Chirundu Border

[FransBR]

Just a few notes that might interest travellers new to Chirundu to Exit Zambia, Enter Zimbabwe.


On arrival in the carpark , runners did approach to assist for a fee. We continued without...for now...

Enter the main building and start with Zambia immigration on the right, for a passport stamp .

Moving anti clockwise , next window was Zimbabwe immigration, small paper to fill in , passport stamped...and obtain Gate Pass.

Next was Zambia Interpol, around the corner of the Zambia Immigration window ,down the corridor , first office was Revenue Collection ( later), second office Interpol... Simple stamp on the Private Vehicle Verification document...and Gate Pass...no issues.

Next door office was Zimbabwe Interpol , same stamp on the PVV and Gate Pass.

Back to the first office in corridor, Revenue Collection, received REF NUMBER for $ 10 road tax, $10 carbon tax , $ 30 insurance. Now walk back to find the Cashier , and pay the $50. Then back to Revenue Collection with Receipt...AND back to Zimbabwe Interpol for final Gate Pass stamp.

All good to go , 35 minutes flat in and out, really not a big issue.

One more stop...we still had the IBDF form for Zambia, which needed to be handed in to finally exit Zambia....this is handed in at small office on the right , as you exit the carpark , down a small ramp next to what looked like a workshop shed....really weird place the runners pointed out to us for a small fee.

And that was that.....onto Zimbabwe.

When we exited through Plumtree in Zimbabwe , we had to produce the T.I.P received from Zimbabwe at Chirundu and on the Botswana side the T.I.P received at Kazungula.

[CalDriver]

Thanks for the report!

We traveled through the opposite direction in 2022 and it was uneventful. For all the bad reputation this border gets, you can still get through it in an hour or two. We had no one try to shake us down or otherwise give us a hard time.

[Tannaman]

We drove through Chirundu about 10 days ago and no problems at all.
we had the required police clearance doc and had managed to get 3rd party insurance on line before leaving Cape Town.
There are no touts, the officials were all helpful and it took less than 2 hours which included a half hour computers down time.
Our car wasn’t searched at all and no mention made of foo or drink being brought into the country.

[Tannaman]

Big sorry about previous post.
just realised I made a mistake as we came in through Kasangula and not Chirundu.
Tanna

[Kalahari Safari]

Big sorry about previous post.
just realised I made a mistake as we came in through Kasungula and not Chirundu.
Tanna

Now to add insult to injury - which direction did you travel?

[Legome]

It's great to have some good information about this border online. We crossed in from zambia into zimbabwe in July, it was not the most enjoyable border.

If you are travelling in a rental vehicle the process is different, and a little more frustrating.

• the "agents" which hang around are a pain. We have always crossed african borders without using them and will continue to do so. HOWEVER, here you will need to use one in the end, so don't be too rude. Here is our story:

step 1: Immigration

1. exit zambia at the desk on the right, collect your passport stamp.
2. enter zimbabwe. Apply for a visa at desk 1, pay for your visa at desk 4, collect your visa at desk 2. Got it?
3. Did you get a gate pass? always ask for one.

step 2: Interpol

1. in the confusion we completed this step somewhat out of sync. There are two offices in the building, one for Zambia interpol, and one for Zimbabwe interpol. Both are down the right hand side of right hand corridor
2. Interpol will look at your document and stamp the back of it.

step 3: Private vehicle customs

1. the first office on the right hand side of the right hand corridor
2. it's not necessary to visit this room with a rental car - you need the commercial customs which is in the left hand corridor on the opposite side of the atrium.
3. we spent 20 minutes here before someone eventually told us

step 4: zambia exit customs

1. controversially down the hill towards the exit, about 200m away from the "one-stop" border post...
2. you must visit here to exit your car from zambia, cancel the TIP etc. BEFORE zimbabwe will deal with you

step 5: commercial bond

1. you need a CVG before visiting zimbabwe customs
2. a CVG is a commercial vehicle guarantee, you can only purchase it off one of the guys which has followed you around for the last hour. suddenly they hold the cards. It is a piece of paper and is arbitrarily priced.

• we visited the commercial bond office, the lady there helpfully told us that we had no option but to buy the CVG from an agent. At which point we asked the price, she said she didn't know.
• we asked her to call in an agent and ask him the price. He said "fifty dollars".
• her face told us all we needed to know about the price. Twenty is plenty.
• In the end we paid forty dollars, we were sick of the stupid games played and offered forty to be rid of our entourage.
• spoiler: they did not leave us alone

step 6: zimbabwe customs

1. CVG and interpol clearance in hand, the officer in the front left office of the building will process our paperwork.
2. They will need payment for carbon tax and for insurance. Both dependent on your vehicle's engine size. For our land-cruiser it cost us another $70. This should have been $50.
3. Just becasue you're in an official office it doesn't stop them trying to rip you off.

step 7: payment

1. payment for the carbon tax and insurance is done at the bank.
2. UK bank cards DO NOT WORK in zimbabwe. I hope you brought dollars with you...

step 8: exit

1. If MANA POOLS is your destination, visit the parks office in the compound before leaving. The entry gate to mana pools is at the bottom of the escarpment, and the Marongora office is up on the top, a 10 minute drive away. You must visit a parks office to get a gate pass before entering the park. You cannot get a gate pass at the actual gate. mad I know. Just go to the parks office at the border. All payment can be done at thr Nyamepi office, but you need a gate pass to get there.
2. at the border exit barrier you will need to go through all your paperwork again. Don't stash it away too early.
3. Your entourage will ask for tip. Kindly tell them to go away. (remember they fleeced you for the CVG)

​step 9: enjoy zimbabwe