Air travel
Victoria Falls has direct flights from Harare (Zimbabwe) and Johannesburg (South Africa). Both Harare and Johannesburg have direct flights from Europe. However, Johannesburg has more direct flights from the USA, Asia and several parts of Africa. Airlines that serve Victoria Falls are Air Zimbabwe; South African Airways, and Air Botswana.
The ICOMOS 14th General Assembly is taking place during a busy part of the year for Zimbabwe, participants are therefore encouraged to book their flights as early as possible.
Visas
Participants requiring a visa to travel to Zimbabwe must obtain this document before leaving their country through
the Zimbabwe Consulate in their country. All visitors require valid passports.
Visitors from the following countries may not need a visa: Nationals from Commonwealth countries (except UK ); Nationals from the European Union (except UK), Japan, Norway, and the USA. Nationals from South Africa can obtain a visa at the point of entry. All other nationals need a visa. These can be obtained from any Zimbabwe Embassy or Consulate, or from The Chief Immigration Officer, Private Bag 7717, Causeway Harare.
We advise you in all cases to check well in advance whether you need a visa and to allow enough time for its processing. Should you require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact ICOMOS Zimbabwe.
Pre-arranged Shuttle bus to and from Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls airport is located 25km (20 minutes) from the town centre. ICOMOS Zimbabwe has organised a shuttle service to and from Victoria Falls Airport at US$ 16 return. Should you wish to use this service please sign up for it on the registration form.
Some of the hotels may offer shuttle services - please check with the hotel of your choice.
Taxi Services
The taxi service in Victoria Falls is safe and reasonably priced (with metered cab fares). If you choose to take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, make sure you take a taxi with a meter and not any car offered to you. The fare is between US$ 20 - US$ 30 one-way. Taxis can be easily found outside the passenger exits at the airport. Remember that you must pay the fare using the legal currency in Zimbabwe, which is the Zimbabwean Dollar.
Optional post-assembly tours around Zimbabwe and
to surrounding countries
ICOMOS Zimbabwe post-assembly professional tours
Following the General Assembly, and depending on sufficient interest, ICOMOS Zimbabwe is seriously considering organising cultural tours, accompanied by ICOMOS Zimbabwe specialists, of the Matobos Hills area (a potential World Heritage Site - near Bulawayo City) and Great Zimbabwe (a World Heritage Site - near Masvingo).
Interested delegates should quickly contact ICOMOS Zimbabwe to obtain the details and the cost of such a tour.
ICOMOS South Africa post-assembly professional tours
For delegates interested in visiting neighbouring South Africa, the South African National Committee of ICOMOS is willing to help you with information.
Depending on the number of delegates interested, special tours can be arranged for delegates who wish to have an extended tour of Robben Island, South Africa's first World Heritage site. It may be possible to arrange overnight accommodation on the Island but numbers will be strictly limited.
Other options available could include two sites on the tentative list for South Africa, Table Mountain (the Cape Floristic Kingdom) and the Cape Winelands and cultural landscape.
One of the richest repositories of Rock Art in the country is situated in the Cederberg Mountain range and visits to this beautiful part of the world can be arranged. These would include a visit to Wupperthal, a Moravian Mission Station and national heritage site situated deep in the mountain range and virtually untouched by modern development.
Interested delegates should contact Laura Robinson, at ICOMOS South Africa on ctht@heritage.org.za.
To obtain information on flights, general tours and accommodation in Cape Town delegates are encouraged to contact
Natasha Spaans at Flight Centre, Tel: + 27 21 424 5341, Fax: + 27 21 423 3563 or
e-mail: Natasha_spans@flightcentre.co.za
Commercial post-assembly tours
To obtain information on tours around Zimbabwe or surrounding countries, delegates are encouraged to contact the travel
agent United Touring Company UTC (Pvt) Ltd (United House, 4 Park Street, P.O. Box 2914, Harare,
Zimbabwe, Tel: + 263 4 770623 34/38-9 & 749914, Fax: +263 4 770637/413-6,
e-mail : utczim@utc.co.zw, web site : www.unitedtouring.com/zimbabwe) or to liaise with the hotel of their choice in Victoria Falls.
