Zimbabwe

Travel and Tourism Information

Introduction

With rich cultures and strikingly beautiful landscapes, Zimbabwe is in a league of its own. Bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Mozambique to the north and east, South Africa to the south and Botswana to the southwest, Zimbabwe is at the heart of safari tourism.

Map and Geography 

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country and its landscape varies from flat and rolling ranges, to farmland and mountains, all marked by granite outcroppings.

Points of geographical and scenic interest include the magnificent Victoria Falls and manmade Lake Kariba on the Zambezi River, the mountainous Eastern Highlands along the Mozambique border, along with several highly acclaimed national parks.

Zimbabwe’s capital city is Harare.

Climate and Temperature

Zimbabwe’s location gives it a pleasant and temperate climate.

While daytime temperatures from May to August are generally warm and sunny, at night they tend to dip to lows of 7°C. Lower elevation areas including the Zambezi Valley, are a bit hotter and can become quite humid. Things begin to warm up in September, with October typically being the country’s hottest month.

The rainy season runs from December to April. The Eastern Highlands generally receive more rain than the rest of the country. Showers tend to be quite erratic, often occurring in powerful bursts and sometimes accompanied by thunder storms.

Harare: In summer, average temperatures are highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C, and in winter, highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C

Bulawayo: In summer, average temperatures are highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C, and in winter, highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C

Victoria Falls: In summer, average temperatures are highs of 34°C and lows of 18°C, and in winter, highs of 25°C and lows of 7°C

Population and Language

Zimbabwe has a population of 14.6 million people.

Since 2013, Zimbabwe has recognised 16 official languages, namely: ChiChewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa.

The country's main languages are Shona, spoken by roughly 70% of the population, and Ndebele, spoken by roughly 20%.

English is the country's lingua franca, used in government and business, and as the main medium of instruction in schools.

Religion

Christianity is the most dominant faith in Zimbabwe, with an adherence of roughly 87% of the population. The majority of Christians belong to the Protestant denomination.

Both Shona and Ndebele traditions recognise an ever-present creator that oversees all living beings. There is a widespread belief that the spirits of ancestors (Vadzimu in Shona or Amadlozi in Ndebele) and deceased chiefs (Mhondoro) continue to exist in the community influencing and affecting life. Communication with these ancestral spirits is usually achieved through spirit mediums.

Traditional Food and Drink of Zimbabwe 

Sadza / Isitshwala is a stiff maize meal porridge eaten as the predominant staple with meat and vegetables.

Nhedzi is a rich wild mushroom soup

Biltong is dried meat (typically seasoned with coriander seeds and salt), typically made using beef

Bota is porridge with peanut butter, milk and butter, enjoyed for breakfast

Dovi is traditional peanut butter stew with meat and vegetables

Mapopo Candy is papaya cooked in and dusted with sugar

Madora / Macimbi are mopane worms eaten dried or fried as a protein-rich snack

Mupotohayi / Chimodho is traditional cornbread

Hwahwa / Doro / Chibuku is traditional sorghum beer

Passport and Visa Requirements 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of your return from Zimbabwe and have three blank pages left in it.

Most visitors will have to obtain a visa either on arrival or in advance of your arrival. For more information, visit eVisa Zimbabwe.

Yellow fever certificates are required if your journey starts from or passes through a country with yellow fever.

Currency 

Zimbabwe’s economic situation remains unpredictable. Whilst the primary legal tender in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWL), it is currently possible for tourists to transact using the US Dollar at the official exchange rate.

There are some Bureaux de Change outlets that will accept and change foreign currency, particularly US Dollars. The exchange rate is currently unpredictable.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a shortage of cash. Cash withdrawals can be made at some ATMs and bank branches with an international bank card but availability cannot always be guaranteed.

Electricity 

Power plugs and sockets in Zimbabwe are of type D and G. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

International Dialing Code

The international dialing code in Zimbabwe is +263

Telecommunications 

Internet connection is available in most major towns and cities in Zimbabwe such as Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare through fiber optic, and in other remote parts of the country through satellite communication.

There is a total of 16 radio stations that broadcast locally, 6 broadcast nationally, the other 10 broadcast provincially and are located in the country's major cities.

There is 1 state-controlled television station, ZBC TV, however satellite TV providers including DStv are available.

Transportation

Zimbabwe has three major international airports. These include Harare International Airport – the busiest and biggest airport in Zimbabwe; Joshua Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo; and Victoria Falls International Airport.

Public transport in Zimbabwe relies on roads, railroads, and air. 

The National Railways of Zimbabwe manages lines between the major destinations in the country. The rail system is under-developed and poorly maintained. Level crossings are poorly marked, resulting in numerous accidents.

There are two main types of buses in the country, namely express and local. Express services are run according to a set timetable and tickets need to be purchased before departure.

Local buses have no schedule and generally wait until they are full to leave. These local buses can be found at markets and in the center of major towns.

Time

The time zone in Zimbabwe is GMT+2, or Central African Time.

Health

The provision and quality of health care is variable and can be particularly poor outside of the major cities.

