Zim Travel 2010 - News

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OOOOMS
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Zim Travel 2010 - News

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2010 FEVER
The trouble with going away is that people get up to all sorts of things while you're gone. Sally and I returned from our month in Australia to the news that our Parks Authority has been gripped with '2010 fever', got dollar-signs in the eyes and on the brain, and imposed huge price hikes for their accommodation and other fees. As an example: a single campsite at Nyamepi - the main Mana site - is now priced at US$100 per night. It used to be US$10 per person. There's also a one-off entry fee of US$20 per person on top of this, and a one-off vehicle entry fee of US$5. So it now costs US$125 just to set foot in the place. There is some talk of reducing these fees after the World Cup, but we'll believe it when we see it.
There has been a storm of protest from the public and from many tour operators, who now have to rejig all their pricing and drop the bad news on their clients. So far, though, the PWMA response has been, simply: 'we need the money'.
We have some sympathy with this view, as we are only to well aware of the financial problems faced by the Parks Authority. Wilderness and wildlife are costly to maintain. But there are early indications - in the form of a spate of cancellations - that the price increases may be highly counter-productive and result in a net drop in income for the Authority. We suspect they'll regret it, when bookings evaporate like the dawn mists on the Zambezi, but by then it'll be too late.
The current price instabilities mean that ZIM4x4 can no longer quote all-inclusive prices. Instead, we are separating our charges into an accompaniment fee (which we can hold steady), with current camping, accommodation, Park entry fees &c as extras at cost. But we have to make the proviso that other accommodation facilities may be tempted to follow suit. We hope not, because it's often difficult enough to get people to visit Zimbabwe at all, in view of our torrid recent history, let alone get ripped off in the process. But 2010 fever does seem to be highly infectious. We'll keep you posted, by 'news flashes' if necessary.....

This is not the end of the saga as Robbie Becker from the website
http://www.luangwablondes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
then posted the following to the Overland Forum:


Quote:
Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Authority has issued a new schedule of fees for the period May to December 2010 which will affect wildlife- based tourism operations in Kariba and the Zambezi valley this year.
Here is a summary of the new changes:

1. Camping: From May 2010, all National Parks campsites will be charged per site and not per person.
2. Park Accommodation and Entry Rates: The three-tier system of charging (whereby International visitors are charged more than Regional visitors who are charged more than Zimbabwe Local Residents), will be phased out this year so that by January 2011, there will be only two rates: Non-resident and Resident. However, the three tier system will continue to apply to Park entry fees.
3. Bookings: Reservations for Parks facilities will, from March 2010, be opened one year in advance to all clients, including Zimbabwe residents (who were previously restricted to booking only 3 months in advance). There will be no more "draw" system for Mana Pools and bookings will be treated on a first come first serve basis, with payment being demanded up front.

KARIBA/ZAMBEZI VALLEY PARK AREAS
PARK ENTRY FEES MAY-DEC 2010
(Fees in US$ quoted at 3 levels as follows: International; Regional (SADC); Local Residents.
Mana Pools: US$20; US$15; US$5
Matusadona: US$15; US$12; US$4
Charara, Kariba: US$10; US$8; US$2
Chinhoyi Caves: US$10; US$8; US$2
Chewore: US$10; US$8; US$2
Chizarira: US$10; US$8; US$2
Doma: US$10; US$8; US$1
Sapi: US$10; US$8; US$1
Binga: US$10; US$8; US$1
Dande: US$10; US$8; US$1
NOTE:
All charges include 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) and 2% tourism levy where applicable.
Operators' employees involved in illegal activities shall be liable to an individual fine of 10% of any fine charged to the operator or owner of equipment.
Clients who enter into Parks Estate without paying entry/river usage fees shall be charged double the normal fees prescribed in this gazette.

