 242 251 171
HarareBorrowdale Trauma Centre+263 242 882 463
Victoria FallsVictoria Falls Surgery+263 83 284 4338
BulawayoMater Dei Hospital+263 29 232 111
Full emergency directory

​
Distance & Travel Times

​
From Victoria Falls

DestinationDistanceDrive TimeFlight
Hwange (Main Camp)180km2-2.5 hrs-
Livingstone, Zambia11km30 min + border-
Kasane, Botswana70km1.5 hrs + border-
Bulawayo440km5-6 hrsCharter
Harare880km10-12 hrs1.5 hrs

​
From Harare

DestinationDistanceDrive TimeFlight
Bulawayo440km5-6 hrs1 hr
Victoria Falls880km10-12 hrs1.5 hrs
Mutare265km3-4 hrs-
Nyanga270km3.5-4 hrs-
Masvingo/Great Zimbabwe290km3.5-4 hrs-
Lake Kariba365km4-5 hrs1 hr
Mana Pools380km5-6 hrsCharter
Chinhoyi Caves120km1.5-2 hrs-

​
From Bulawayo

DestinationDistanceDrive Time
Matobo Hills35km45 min
Victoria Falls440km5-6 hrs
Hwange (Main Camp)280km3.5-4 hrs
Harare440km5-6 hrs

​
Quick Activity Recommendations

​
Victoria Falls Activities

Must-Do

  • Victoria Falls Rainforest Walk - 2-3 hrs, $30-50
  • Sunset Cruise - 2 hrs, $55-75
  • Helicopter Flight - 15-25 min, $170-300

Adventure

  • White Water Rafting - Full day, $150-180
  • Bungee Jump - 111m, $160
  • Zip Line - $60-80
  • Devil’s Pool (Sep-Dec) - $100-150

Wildlife

  • Zambezi National Park - Half day, $80-120
  • Chobe Day Trip (Botswana) - Full day, $180-250
  • Lion Walk - 2 hrs, $150
  • Elephant Interaction - $100-150

Cultural

  • Village Tour - 2-3 hrs, $40-60
  • Boma Dinner - Evening, $65
  • Craft Markets - Free browsing

​
Safari Quick Guide

ParkBest ForTime NeededSeason
HwangeElephants, Big 52-3 nights minYear-round (best Jul-Oct)
Mana PoolsWalking safaris, wild dogs3-4 nightsMay-October only
Matobo HillsRhinos, rock art1-2 nightsYear-round
GonarezhouRemote wilderness3-4 nightsMay-October
MatusadonaLake Kariba wildlife2-3 nightsYear-round

​
Restaurant Quick Picks

​
Victoria Falls

RestaurantCuisinePriceGood For
The BomaAfrican buffet$$$Cultural experience
Livingstone RoomFine dining$$$$Special occasion
The Lookout CafeInternational$$Views, casual
Three MonkeysInternational$$Family-friendly
Dusty RoadPub food$Budget, local vibe

​
Harare

RestaurantCuisinePriceGood For
La Fontaine (Meikles)French$$$$Business dining
FishmongerJapanese/Seafood$$$Quality seafood
AmanziAfrican fusion$$$Zimbabwean cuisine
Victoria 22Contemporary$$$Modern African
Gava’sTraditional$$Local experience

​
Bulawayo

RestaurantCuisinePriceGood For
CattlemanSteakhouse$$Quality meat
Indaba Book CafeLight meals$Casual, WiFi
Bulawayo ClubInternational$$$Historic setting
Price Guide: =Under= Under15 | $$ = 15-30 | $$$ = 30-60 | $$$$ = $60+

​
Taxi & Transfer Contacts

​
Victoria Falls

ServiceContactNotes
Wild Horizons Transfers+263 83 284 4571Hotel-Hwange, airport
Shearwater Transfers+263 83 284 4471Activities, airport
Safari Par Excellence+263 83 284 4424Transfers, tours

​
Harare

ServiceContactNotes
Vaya Africa (App)Download appRide-hailing
Meikles Hotel Taxis+263 24 225 2720Reliable
Executive Cars+263 77 230 0000Corporate

​
Typical Taxi Fares

RouteExpected Fare
Harare Airport - City$25-35
Victoria Falls Airport - Town$25-35
Harare City - Northern Suburbs$8-15
Victoria Falls Town - Falls$5-10

