What You Should Know

What You Should Know

Optics

It’s advisable to equip all rifles with a high-quality scope. For dangerous game, a 1-4x scope will suffice. For other types of game, a scope with a minimum range of 3-9x is necessary. If you’re hunting cats, a scope with larger optics is crucial, as you’ll likely be dealing with low-light conditions at dawn and dusk.

Firearms

In Zimbabwe, shooting distances typically range between 60 and 200 meters. Given the dense brush, a slower, heavier bullet is preferable to minimize deflection. Rifles chambered in calibers such as .264, .30-06, .308, .300 Win Mag, and 7×57 are well-suited for plains game and leopard. For larger game like elephant, buffalo, eland, and giraffe, the .375, .416, and 9.3×62 are ideal choices. It’s recommended to bring around 80 to 100 rounds of ammunition per rifle, ensuring that the ammo is appropriate for the specific game being hunted. For more details, visit the Safaris page.

By law, the following minimum calibers are required:

  • Hippo, Buffalo, Elephant – .375
  • Lion, Giraffe – .338
  • Leopard, Plains game – 7mm, .264 Win Mag, or larger
Clothing

For hunting, wear dark khaki or green clothing. If you’re traveling during the winter months (April to September), be sure to bring warm jackets. Three sets of hunting clothes should be sufficient, as each camp provides daily laundry services. Pack one set of travel clothes for your flight.

You’ll need at least one pair of sturdy walking shoes and another pair of comfortable shoes for around camp. Avoid bringing new shoes that haven’t been broken in, as they may cause blisters from the extensive walking.

Please note that military camouflage is illegal in Zimbabwe. Sporting camouflage is permitted, but Sitka-style camo could be questioned by an uninformed official, so it’s best not to take any chances.

Liability

While we prioritize the safety and well-being of our clients, we cannot be held liable for any loss, accidents, or illnesses, nor for any costs arising from such incidents.

Medical Insurance

African Dream Safaris will arrange medical insurance through MARS for the duration of your safari, and the cost is included in your package. This coverage ensures transportation to the nearest medical facility. We also recommend securing additional insurance with Global Rescue.

Here’s a reworded version of the weather description:

Weather

Zimbabwe is located south of the equator, so its seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere—when it’s winter in New York, it’s summer in Zimbabwe. However, the seasons here are not extreme. Due to the elevation, which averages 3,000 feet (915 meters), temperatures rarely exceed 90°F (33°C) or drop below 45°F (7°C).

During our winter months, it’s cool enough to require layered clothing, but by 10 a.m., you’ll likely be comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts.

The best time to visit depends on balancing comfort with optimal game viewing. The weather is most pleasant just after the rainy season, from April to July, but the grass is taller, and animals are more spread out. By September through November, the thinning vegetation makes it easier to spot animals, and they gather around waterholes, making hunting more rewarding—though it can be very hot. July through September is probably the ideal time to visit. The rainy season starts in late November or early December and lasts through March, but it’s still a decent time to visit as most of the rain falls in the early morning or at night.

Here’s a reworded version of the weather description:

Malaria & Vaccination Information

Northern Zimbabwe is classified as a malaria zone, so it’s advisable to consult your doctor about taking anti-malaria prophylactics. Begin your treatment at least two weeks before your departure to Zimbabwe, and be sure to pack enough mosquito repellent for your entire trip. Some people experience adverse reactions to Lariam, so it’s important to discuss options with your doctor.

Zimbabwe is not a Yellow Fever area and is Ebola-free.

For more detailed information on vaccinations in Zimbabwe, visit www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/africa/zimbabwe.php.

Things You Will Need
  • A good camera, compact in size, with enough memory for your entire trip. Don’t forget the charging kit.
  • A video camera if necessary, along with sufficient memory and a charging kit.
  • A plug converter/adaptor—Zimbabwe uses 220 volts with “British” style plugs.
  • A flashlight with spare batteries.
  • A headlamp with spare batteries.
  • Light binoculars are recommended, with 8×32 being sufficient.
  • A hat and sunscreen.
  • Toiletries.
  • A small first aid kit.
  • Dark sunglasses.
  • A Leatherman or similar multi-tool for any quick fixes on your rifle.
  • A pocket knife (remember to pack it in your checked luggage).
  • Spare cash for gratuities.
  • If you have preferences for imported cigarettes, cigars, or alcohol, bring enough with you, as these may be hard to find locally. It’s advisable to bring two bottles of your preferred hard liquor.
  • Cell phone reception in the hunting areas is sporadic, so consider arranging roaming if you need to stay connected.
Visas

Visa requirements vary by country. To find detailed information and make the necessary visa arrangements, please visit the following link: www.evisa.gov.zw. Visas can be obtained online through this website.

Visa Categories

Category A (Countries whose nationals do not require visas):
Nationals from the following countries do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe: Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Congo (DRC), Cyprus, Fiji, Grenada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Leeward Islands, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Western Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Category B (Countries whose nationals are granted visas at the port of entry upon payment of the requisite visa fees):
Nationals from these countries can obtain a visa upon arrival in Zimbabwe: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Britain (UK), Brunei, Canada, Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana*, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Palau Islands, State of Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico (USA), Seychelles, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uruguay, Vatican, Virgin Islands (USA). *Ghanaians are granted gratis visas.

Category C (Countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain visas prior to traveling):
Nationals from the following countries must apply for and obtain a visa before traveling to Zimbabwe: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros Islands, Congo Brazzaville, Congo (DRC), Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Djibouti Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French West Indies, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Gibraltar, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Guinea (Conakry), Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea (DPRK), Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macau, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, Niger, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Réunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, American Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé & Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa**, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia. **South Africans receive gratis visas at the port of entry due to a bilateral agreement.

For more information and to apply for a visa, visit www.evisa.gov.zw.

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+263 77 396 2174 – Chantelle

Location

11 Forrest Hill Farm, Gwanda, Zimbabwe