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The Tourist Essential Guide to Zimbabwe

Sharon

When I tell people I am from Zimbabwe, the first question is usually, “where is Zimbabwe?” or “what is it like over there?” Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in the heart of Southern Africa, with a unique and diverse landscape ranging from vast national parks and spectacular landscapes. Zimbabwe is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a rich heritage across the Zimbabwe planes. Visiting Zimbabwe should be on any travel enthusiast’s bucket list. My dream is to explore Zimbabwe more deeply, revisit destinations I last visited as a kid, and experience its beauty.

In this Article:

Getting To Zimbabwe

Depending on your trip goals, people choose to either fly to Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe and then embark on their tour to specific parts of the country OR fly directly to Victoria Falls (more info below). Unfortunately, there are no direct routes when traveling to Zimbabwe from Europe or the United States; flight times vary from 18 to 35 hours, depending on your country of origin. Therefore, be prepared for a long haul journey. The most common routes from Europe and the United States are as follows:

Best Time To Visit Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is generally a year-round destination, however, it is worth noting the general weather patterns. December – March is the rainy season. Following the rains in April and May, the weather is drier, and most parts of the country is verdant. June – early August is Winter when the weather is warm during the day but much cooler during the nights. Mid-August – October, temperatures rise again to hot and dry weather. Lastly, November is a hit or miss where the weather can be pretty hot and dry, or the rainy season starts early.

I have typically visited Zimbabwe during December or in April/May. December tends to be more crowded as Zimbabwe’s diaspora returns home for Christmas. Therefore, April/May is my favorite time to travel to Zimbabwe when the weather is not oppressively hot and also not crowded. April/May is also when Victoria falls has the highest volume of water falling. Alternatively, if you would love to see the Jacarandas in bloom, October is the best month to visit.

Currency & Basics

  1. Zimbabwe has 3 entry visa types – i) countries that don’t need a visa to enter, ii) visa upon arrival, and iii) e-visa apply online. Check which visa you will need before traveling.
  2. English is one of the official languages of Zimbabwe; as such, 90% of the population speaks English.
  3. The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Dollar-denominated in RTGS aka Bond Notes; the exchange rate when we went was ~$1USD to 400 RTGS. However, US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Prices at grocery stores are quoted in RTGS and converted to USD at the till/ checkout stand. Prices at restaurants are displayed in both currencies. Some vendors will only accept USD, mainly for tourist attractions and gas stations. Be sure to know both the street rate and the bank rate.
  4. As of the time I went, international cards were not accepted anywhere. The primary forms of payments accepted are cash and local bank cards.
  5. Expect to pay ~$18-$25 per plate at restaurants, which locals consider expensive.
  6. Roaming networks are spotty; therefore, I recommend getting a local sim card at the airport or at your nearest mall.
  7. There are limited private taxi services; recommend booking a taxi service ahead of time for the day to guarantee your safe return to your accommodations.
  8. Zimbabwe uses 240v electricity for all electronics with UK-style plugs. You will need an adapter if your electronics do not have UK-style power plugs. Those traveling from the United States will need a transformer and adapter for electronic devices that only operate on 120v, e.g., hairdryers, shavers, etc.
  9. Most hotels/ inns have backup power in case of load shedding (power cuts) of the city-provided power. Recommend asking if your accommodations have a back for electric power before booking. 

Health & Safety in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a region with malaria; therefore, you need mosquito repellent to prevent bug bites. It’s advisable to bring anti-malaria tablets while traveling in Zimbabwe, especially if you plan to go to places like Kariba, Hwange, and Victoria Falls. If you are traveling from a place with yellow fever, you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

If you are going on a safari, it’s best to wear neutral colors such as khaki/ stone and avoid blue or black clothing that attracts tsetse flies. Also, pack a wide-brimmed hat at any time of year; the sun can also be hot in the winters. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must even if you are melanated to prevent sunburn, especially in the dry, hot months. Finally, always drink bottled water or purified water.

