Zimbabwe and Botswana:Spirit of the Falls and the Safaris

This journey begins at victoria falls. On the first day, we meet at 17:00.

Your Coordinator will add you to the WhatsApp group for your trip about 15 days before departure.
 It’s a great way to start getting to know your travel mates, receive more details about the first day’s meeting point, and ask any pre-departure questions you might have.

This journey ends at victoria falls. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer.

For this itinerary, traveling with a backpack is mandatory for logistical reasons and the convenience of the entire group - including yourself! Trolleys, bulky suitcases, or hard luggage are not allowed. The Travel Coordinator will provide guidance on the ideal baggage before departure via the WhatsApp group.

Tipping in Zimbabwe is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, leaving a tip of around 10 percent is a nice gesture if you are happy with the service. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is common. Hotel staff, such as porters and housekeeping, usually receive a small tip for their services. It's always a good idea to carry some small local currency for tipping purposes. Keep in mind that wages in the service industry can be low, so your tips can make a significant difference to the staff.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas in Zimbabwe, especially Visa and Mastercard. However, we suggest you also carry some cash for smaller vendors and remote areas where card payments might not be possible. Mobile money services like EcoCash are popular, and you might find them convenient for day-to-day transactions. It's a good idea to check with your bank about international fees for card transactions before you travel. Always be cautious when using ATMs and opt for those located in secure places.

In Zimbabwe, the standard voltage is 240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. The plugs used are type D and G. Type D has three round pins in a triangular pattern, and type G is the one with three rectangular pins, commonly used in the UK. If your devices use a different plug type, bring a universal adapter to make sure you can charge your gadgets without any issues.

In Zimbabwe, the main language spoken is Shona, followed by Ndebele and English. English is widely used in business and education, so you'll be able to get by with it. Here are some useful Shona expressions you might hear or want to use:

- Hello: Mhoro
- Thank you: Ndatenda
- Please: Ndapota
- Yes: Ehe
- No: Kwete

These phrases can help you connect with locals and make your stay more enjoyable.

When packing for Zimbabwe, it's important to consider the climate and activities you plan to do. Here’s a handy list to help you prepare your backpack:

Clothing:
- Lightweight shirts and t-shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
- Shorts and comfortable pants
- A jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
- A raincoat or poncho if visiting during the rainy season

Shoes:
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Hiking boots if planning outdoor adventures

Accessories and Technology:
- Sunglasses and a hat for sun protection
- A camera or smartphone with a charger
- Universal power adapter
- Travel guidebook or map

Toiletries and Medication:
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Personal hygiene items like toothbrush and toothpaste
- Basic first-aid kit
- Common travel medication like pain relievers and antihistamines

With this list, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy your time in Zimbabwe!

In Zimbabwe, internet access can be a bit challenging. Wi-Fi availability is mostly found in major cities, hotels, and cafes, but it can be slow or unreliable. We suggest you buy a local SIM card or an e-SIM data plan for better connectivity. Some popular providers are Econet, NetOne, and Telecel. These SIM cards are available at airports, shops, or kiosks in urban areas. Make sure your phone is unlocked to use a local SIM card.

The main religion in Zimbabwe is Christianity, which is practiced by the majority of the population. However, traditional African religious beliefs are also widely observed, often blended with Christian practices. While there are no specific dressing requirements tied to religion, it's respectful to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Important religious holidays include Christmas and Easter, which are widely celebrated across the country.

Zimbabwe is in the Central Africa Time Zone, which is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2). Zimbabwe does not observe daylight saving time. 

• If it is 12pm in the UK, it will be 2pm in Zimbabwe.
• If it is 12pm Eastern Time in the USA, it will be 7pm in Zimbabwe. 

Keep this in mind when planning your activities or contacting people in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's weather varies depending on the region, so here's a quick guide:

• Northern and Central Zimbabwe: Summers (November to March) are warm and wet, while winters (May to August) are dry and mild. Best time to visit is during the dry season from May to October.
• Eastern Highlands: Cooler and wetter than the rest of the country, with rain from November to March and cool temperatures year-round.
• Southern Zimbabwe: Hot and dry, especially from September to March. Rainfall is minimal, making it warm even in winter.

Overall, the best time to visit Zimbabwe is during the dry season from May to October when wildlife viewing is at its peak.

The currency used in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL). Currently, the exchange rates are approximately 1 GBP = 466 ZWL, 1 USD = 365 ZWL, and 1 EUR = 415 ZWL. You can exchange currency at banks, foreign exchange bureaus, and some hotels in major cities like Harare and Bulawayo.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

An "Available" departure means that the trip isn’t confirmed yet and we’re waiting for a few more travellers to sign up… which could be you!

If you book the trip please wait for it to be confirmed before booking your international flights.

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator. 
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group. 
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure.
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen.
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip. 
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip.
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip. 
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator.
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled. 

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation up to 31 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.

If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. 

How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at [email protected] or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. Click 'Ask the Coordinator' and follow the link here. 

Our groups usually consist of 8–12 travellers, with a minimum of 3–4 and a maximum of 15. 
Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to travelers between 25 and 49 years old. The indicated age is meant to give you an idea of the type of group, but it's not a strict limit: it's possible to participate even with a few years more or less, as long as you can keep up with the pace and energy of the group you're traveling with.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Coordinator will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email [email protected] if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.