Folks,

In Zimbabwe I've only been to Harare and Vic Falls airport is there anything I should know when arriving at Bulawayo this coming September?

THX

Mark

If you have a good PH you don't need to know anything. Couldn't be easier. Been there 9 times and its a piece of cake.

Here's a picture of it:

The above photo is indeed the Bulawayo Airport where I flew into the first time I went to Zim. The second time in 2005 they were renovating the one in the photo and we used a large airplane hangar down the runway. As I was leaving they ran my duffle thru the xray machine and the person manning it asked me to come over there. He pointed to the screen and asked me what that was in the bag that "looked like a machine gun". It was a clear plastic bag that I had some shell holders in along with some slings. To tell you the truth it did kind of look like an AR-15 at first glance. I told him it was shell holders and he said "OK' and passed me on. Bulawayo has been easy to pass thru. Make sure you have a few small bills $$$$$ with you.
Doug

Mark you will be processed thru a building that resembles a quanset hut. To your left as you enter will be a window to get your passport stamp which is a sticker that takes up a whole page and there pay a fee of I belive $35.00USD when I was there 2 years ago. To your right are 2 processing lines where your luggage will be gone thru and the firearms will be checked. No one there is in a hurry and the folks were quite polite. You and I still need to talk about that sable!!

Mark, I was there in Feb. I'll give you a call.

quote:

Originally posted by kudu4u:
Mark you will be processed thru a building that resembles a quanset hut. To your left as you enter will be a window to get your passport stamp which is a sticker that takes up a whole page and there pay a fee of I belive $35.00USD when I was there 2 years ago. To your right are 2 processing lines where your luggage will be gone thru and the firearms will be checked. No one there is in a hurry and the folks were quite polite.

That's the way I remember it in 2005. The customs people were very polite and the delay was minimal. A customs trainee pulled a laser range finder from my bag and said something to effect that it was military equipment. The supervisor, or at least that was what her badge said, grabbed it from his hand, stuffed in my bag and said she hoped I'd enjoy my holiday in Zimbabwe. Pleasant compared to many places I've been.

Sure do wish I was walking thru that quanset hut again this year!!

Take a couple sheets of carbon paper. My last trip they had some that was not any good and we had to hand write the form a couple of times. That was two years ago but I'm sure they're still using the same paper. Check the dates on the form to make sure it is correct for your return.

Wish I was in line behind you!! Just went through there last July, friendly little place compared to Houston, Dallas, etc. Have to wait till 08 to pass through there again.

Mark

Watch the movie, "The Dogs of War", for the first airport scene where "Shannon" arrives for the recce. The temporary tin shed hangar hall was very reminiscent of that scene. Dark glasses government hoods and all. I arrived there in the last week of the last currency change so perhaps the gov't gangsters were more active.


All good fun that is not to be missed in Africa from time to time.

Can you fly from Jo'burg straight to Bulawayo via South African Airlines?

ledvm - yes you can - there are supposed to be 2 flights daily, but usually only the afternoon one flies

its a hangar the last couple times i was there, in 2000 it was in the pic in above, some remodel project-i find it rather amusing with all the difficulties they are worried about the airport. i hope things come right there soom

I was there last June, and believe me, it doesn't appear the renovation on the airport terminal is proceeding with any speed. I suspect you'll be seeing the quansit hut for some time to come.

They were pleasant and cooperative with me.
Bring some carbon paper with you. They will love you for it.