Emergency medical facilities are available in major cities in Zimbabwe – Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, and Victoria Falls. Unfortunately, fewer medical facilities are available in more remote parts of the country. Recommend getting travel insurance in case of an emergency that requires you to go to a hospital or be airlifted to Johannesburg. That being said, out-of-pocket costs for cuts and scrapes are relatively inexpensive.

Zimbabwe is relatively safe for tourists. You will find that everyone is warm and welcoming, but like anywhere, you need to stay vigilant. Do not carry large sums of money. Make arrangements with hotels and tour services to pay in advance via World Remit/ Western Union. Some roads are severely in need of repairs, and others are well paved, so it’s best to conclude all outings and road trips before sundown. In Harare, it’s best t get a local driver to drive you around as the road rules are loose; if you don’t know what you are doing, you could easily find yourself in an accident.

Covid19 Requirements for Visiting Zimbabwe

Every person arriving in Zimbabwe needs to show valid proof of complete vaccination against Covid-19 OR a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure to Zimbabwe, not both. Those departing Zimbabwe must follow the COvid-19 Rules of their destination country. Note that those traveling to the United States must have a negative PCR test taken one day before departure. This was very easy to do in Harare. I had my Covid test at Lancet Labs for $40, and the results were out within 4 hours.

Bucket List Attractions in Zimbabwe

Harare 

Harare is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. Most visitors bypass Harare and rush off to the wilderness. It’s worth taking a few days to tour the city to sample museums, craft markets, urban safaris, and so much more. Note that there are limited private taxi services. We recommend booking a Taxi Service in advance for the activity you have planned that day – just google “taxi service in Harare,” and several will pop up.

Credit: Getty Images

Victoria Falls

Locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, Victoria Falls is the most popular tourist destination in Zimbabwe and is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. The waterfall is the largest waterfall in the world in that it is the largest curtain of falling water in the world. It is a one-hour flight from Harare with frequent flights. This destination is easy to add to your itinerary from South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia. Victoria Falls International Airport serves several local and international flights – including South African Airways, British Airways, Kenya Airways, and Air Zimbabwe. Also, non-stop direct flights depart from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Windhoek. Note that the best views of Victoria Falls are on the Zimbabwean side compared to the Zambian side – true fact, not at all biased. Lastly, If you have time, you can drive to the following destinations from Victoria Falls and spend a couple of nights:

Credit: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

Great Zimbabwe

 Great Zimbabwe, locally known as Dzimbabwe (houses of stone) is a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 330km/ 205mi from Harare (5hr road trip). It was a medieval African city and home to the great monarchs of the area between the 10th to 16th centuries. This site is a wonder in that the construction used stone bricks and no mortar relying on carefully shaped and placed rocks to hold the wall’s shape on their own. The best way to get to great Zimbabwe is either renting a car or booking a shuttle service.

Credit: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

The Eastern Highlands 

The Eastern Highlands is a mountain range from Nyanga, through Mutare and Vumba, and ending in Chimanimani, spanning 300km /190mi on the eastern side of Zimbabwe bordering Mozambique. This region has an unparalleled natural beauty with lush green forests, rolling hills, misty valleys, rugged peaks, deep gorges, sparkling rivers and lakes, and spectacular cascading waterfalls. The best way to get to great Zimbabwe is either renting a car or booking a shuttle service.

Credit: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

Mana Pools National Park 

Mana Pools National Park is a 2,200 square kilometer (850 sq mi) wildlife conservation National Park in northern Zimbabwe. The region attracts many large animals searching for water as lakes dry up, making it one of Africa’s most renowned game reserves. Getting to this National Park from Harare is a 5 hr road trip (~350km/ 220mi). So the best way to get to great Zimbabwe is either renting a car or booking a shuttle service.

Credit: Kanga Camp, Mana Pools

There are many more things to see than what is highlighted in this article, e.g., Matobo National Park, Domboshava Caves, Khami Ruins, Chinhoyi Caves, etc. We hope this guide has convinced you to add Zimbabwe to your bucket list and make it easier for you to navigate. We are always happy to answer questions you may have about visiting Zimbabwe. If you have been to Zimbabwe, drop a comment with your tips. Now that the world is open again, now more than ever is the best time to go to Zimbabwe and experience its majestic beauty.

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