Situation in Zimbabwe

Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe writing on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

Hi Koos,

I have been to Vic Falls in August 2003.
At the border I had to pay 20 Euro's (163,325 SA Rands, import tax?) for my
Landrover (South African plates) and I can not remember paying anything
else.
Remember that as far as I know taking extra jerrycans is not allowed without
a permit...
I went in From Kasane in the north so it was only 80 k's to Vic Falls.

Gr. Hans
www.come-along.nl

"Afrika Safaris - Koos Greeff" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe writing
on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via
Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 17:21:51 +0100, "Suzanne Melis"
wrote:

Hi Koos,

I have been to Vic Falls in August 2003.
At the border I had to pay 20 Euro's (163,325 SA Rands, import tax?) for my
Landrover (South African plates) and I can not remember paying anything
else.
Remember that as far as I know taking extra jerrycans is not allowed without
a permit...
I went in From Kasane in the north so it was only 80 k's to Vic Falls.

Gr. Hans


The money you had to pay for the vehicle was probably the "Carbon Tax"
that is levvied on all vehicles travelling on Zimbabwe roads. It has
something to do with combatting greenhouse gasses or pollution or some
such thing, but will probably never be used for its intended purpose.

You are officially not really allowed to carry spare fuel, but they
turn a blind eye to one or two jerry cans.

Personally, I'd prefer to go from Botswana into Zambia at kazangula
Ferry, and then to Livingstone. The falls are nicer on the Zambian
side, I find Zambians far friendlier, and I wouldn't want to support
Mugabe's regime any more than I have to.

Just my two cents...

Marc - Johannesburg


www.come-along.nl

"Afrika Safaris - Koos Greeff" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe writing
on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via
Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

"Marc Lurie" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 17:21:51 +0100, "Suzanne Melis"
wrote:

Snip
Personally, I'd prefer to go from Botswana into Zambia at kazangula
Ferry, and then to Livingstone. The falls are nicer on the Zambian
side, I find Zambians far friendlier, and I wouldn't want to support
Mugabe's regime any more than I have to.
I agree totally with your sentiments about the Mugabe regime and the people
but personally I still prefer the Zimbabwian veiw off the falls. Such a
shame that
such a lovely country has been totally wrecked by a dictator, but that's
Africa.
Richard also in Jo'burg.
Just my two cents...

Marc - Johannesburg


www.come-along.nl

"Afrika Safaris - Koos Greeff" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe
writing
on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would
like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via
Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you
guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to
Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

"Afrika Safaris - Koos Greeff" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe writing on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

Koos,

Just two weeks ago I spoke to an ex-Zimbabwean friend who regularly returns
there to visit family and friends. Let me rephrase: "regularly returnED there ....".

Which ever way you choose to visit Vic Falls, make sure the Zim stretch of the
trip will get you there and back on the contents of your vehicles fuel tank (no
jerry cans).
a) You can't rely on an official "closing a blind eye" to a jerry can as one other
reader here suggested.
b) If anything, there just is NO fuel - taxes or not.

Further, I agree with not supporting asshole rigimes but the people living thereunder
are hardly to blame. The Zim side of the Falls is nicer and ultimately you'd only be
supporting the locals. Oh, also don't forget the USD50 per person just to walk
around the falls. That's probably waaay cheaper from the Zambian side, so it's a
tough call to make on your behalf.

Good luck and have a safe trip
Jona

I paid 20 US$ pp to visit the Falls in Zimbabwe...



"jona" schreef in bericht
...

"Afrika Safaris - Koos Greeff" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe
writing on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would
like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via
Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

Koos,

Just two weeks ago I spoke to an ex-Zimbabwean friend who regularly
returns
there to visit family and friends. Let me rephrase: "regularly returnED
there ....".

Which ever way you choose to visit Vic Falls, make sure the Zim stretch of
the
trip will get you there and back on the contents of your vehicles fuel
tank (no
jerry cans).
a) You can't rely on an official "closing a blind eye" to a jerry can as
one other
reader here suggested.
b) If anything, there just is NO fuel - taxes or not.

Further, I agree with not supporting asshole rigimes but the people living
thereunder
are hardly to blame. The Zim side of the Falls is nicer and ultimately
you'd only be
supporting the locals. Oh, also don't forget the USD50 per person just to
walk
around the falls. That's probably waaay cheaper from the Zambian side, so
it's a
tough call to make on your behalf.

Good luck and have a safe trip
Jona

"Hans Schoelink" wrote in message
...
I paid 20 US$ pp to visit the Falls in Zimbabwe...

Ja, but how long ago was that ?





"jona" schreef in bericht
...

"Afrika Safaris - Koos Greeff" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Some time ago we had somebody from the Vic Falls area in Zimbabwe
writing on
this group. Are you still around? Anybody else can also help. I would
like
to visit Vic Falls during August driving up from Johannesburg via
Botswana.
My idea was to enter at Mpandamatenga and go straight to Vic Falls. I
believe you must no pay "fuel tax". Is this true and is there any other
troubles to be expected? (I have been to Zimbabwe before) Would you guys
feel it is not worth the effort to trouble and rather go to Livingstone?

I would appreciate reactions especially from those who has been to Zim
recently.

Greetings
Koos

Koos,

Just two weeks ago I spoke to an ex-Zimbabwean friend who regularly
returns
there to visit family and friends. Let me rephrase: "regularly returnED
there ....".

Which ever way you choose to visit Vic Falls, make sure the Zim stretch of
the
trip will get you there and back on the contents of your vehicles fuel
tank (no
jerry cans).
a) You can't rely on an official "closing a blind eye" to a jerry can as
one other
reader here suggested.
b) If anything, there just is NO fuel - taxes or not.

Further, I agree with not supporting asshole rigimes but the people living
thereunder
are hardly to blame. The Zim side of the Falls is nicer and ultimately
you'd only be
supporting the locals. Oh, also don't forget the USD50 per person just to
walk
around the falls. That's probably waaay cheaper from the Zambian side, so
it's a
tough call to make on your behalf.

Good luck and have a safe trip
Jona

Jona wrote:
Ja, but how long ago was that ?

That was August 2003!

Hans.
www.come-along.nl