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The Basics

Time: Local time in Zimbabwe is GMT +2.

Electricity: Electrical current in Zimbabwe is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Money: The official currency is the US dollar (USD). The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWD) was effectively abandoned as the official curency in early 2009. Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops; Many smaller establishments still do not have credit card facilities; Diners Club and American Express are sometimes not accepted. ATM facilities, dispensing US$, are available in the cities.

Currency Exchange Rates

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: English is the official language in Zimbabwe, although it is only spoken as a first language by a tiny percentage of the population. Several indigenous languages are spoken including Shona and Ndebele.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans: US passport holders must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 30-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained at the point of entry for a fee of US$30 for single entry or US$45 for multiple entry visa
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK passport holders must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 30-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained at the point of entry for a fee of US$55 for a single entry and US$70 for a double entry visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian passport holders must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 30-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained at the point of entry for a fee of US$75. Canadians cannot get a double entry visa at the point of entry.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian passport holders must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 30-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained at the point of entry for a fee of US$30 for single entry or US$45 for multiple entry visa.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid for at least the period of stay in the country. A visa is required; on arrival a 30-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained free of charge.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a passport that should be valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is required; on arrival a 30-day holiday visa or 30-day business visa can be obtained for a fee of US$30 for a single entry or US$45 for a double entry visa.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors require tickets and documents for return or onward journeys, as well as sufficient funds for their duration of stay. Visa fees, where applicable, are payable in US dollars. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Travel Health: Travellers to Zimbabwe who are coming from infected countries require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Precautions against Hepatitis A, and rabies are also recommended. Other risks include typhoid, polio and bilharzia; a high prevalence of AIDS/HIV exists. There is a risk of malaria all year in most of the country, particularly in the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and in the Eastern Highlands; the risk is very small in Harare and Bulawayo. Mosquitoes are chloroquine resistant. Precautions against mosquito bites should be taken to avoid any number of mosquito-borne diseases. Cholera outbreaks occur usually during the rainy season when flooding and contamination of water sources takes place. Rapidly declining health standards are also responsible for the world's lowest life expectancy according to WHO, and a breakdown in the water distribution system, especially in Harare. Visitors are advised to take food and hygiene precautions. The standard of tap water in urban areas is considered low, and bottled water is available. The current economic instability has led to shortages of medication in public hospitals, and many staff are on strike; it is advisable to bring a supply of personal medication. Medical insurance is essential. Private clinics expect cash payment and medical costs can be high.

Tipping: A service charge is usually included in the bill in Zimbabwe, otherwise a 10% tip is customary. In general tipping for good service is discretionary. Tour guides and game rangers depend largely on tips for their income and ranges from US$5 to US$10 per person per day.

Safety Information: Safety in Zimbabwe remains unstable due to political and social unrest, heightened by an economic crisis which has resulted in high rates of unemployment and inflation, nationwide fuel shortages, power cuts and serious shortages of basic foodstuffs. Many hotels and restaurants are having difficulty finding food supplies, and fuel shortages are causing delays and cancellations for public transport and flights. There has been a dramatic increase in criminal activity and opportunistic theft, particularly from foreigners in Harare and in the main tourist centres, such as Victoria Falls, and it is not advised to travel outside of those areas unaccompanied. Tourists are advised to avoid displays of wealth and valuables and passports should be kept out of sight or preferably left in a hotel safe.

Local Customs: In Zimbabwe it is against the law to take photographs of public buildings or government institutions, and it is not advisable to take photographs anywhere in the vicinity of such buildings, or any roadblocks and illegally occupied farms, as this could lead to arrest. It is also illegal to take photographs of police and military, as well as of demonstrations. It is a criminal offence to make insulting comments about President Mugabe and his government. It is also an offence to continue driving when the President's motorcade goes past, no matter which side of the road you are on. Visitors should be aware that an open hand is the political symbol of the main opposition political party, the Movement for Democratic Change, and a friendly wave may therefore be misinterpreted as a provocative gesture. Homosexuality is illegal. Civilians are not permitted to wear camouflage clothing.

Business: Business in Zimbabwe is conducted in English, and is fairly informal, with drinking and socialising very much part of the business scene. Dress is fairly conservative, but lightweight suits or casual jackets are more suited to the hot climate than formal business wear. It is customary to shake hands with men and women at the beginning and end of a meeting. Business hours are generally Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm, although hours vary considerably depending on the establishment; some businesses close at 11am on Wednesdays, and some are open on Saturday mornings.

Communications: The international dialling code for Zimbabwe is +263. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). International Direct Dialling is available. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)4 for Harare. Telecel, Econet and Net*One operators provide GSM 900 network mobile phone coverage in most cities, towns and tourist areas throughout the country. Internet and email facilities are available in most towns and cities Harare, but internet cafes are generally crowded.

Duty free: Travellers to Zimbabwe do not have to pay duty on items to the value of US$250 provided this allowance is not claimed more than once in a 30-day period. These include goods for personal consumption, including tobacco, and alcohol up to 5 litres with no more than 2 litres of this being spirits. Prohibited items include narcotic and amphetamine drugs, honey, indecent or obscene reading material, toy firearms, and blade knives.

Harare travel Forum