Money matters and other things....

Okay well thankfully, unlike the chap in the picture, Zimbabwe now uses the US dollar. Seeing that they still in economic recovery, all the shops in Zimbabwe will willing accept Rand or Pula quite happily. 

So while it might make things a little easier to bring USD, bringing along rand is more than fine as well. I only ever take a few hundred dollars ($250-300) just in case there is a shop owner who forget the exchange rate and makes up his own.  The exchange rate it R9 = $1 

The main grocery shop is called "TM" and they are like your Pick n' Pay or Checkers here at home. 

They are usually very well stocked and have pretty much all the foods and products that we get here in SA. They are quite a trustworthy shop in terms of you paying in Rand or Pula. 

Also there's some good news for those you prefer to shop at a more familiar place. Candz told me that Bulawayo has just got a new Fruit & Veg city up there and she says that they are quite reasonable. I will try find out the exact address for those of you who want to know. 

Unfortunately, there are no card machines or facilities for you to pay be Card in Bulawayo, unless you have a Zim bank account. So cash, while not the safest, is the most advisable to carry. Travellers checks are also an option but again its NOT an absolute must have. If you are going to Victoria Falls then they have card facilities and accept international cards due to them having to be geared for all tourist. 

Another thing that people have been asking me is about the petrol situation. 

Petrol is about a rand or so more expensive in Zimbabwe and they only have your basic - petrol (LRP & Unleaded) and diesel! Unfortunately, there's no variety in terms of the grades of petrol (95 or 93) or diesel. 

So PLEASE PLEASE ask them exactly what fuel they are putting in before they start anything, I hate for them to put LRP into a car that takes unleaded. I'm also just taking a jerri can although Zim petrol stations are quite reliable nowadays, so if you dont have a jerri then you still be 100% fine. I would however suggest that you fill up in Bots before hitting Zim. Just as a matter of interest, there is a filling station and bureau de change as soon as you cross the SA-Bots border. 

Also when you get to the borders, if you unsure about where to go or what to do there's security at most entry points to the gates and the buildings so ask them, they usually more than willing to let you know where and what to do. For more on border details in terms of the papers you have to fill out there, check out the second blog post. 

Another travel tip, please ensure that everyone is wearing a seat belt when you approach roadblocks and tolls, even the passengers in the back of the car. Also please be aware of random pedestrians and animals on the road, as well the odd donkey kart. Please as mention in a previous post, keep your TIP (Temporary Import Permit) at hand, they will ask for it. 

Thats all for now folks! 13 and a half days until the wedding now....... yeah! :)