From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Zimbabwe Consular Information Sheet 06/07/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 15:46:53 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2240 Path: world!bzs Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199906081549.KAA80300@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 185 Zimbabwe - Consular Information Sheet June 7, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Facilities for tourism are available. The capital city is Harare. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport, return ticket, and adequate funds are required. American citizens traveling to Zimbabwe for tourism, business and transit (if leaving the airport in Harare) are required to pay visa entry fees at the point of entry. There is also an airport departure tax, payable in U.S. dollars, for all Americans who are not residents of Zimbabwe. Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of Zimbabwe, 1608 New Hampshire, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone (202) 332-7100. Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Zimbabwean Embassy or consulate. Upon arrival in Zimbabwe, travelers should keep all travel documents readily available, as well as a list of residences or hotels where they will be staying while in Zimbabwe. SAFETY/SECURITY: Land mines along the Mozambique border, which is outside the main tourist areas, make travel to that border area potentially hazardous. U.S. citizens should avoid political rallies and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. CRIME INFORMATION: Muggings, rape, purse snatching, car thefts, and credit card fraud are on the increase and as Americans and other foreigners are perceived as being wealthy, these groups are frequently being targeted. Thieves often operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and tourist areas. It may be prudent to take the preventive measure of leaving all valuables such as passport, money, jewelry and credit cards in the hotel safe when not being used. Do not carry large sums of money or multiple credit cards while shopping. Make and carry a photocopy of the biographic page of the passport for purposes of identification. Thieves have stolen possessions from automobiles and public transport vehicles stopped in traffic. Car doors should be locked and windows rolled up at all times. The loss or theft of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities outside Harare are limited. Some medicine is in short supply. MEDICAL INSURANCE: Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure 3Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,2 available via its home page at http://travel.state.gov and automated fax service at (202) 647-3000. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (877-394- 8747), fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. ROAD SAFETY/AUTOMOBILE TRAVEL: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Zimbabwe is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good The main roads in Zimbabwe are generally well-maintained. Service stations are available along main roads. Intercity bus travel, except by 3luxury coaches,2 can be dangerous due to overloading, inadequate maintenance, and careless drivers. Extreme caution should be exercised if driving at night because of poorly lit roads, pedestrians and animals on roads, plus vehicles without lights. In the event of a flat tire, travelers should drive to a service station or a residential area. Travelers who suspect that their vehicles are being followed should drive to the nearest police station. For specific information concerning Zimbabwean driver9s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Zimbabwe National Tourist Office in New York on (212) 332-1090. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Zimbabwe9s Civil Aviation Authority as Category 3 -- not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Zimbabwe9s air carrier operations. Flights to the U.S. by Zimbabwean air carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have the flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) does not permit its personnel to use air carriers from Category 3 countries for official business. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. FIREARMS AND PENALTIES: U.S. citizens who are bringing weapons and ammunition into Zimbabwe for purposes of hunting should contact the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, DC (see entry requirements section for address and telephone) to inquire what permits are required to do so. Some Americans traveling in Zimbabwe have come under added scrutiny from immigration and police officials in the wake of the March 1999 arrest of three American citizens at Harare International Airport, allegedly in possession of undeclared assault weapons. Travelers are advised to make sure that all of the necessary documentation is in order before departing the United States. The weapons also must be cleared through U.S. Customs to ensure their expeditious re-entry. CURRENCY REGULATIONS: Travelers to Zimbabwe are usually required to pay for all lodging with credit cards or internationally convertible currency such as U.S. Dollars or British Pounds. Zimbabwe currency, even if obtained by exchanging foreign cash or travelers checks in Zimbabwe, may not be accepted for payment of hotel bills. PHOTOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS: Zimbabwean authorities are extremely sensitive about photographing certain locations and buildings, including government offices, airports, military installations, official residences and embassies. Prior written permission must be obtained from the appropriate government office. CRIME PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country9s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Zimbabwean law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Zimbabwe are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. The Embassy does not always receive timely notification of the arrest of American citizens by the Zimbabwe Republic police. However, if arrested, American citizens should always ask to be allowed to contact the American Embassy. During regular work hours 9:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and on Friday from 9:00 to 12:30 p.m., the telephone number (263-4) 794-521. After hours, the Embassy duty officer is at (263-4) 794-522 or 794-523. OTHER INFORMATION: Travelers on nature and rafting outings in Zimbabwe should be aware that even with an organized tour group, safety standards are not as strict as in the United States. Tourists are often allowed to participate in activities which may pose great risks to personal safety. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for updates on Y2K issues at http://travel.state.gov/Y2Kca.html. CHILDREN9S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children9s_issues.html or telephone (202) 736- 7000. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Harare at 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Zimbabwe. The mailing address is P.O. Box 3340, Harare, telephone (263-4) 794-521, fax (263-4) 796-488. ***** This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 24, 1999, to add new information on Firearms Penalties, and to update Entry Requirements, Information on Crime and Other Information.