Tipping in Victoria falls

What is the amount of tips we need to give to the tour guide and driver

Money

by Kerstin Schneider
(Switzerland)

How is the current situation? I read the official rate is 2,50 rtgs per dollar...so can I still pay in US Dollars for fuel and food? What happens if paying per Creditcard?

How much cash is needed?

by Tracie
(Ohio USA)

We are doing a 3 night safari in Hwange with Vintage Camp and then spending 3 nights at Victoria Safari Lodge. We have been told Zimzbabwe is pretty much a cash only country. We have prepaid for the safari, VF lodging, VF tour/lunch, and VF sunset cruise. How much cash should we plan to bring per adult and what is acceptable tipping? Thank you.

Money exchange

by Kelly
(NZ)

Is there a way to exchange money at the Vic Falls gate? I will visit for the day from Zambia. I will pay my entrance by card but if I want to buy a souvinier I only have Kwacha.

Money matters

Do they accept US dollars to purchase visas

Paying by Mastercard credit card

Can I pay for the sunset and dinner cruise and other such activities using my Mastercard Credit card?

Credit cards in Victoria Falls

Hi
Visiting in September/October for 3 nights, what is the latest regarding credit cards?

bartering etiquette?

Is it still acceptable/encouraged to barter and/or trade items at the shops? If so, what are popular items to trade? (I live in California). Thank you.

Answer;

The shops don't really barter, they have set prices and it wouldn't be correct to try to negotiate prices with them, but at the markets and with the street vendors bargaining and bartering is the norm. Their prices will normally start quite high, because they expect you to negotiate. Popular items to trade are firstly shoes followed by any other form of clothing.

Hope that helps

Regards
Tony

Change in Vic falls

by Andrea
(Harare)

I'm currently writing an essay on the change of Victoria falls since 1998, and i would like to know where I can get statistics of tourism change, infrastructure change etc... thanks

Currency and small change

by Glenda
(Jhb, South Africa)

I've heard that if you pay for something in rands or US dollars, you get Zim dollars in change. Is this true?

VAT (Value Added Tax)

I've read conflicting information regarding the VAT (Value Added Tax) for both Victoria Falls and Livingstone on the Zambia side, can you help?

One sight I looked at says that no VAT taxes are added on the Zimbabwe side, if pre-paid before arrival, but is included if payment is made inside the country, and that VAT is paid in Zambia, irrespective. Another site says that in Zambia a 16% VAT is due
on accommodation and food, unless clients have a pre-booked package that includes activities to the value of 25% of the booking.

I wanted to book as few activities ahead of time as possible in order to leave myself more flexibility, but I'm not going to do that if I'm going to get taxed that much. Looking for clarity and advice. Thanks.

Cost of meals at victoria falls

Just wondering how many american dollars to take with us for meals for two people for two days?

Cheapest option to see the falls and go on a safari

I want to visit Victoria Falls and also see a safari over a couple of days time. What is the cheapest way to do this? Also, any suggestions for fairly priced accomodation?

Travellers Cheques

Will I be able to get US$ Cash in exchange for US$ Travellers Cheques. For example I will need US$ 20 to enter the rain forest but the smallest T/C I have is US$ 50.
Other items cost US$ 10 I am told (such as entry to the park aboard the river cruise boat.

Richard Horn
Fish Hoek
RSA

Cost of meals in Zim

Hi
Thank you for this web site. Most informative. We have booked on a special to THe Kingdom Hotel and see that they have a Panorottis and Spur.

Please could you advise what the average cost of a meal would be from these types of establishments.

Do they charge in Zim dollars or are the menus charged at US Dollars?

Many thanks
Gill Plant
South Africa

Forms of Payment in The Falls

by Kelly
(Gweru)

Hi

Please could you advise me, as a local citizen, whether I am able to pay for accommodation at either Shearwater Village or Lokuthula Lodges with RTGS prices? For example, bond cash/ecocash/bank transfer?

Many thanks,

Kelly Reed

US$ or Zimbabwe bond notes

Please advise in view of the new restrictions on foreign exchange, does the border post at Kasangula/Zimbabwe still accept $us

Zimbabwean resident prices

What ID does one need to qualify for Zimbabwean resident prices? Would an old driver's licence from 1981 be sufficient?