Tours to the Surroundings of Victoria Falls
Delegates can book optional tours to the surroundings of Victoria Falls through their respective hotels. However, ICOMOS Zimbabwe encourages you to inform them of any tours you are interested in so that they can approach the different agents on your behalf to negotiate good rates for ICOMOS delegates.
When completing the registration form, please indicate if you wish to obtain further information from ICOMOS Zimbabwe
on any of the optional tours listed below :
A. Tour of Victoria Falls Town, including Art and Craft centres: explore all aspects of Victoria Falls.
B. Tour of the Gorges: come and witness the gorges that make the Zambezi river one of the most significant in Africa.
C. Game Drives: Victoria Falls Game Park, Hwange National Park, Chobe Game Park, Game drive and sunset cruise. Prices range from US$ 55 - US$ 180 depending on the park and distance.
D. Horse riding: ride in Victoria Falls for only US$ 40
E. Elephant Back Safaris: Life time chance of adventure riding and interacting with the majestic African Elephant for only US$ 90
F. Zambezi River Cruises: Sunset cruises, Breakfast Cruises, Lunch Cruises, Dinner cruises and many more. Prices range from US$ 20 - US$ 30 per cruise.
G. Zambia: see Victoria Falls from the Zambian side and visit the Livingstone Museum. Transfers can be arranged with agents for a reasonably fee.
H. Flights over the Mighty Falls: witness the ultimate view of Musi-Oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) from a 5000ft platform perched high above the spray of the falls with a bird's eye view of the Zambezi. Price US$ 55 -US$ 170 depending on time and other extras such as game views, transfers etc.
I. Bungee jumping: 111 metres off the Victoria Falls Bridge! Pure adrenaline rush, single and tandem jumps, abseil from the platform. Price around US$ 90 - contact: bridge@zamnet.zm
J. Shearwater Rafting : the greatest white-water rafting on the planet! Prices range from US$ 50 - US$ 115, email: overland@shearwater.co.zw
The fees charged for these activities usually cover tea and coffee, scones, beers, drinks and snacks depending on the time of the day and the duration of the activity.
General Assembly and Scientific Symposium venue
The ICOMOS 14th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium will be held at the Intercontinental Elephant Hills Resort. The hotel has state of the art conference and banqueting facilities, a business centre, restaurants, bars and sporting facilities. This location is easily reached by taxi from any point in the town centre.
An Information Office will be set up during the General Assembly and Scientific Symposium where participants can obtain information on transportation, restaurants, cafeterias, entertainment, museums, banks, hospitals, pharmacies, communications, sites of interest, computer and photocopying services, etc.
Most of the hotels in Victoria Falls have business centres with Internet cafes, facsimile, e-mail, photocopying and typing facilities. Competitive rates are charged for these services. In and around Victoria Falls town we also have Internet cafes. Public Telephone booths are available in Victoria Falls and charges are very economical.
Simultaneous Translation
Simultaneous translation into English and French will be provided for the sessions of the General Assembly and Scientific Symposium. Delegates are asked to indicate in the registration form their preferred language for the conference documentation.
Insurance
The organisers of the ICOMOS 14th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by participants as a result of illness, accidents, robbery or theft of personal belongings. Before leaving their country, participants should make sure they have cover for all risks through their own insurance companies.
Recommendations
Recommended clothing: Average temperatures in Victoria Falls usually range from 30 - 37ºC in October, and the weather is usually hot during the day and relatively cool during the evening hours. Therefore light clothing would be encouraged. The conference room has an air conditioner.
Currency Exchange : Currency exchange in Zimbabwe is a regulated activity. Official exchange offices for converting US dollars to Zimbabwean Dollars can be found at the airport, hotels and several banks in Victoria Falls. Changing foreign currency illegally is an offence which will lead to prosecution.
Health requirements: Hotel tap water in Victoria Falls is very safe to drink. It is advisable to take a course of anti-malaria tablets as a precaution as Victoria Falls is located in a low-lying area.
Public safety: Victoria Falls does not offer any special safety problems for walking along its streets except that sometimes you bump into elephants especially in the evening. But, like any other town, we advise you not to walk unaccompanied in solitary places, especially at night.
Electrical appliances: In main centres and main tourist resorts, all appliances run 220/230volts. Outlets are of the 3 square pin, 13 amp type.
VICTORIA FALLS - MOSI OA TUNYA HERE WE COME !
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