If you are on medication, bring sufficient supplies of your medication to cover the period of your stay. Pharmacies may not be able to provide you with the appropriate drug prescribed by your doctor.

Before traveling to Zimbabwe, you should consult your doctor and ensure that your routine vaccines are up to date. Hepatitis A and Tetanus vaccinations are usually advised, along with Hepatitis B, Rabies, Diphtheria and Typhoid vaccinations.

There are continuing reports of typhoid fever and cholera in a number of areas of the country.

Malaria risk is high throughout the year but highest from November to June, in areas below 1200m including the Zambesi Valley and Victoria Falls. There is low to no risk in Harare and Bulawayo and the district of Matabeleland South.

Be mindful to protect yourself against sunstroke, snake bites, tick-bite fever, Sleeping Sickness and Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis).

Safety

The level of crime in the country is relatively low, but travelers should be wary of general tourism-related incidents like pickpocketing and muggings.

The political situation in Zimbabwe continues to be unstable and tensions easily develop between ZANU-PF and MDC supporters. It is best to stay neutral and avoid political conversations and gatherings while traveling in Zimbabwe.

Flash flooding during the rainy season (November to April) can make some roads impassable.

Make sure you have your personal documents such as your passport and visa at all times.

LGBTQI+ Travellers

Conservative attitudes towards same-sex relations, especially between men, prevail in Zimbabwe. Sex between men is illegal and same-sex marriage is explicitly prohibited by the 2013 constitution. However, there is a small but active underground gay scene in Harare and prosecutions are rare. Public displays of affection may cause offence, regardless of gender or sexuality. 

Always check your government's latest travel advice before you visit.

When is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe, like much of southern Africa, is a year round destination. The best time to visit depends on whether you like heat, rain, or more temperate conditions.

For going on safari, the ideal time to visit Zimbabwe is from May to November.

Zimbabwe’s rainy season can be incredibly atmospheric, bringing migratory birds and beautiful sunsets.

Key Attractions

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is the oldest and largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. It provides a refuge for over 100 species of mammal - including the Big Five. The elephant population in Hwange is thought to be one of the largest in the world. The park is also home to some of Africa’s rarest safari animals, including the African wild dog, the brown hyena and the critically endangered black rhino. Birdlife is also abundant in Hwange, with over 400 species recorded within the park.

Victoria Falls

This is the largest sheet of falling water on the planet, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. In peak flood season (February to May), the spray thrown up by the plunging water can be seen from 48 kilometers (30 miles) away. Viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramas of the plummeting water with rainbows hanging beautifully in the sunshine.

Kariba

Kariba is renowned as one of the best places in the world to catch tiger fish. Created after the construction of the Kariba Dam in 1959, Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake in terms of volume. There are several lodges located along the lake shores, but the traditional way to explore the lake is on a houseboat. The lake’s islands also offer wonderful opportunities for game watching.

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is one of the most pristine nature areas in Zimbabwe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to incredible concentrations of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Mana Pools is also a haven for water-based wildlife, with large populations of hippo and Nile crocodile. The abundance of water makes this park a prime spot for birders, too. It is also the best destination in the country for walking safaris and self-sufficient camping trips.

Great Zimbabwe National Monument

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the the capital of the historic Kingdom of Zimbabwe and the most important stone ruins south of the Sahara. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, the ruins cover a vast area and include a hilltop acropolis that would have once housed kings and chiefs. The surrounding valley is littered with the ruins of more humble dwellings, all of which were built using granite blocks cut so perfectly that no mortar was needed to hold them together.

Matobo National Park

Matobo National Park is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Bulawayo and is home to Zimbabwe’s famous balancing rocks. Many of the rocks are marked with ancient San Bushman rock art dating back thousands of years. The burial site of Cecil Rhodes, the controversial 19th-century imperialist, are also in the park, marked by a brass plaque perched atop World’s View, the park’s most iconic viewpoint. Although there are no lions or elephants in the park, Matobo is home to one of the largest leopard populations in southern Africa and is a great place to spot Verreaux’s eagles as well as white and black rhino. Matobo National Park is a top destination for hikers.

Chimanimani National Park

Mountainous Chimanimani National Park, on the eastern border with Mozambique, is a place of stunning natural beauty. The lower parts of the park are covered by dense virgin forest, which in turn provides shelter for elusive wildlife including eland, sable and blue duiker antelope. Leopard roam free in the Chimanimani mountains and the birdlife is spectacular. Amenities in the park include unpaved hiking trails, communal huts and a campsite with basic cooking and ablution facilities. Wild camping is also allowed throughout the park.

Chinhoyi Caves National Park

Chinhoyi Caves, in North central Zimbabwe, is home to a subterranean system of limestone and dolomite caverns and tunnels. Pottery and human remains uncovered here suggest that the caves have been inhabited since at least the 1st century. Most famously, they provided a refuge from raiding tribes for Shona chief Chinhoyi and his people. The top attraction is the Wonder Hole, a collapsed cavern with sheer walls that drop into the crystalline Sleeping Pool. The glacial blue color of the lake's water makes for impressive photographs, and from here, visitors can enter the illuminated Dark Cave.