1. Day rates for non-tour operator clients cover single entry into a Park. Visitors who exit before the day expires will be required to pay for re-entry on the same day.
2. Tour operator clients will be allowed re-entry on production of copies of pre-submitted lists and identification details relating to entering clients 3. Two employees of a tour operator are entitled free access per entry.
4. Tour Operators in Mana Pools will be allowed 5 staff free on camping only.
5. Persons resident in Zimbabwe shall be charged the equivalent of the fees charged for Non-residents unless they produce positive identification of their Zimbabwean residence.
6. Visitors accommodated in Parks facilities and those entering and continuously staying on a water body shall pay a single day entry/ River Usage fees to cover up to 7 days.
7. Children-
(a) ALL children who are between 6 and 12 years old, shall pay half the adult fees
(b) ALL children under 6 years old, free.
(c) Children not resident in Zimbabwe and are between 6 and 12 years old, shall pay half the appropriate adult fee
(d) Children not resident in Zimbabwe and are between 6 and 12 years old and are clients of tour operators, shall pay half the appropriate adult fee
(e) School children on school trips/ tours shall pay 50% of the adult entry and river usage fees 8. Regional Fees are applicable to Residents from SADC countries i.e.
South Africa, Botswana, Seychelles, D.R.C, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Angola, Namibia, Tanzania, Mauritius. Proof of Residence from these countries in the form of a Passport or I.D should be produced and clients from the SADC countries should pay 75% of what is paid by other International clients only on entry fees.
9. Operators and licence holders who fail to renew their permits/ licenses annually will be charged double the renewal fees upon renewal of their permits/ licenses, in addition to a penalty fine.

VEHICLE ENTRY FEES MAY-DEC 2010
Cars/Pick-ups/4x4s: Non-Resident US$5; Resident US$2
Trailers: Non-Resident US$5; Resident US$1
Caravans: Non-Resident US$5; Resident US$2
NOTE: Motor cycles are not allowed in the Parks Estate

ACCOMMODATION FEES MAY-DEC 2010
(Fees in US$ quoted at 3 levels as follows: International; Regional (SADC); Local Residents)

Mana Pools:
Special Lodge 2 bedrooms 8 beds: US$250; US$ 250; US$ 190
Standard Lodge 2 bedrooms 4 beds: US$125; US$125; US$95
Standard Lodge-4 Beds(Nyati): US$190; US$190; US$145
Standard Campsite per site: US$100; US$100; US$75
Exclusive Campsites/site: US$150; US$150; US$115
Chitake Exclusive Camps/site: US$200; US$200; US$150

Matusadona:
Exclusive Lodge 9 beds: US$150; US$115; US$75
Exclusive Campsites/site: US$150; US$115; US$75
Standard Campsite /site: US$100; US$75; US$50

Charara, Kariba:
Lodge 3 bedrooms 6 beds: US$110; US$85; US$55
Campsites /site: US$50; US$40; US$25

Chinhoyi:
Developed Campsites /site: US$50; US$40; US$25
Picnic (per site max 6 pp): US$50; US$40; US$25

Chizarira:
Bush Camp /site: US$100; US$75; US$50
Platform /site: US$100; US$75; US$50

Chewore North:
Camping/site: US$100; US$75; US$50

All Park Stations:
Hiring Extra Bed per night: US$25; US$20; US$15

NOTES:
1. These fees are for overnight stay in the facilities, all other activities and services are to be paid for as in the gazette.
Provided that where firewood is the only means of cooking there shall not be further charges for firewood used.
2. Guests who make bookings and occupy Parks accommodation for seven consecutive nights are entitled to one free night within the continuous period.
3. Accommodation fees are inclusive of 2% tourism levy and VAT where applicable.
4. Tour Operators will be given a discount between 10-25 % if they channel business to Parks accommodation.
5. Camping and picnic fees are charged per site unless otherwise specified. All ordinary sites take a maximum of 6 people and one vehicle, Exclusive and undeveloped sites maximum of 12 people and 2 vehicles.
6. School children to pay special rates for camping 50% of the adult fee.
7. Cancellation Policy
a. Cancellation prior to 30 days 90% refund
b. Cancellation between 15-30 days 75% refund c. Cancellation between 7-14 days 50% refund
d. Cancellation in less than 7 days No refund

