zimbabwe

area
population
capital
head of state
official language
currency
exchange rate

(source: lonely planet)

390,310 sq km
11.9 million
harare
robert mugabe
english
zimbabwe dollar
check out oanda.com
for current exchange rates

this information comes from a visit to the country in july 2003. at that time things were changing rapidly and may soon be outdated!.these are my personal impressions and it's well possible that other travellers will not share my views.

at the border: 30 usd for swiss cityzen for a 30-day visa (rates may vary according to nationality)

getting in and out

from francistown, botswana: allow at least an hour for formalities.
- visas have to be paid in hard currency at the counter.
- you don't need a carnet de passage, they issue a TIP (temporary import permit free of charge)
- there is a carbon tax for your vehicle: 40 for motorbikes / 90 for a car per month
- you have to get a zimbabwean insurance policy (they don't accept zim-dollars) it was 50 pula for a month on a 800cc motorbike

to livingstone, zambia: swift and easy

places to stay

bulawayo:

- if you don't mind staying a few km out of the town centre go to the amazing hitch-heaven. it's run by three retired englishmen. don't be misled by the word 'retired', it's quite the opposite of an elderlyhome!!! dorm rooms cost 1 usd / day private bungalows 2 usd. the place is an old farmhouse with set in a huge compound. there is a locked gate, so your vehicle is secure. great fun!

- in the town centre go to packpackers rest, 1 oak street. from the station go up the main road until you hit 12. avenue, turn left until the t-junction, it's just on your right.

other

fuel: there is a shortage of fuel and most pump-stations are mere decoration. you can get fuel on the black market, however. in july 2003 20 liter of petrol cost between 30'000 and 45'000 zim-dollars. try to get it through someone you know to ensure quality.

cash: the inflation has led to a shortage of cash and it can be difficult to change cash at a good rate. try to change through friends. don't change on the street, you might find a lot of blank papers between the stacks of bills.

credit cards: never use a credit card in zimbabwe! you'll be charged the dreadful official exchange rate which, at the time of writing, costs you 250% the price...

politics: don't talk politics with people you don't know, you might be talking to an official, or worse, to a phony policeman who will try to get money out of you. don't take photographs of queues and situations that might be embarrasing to the government.