Other Ways of Getting Around Zimbabwe
Car Rental | Vehicle Hire
Available at airports and main hotels. Documentation: International Driving Permit or national licence (for up to 90 days); if not in English it must be accompanied by a certificate of authority or translation of text
Car hire in Zimbabwe is available but expensive - best suited for exploring the east and south-east of the country. A deposit of USD2,000 in cash is usually required
Road transfers between Livingstone, Chobe, Hwange and Binga are easy to arrange
Motor Vehicles
Private motor vehicles, caravans and trailers may be brought temporarily into Zimbabwe, provided they are licenced in their home countries and bear appropriate registration plate and nationality plaque. If the car is leased from the bank obtain clearance at least 3 days prior to departure
When hiring a vehicle from outside Zimbabwe make sure that Insurance Coverage is possible
The International Certificate of Motor vehicles is recognised in Zimbabwe
Vehicles must be insured against third party risks arising in Zimbabwe, short-term policies are obtainable at border posts
When entering Zimbabwe by (hired) car a ‘temporary import permit’ will be issued at the border.
Third Party Insurance
A Third Party insurance covering Zimbabwe needs to be obtained at the boarder if no valid COMESA yellow insurance card has been provided by the car hire firm
Driving in Zimbabwe
International driving permits and valid driving licences issued in Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland are valid in Zimbabwe. A visitor from any other country may, for 90 days or more (depending on the country of issue), use a valid driving licence, issued by the competent authority in that country. If not printed in English, it should have a printed certificate of authority and validity, or a transcription of the text with the bearer's photograph attached
Rules of the road:
In Zimbabwe drive on the left hand side of the road and give way to traffic approaching on the road to your right at uncontrolled intersections.
At controlled intersections, motorists are required to yield to pedestrians crossing on a green light.
At all intersections, a fire engine, ambulance or police vehicle sounding a siren takes precedence over all other traffic; move out of its course.
The general speed limit in Zimbabwe is 120 km/h on open roads and 60km/h in urban areas, but watch for signs.
Victoria Falls and Kariba are connected by a very poor dirt road - The alternative is to drive on the Zambian side (8 hours, potholed tar for 50 kms just outside Livingstone) |