​
Visa Quick Reference

Most Common Nationalities:
CountryVisa Required?FeeMethod
USAYes$55On arrival
UKYes$55On arrival
CanadaYes$55On arrival
AustraliaYes$55On arrival
GermanyYes$30On arrival
FranceYes$30On arrival
South AfricaNoFree-
BotswanaNoFree-
KAZA UniVisa: $50 - Valid for Zimbabwe AND Zambia (30 days, multiple entry)Requirements:
  • Passport valid 6+ months
  • Return/onward ticket
  • Cash in USD for visa fee

​
Currency & Payments

Accepted Payment Methods:
MethodVictoria FallsHarareSafari Lodges
USD CashYes (preferred)YesYes
Visa CardMost placesMost placesMost
MastercardMost placesMost placesMost
AmexLimitedLimitedSome
ZiG (Local)SomeYesNo
ATM Locations:
  • Victoria Falls: Standard Chartered (town center), FBC Bank
  • Harare: CBD, Sam Levy’s Village, shopping malls
  • Bulawayo: CBD, Main Street
Important: ATMs may run out of cash or have limits. Always have USD backup.

​
Weather Quick Guide

​
Monthly Overview

MonthWeatherBest For
Jan-MarHot, wet, stormsGreen season, birds, Victoria Falls
Apr-MayCooling, dry startsVictoria Falls peak, comfortable
Jun-AugCool, drySafari (cold mornings!)
Sep-OctHot, dryBest wildlife viewing
Nov-DecHot, rains startShoulder season deals

​
What to Tell Guests

Safari Guests (Jun-Aug): “Pack warm layers for early morning game drives - temperatures can drop to 5-10°C. Afternoons are pleasant.” Victoria Falls Guests (Apr-May): “The falls are at their most spectacular. Bring waterproof gear for the spray - you will get wet!” Victoria Falls Guests (Sep-Dec): “Lower water allows better views and Devil’s Pool access. Activities like rafting at their best.”

​
Common Guest Questions

Yes, Victoria Falls town is very safe for tourists during the day. At night, stick to main roads and use taxis between venues. The tourist police patrol regularly.
Yes! The Zimbabwe side has the majority (70%) of views, but Zambia offers different perspectives. Day trips to Zambia are easy - just walk across the bridge. Need passport and may need visa.
Popular activities (helicopter flights, rafting) should be booked 1-2 days ahead in high season (Jul-Oct). Same-day booking often possible in low season.
Morning (before 10am) has best lighting for photos and fewer crowds. Afternoon can have rainbow in the spray. Full moon nights offer “lunar rainbow” experience (special tours available).
Yes, but reliability varies. Standard Chartered and FBC Bank ATMs are most reliable for international cards. Always advise guests to have USD cash backup.
Guidelines: 10−20perpersonperdayforguide,10-20 per person per day for guide, 5-10 per person per day for lodge staff. Tips in USD cash, given directly or in staff tip box.
Yes! Options:
  • KAZA UniVisa ($50): Allows multiple crossings for 30 days
  • Day Visa: Single entry to other country
  • Walk across Victoria Falls Bridge (10 min crossing)
No - always recommend bottled water. All hotels provide bottled water. Use bottled water for brushing teeth in rural areas.

​
Key Booking Contacts

​
Activity Operators

OperatorActivitiesContact
Wild HorizonsRafting, cruises, safari+263 83 284 4571
Shearwater AdventuresAll Victoria Falls activities+263 83 284 4471
Safari Par ExcellenceSafaris, transfers+263 83 284 4424
Zambezi HelicopterScenic flights+263 83 284 4428

​
Safari Operators

OperatorSpecialtyContact
African Bush CampsLuxury camps+263 24 288 0000
Wilderness SafarisPremium safaris+263 24 288 2842
Imvelo Safari LodgesHwange specialist+263 83 284 4567

​
Useful Apps

AppPurpose
Vaya AfricaRide-hailing (Harare)
XE CurrencyExchange rates
Maps.meOffline maps
WhatsAppCommunication (widely used)

​
Airline Contacts

AirlineContactRoutes
Fastjet+263 86 770 00 737Harare-Victoria Falls, domestic
Ethiopian Airlines+263 24 275 4011International
Kenya Airways+263 24 275 3061Nairobi connections
Airlink+27 11 451 7300Johannesburg connections
Download & Print: This page is designed for quick reference. Consider printing key sections for your front desk or saving as a PDF bookmark for mobile access.
For full emergency contacts, see Emergency Directory Last updated: January 2025