In most countries Automatic teller machines (ATM) are situated in every mall and outside most banks in towns and cities, operating 24 hours a day. Always advise your bank of our intention of travelling outside of the country so that your purchases are not blocked while abroad. All major international credit cards such as MasterCard, American Express, and Visa are widely accepted. You may purchase fuel with a credit card, pay road tolls with MasterCard or Visa. In some small towns and smaller shops, you may find you will need to use cash. Hence you will also need cash for tips.

Look out for the nearest Bureau De Change for all forex to local money. Research on the currency type of your intended destination and the exchange rates. Ideally, Botswana uses the Pula, Namibia uses the Namibian Dollar, Zambia equals to Kwacha however the Zimbabwean currency situation is quite hectic. The country has now adopted a multi-currency scheme using US Dollars and South African Rand. Zimbabwe is essentially a cash-only society as ATMs are less functional. We therefore recommend bringing enough cash to cover your stay in Zimbabwe (in either USD or ZAR) especially in the smaller denominations. 

VISA PEREMITS

BOSTWANA:

Citizens of most European and Common-wealth countries do not require a visa for entry into Botswana. Visitors should check with Botswana embassies or consulates, or their travel agents, before departure. It is vital for visitors to carry a valid passport and sufficient funds to facilitate their stay. Note: For countries with whom Botswana has no diplomatic representation, visa information and processing are available through British Embassies and High Commissions.

NAMIBIA:

All visitors require a passport for entry into Namibia, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay in the county and have sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps. All visitors must also have a valid return ticket. Visas are valid up to three months from the date of issue for stays of up to three months from date of entry. Extensions for a further three months are available from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.

ZAMBIA:

If one is not a citizen of a country that is exempted from having to apply for a Zambia visa, then one must obtain a visa either at the port of entry or online through the Department of Immigration’s e-Services website. Visit the Embassy of Zambia’s website or the Department of Immigration’s website for information on all types of visas and their costs, as well as the most current visa information. Passports must be valid for at least six months upon arrival and have at least three blank pages upon each entry. Travelers transiting other countries to Zambia, particularly South Africa, should refer to their Country Information pages for additional blank page requirements. You must carry the original or a certified copy of your passport and immigration permit at all times. Certified copies must be obtained from the office that issued the permit. If your passport is lost or stolen, visit the Zambian Department of Immigration to obtain a replacement entry permit at no cost before attempting to depart the country.

ZIMBABWE;

You need a passport, visa, return ticket, and adequate funds to cover your intended stay to enter Zimbabwe. If you are traveling to Zimbabwe for tourism, business, or transit, you may obtain a visa at the airports or other border ports-of-entry. There is currently no option of getting a Zimbabwean tourist visa in advance through the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington. If you are planning to arrive to Zimbabwein Zimbabwe via South Africa, please ensure that you have at least 6 blank pages in your passport. South Africa requires two clean, consecutive pages for each transit through South Africa. You will need two pages to transit South Africa in each direction, and two pages to enter Zimbabwe. South African officials take this requirement very seriously and will turn you around if you do not have sufficient pages.