FIREWOOD per wheelbarrow US$2

CANOE HIRING (max.4 hours) US$5 per hr

SERVICE AND USER FEES
Hire of services of Authority employees for guided tours, walking and wilderness trails. (Maximum 6 people and a minimum of 3 people is required for this to take place) Per hour or part thereof-
Guided tours
Non-residents: US$10 per person per hour or part thereof
Residents: U$5 per person per hour or part thereof
Specialised walks
Non-residents: US$12 per person per hour or part thereof
Residents: US$ 6 per person per hour or part thereof
Wilderness Trails (For more than one day, maximum of 6 people)
Non-residents: US$100 for the first three days and US$40 per day thereafter.
Residents: US$10 per day for the first 3 days and US$8 per person thereafter.

FISHING: Ordinary Fishing permit Per Park Mana Pools
per person, per day (maximum two rods)
Non-residents: US$5
Residents: US$3 excluding river usage & entry fees
Other Areas Including Kariba
Per Park per person, per day (maximum two rods)
Non-residents: US$5
Residents: US$2 excluding river usage & entry fees

Lake Kariba: Angling in prime fishing areas
(1) Tiger Bay Fishing Area: Non-residents: US$5; Residents: US$2 angler /day excluding river usage
(2) Antelope Area: Non-residents: US$5; Residents: US$2 angler /day excluding river usage
(3) Crocodile Park Point: Non-residents: US$5; Residents: US$2 angler /day excluding river usage
(4) All Other Areas: Non-residents: US$5; Residents: US$2 angler /day excluding river usage
Bag limit of 10 fish.

RIVER/LAKE USAGE FEES
(Fees in US$ quoted at 3 levels as follows: International; Regional (SADC); Local Residents)

River Usage Rafting/Canoeing: US$10; US$10; US$4 River usage Houseboat/Sailing Boats/Speed Boats 1-7 days( excluding
fishing): US$10; US$10; US$5
River Usage Other Areas/Speed Boats Kariba per day: US$5; US$5; US$2 River Usage Binga: US$10; US$6; US$2

CANOEING ON LOWER ZAMBEZI
Private canoeing: (per person per sector):
Non-residents: US$10 plus entry fees
Residents: US$5 plus entry fees
Canoeing (other areas) (per day per person)
Non-residents: US$ 10 plus entry fees
Residents: US$4 plus entry fees

This is really sad………
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Paul Grobler
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Re: Zim Travel 2010 - News

Post by Paul Grobler »

Ja Mugabe is besig om mooi na sy eie sak te kyk hier
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Re: Zim Travel 2010 - News

Post by OOOOMS »

Janee, dis nogal sad, want dis 'n baie mooi land :wink:
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Re: Zim Travel 2010 - News

Post by Paul Grobler »

My vrou se oom hulle is nog daar in die Matopos en moet se dis een van die mooiste lande in afrika gaan gereeld oor en dit raak rerig beter nou daar maar die TRICK van Mugabe is n nuwe een
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Re: Zim Travel 2010 - News

Post by cprinsloo »

I was wondering when this was going to happen. We are planning on visiting Mana Pools during June/July, booked and payed for already. We are just waiting for info from them on what will happen with pre-paid bookings, but I was planning on spending some extra nights as well. With this new pricing I'm not interested any more, so maybe I'll travel somewhere else.

In any case, it seems that all the parks are getting prohibitively expensive, seems to me they want to turn all the parks into private lodges (Nam, Bots, Zim), so I think in future I will explore all the places in SA that I haven't seen yet. I will leave the Nam/Bots/Zim parks for the guys who can afford to pay, and keep my money in SA. Pity that we wouldn't be able to organise a boycott, and really hurt them. I have no problem in paying to keep the parks running, but to pay those fees to enrich the politicians I will not do.

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