Zimbabwe Travel Guide

Visa and entry

An entry visa can be obtained for or citizens of the EU, Australia, the US, and a number of other countries.

Travelers planning to visit both Zimbabwe and Zambia can apply for a UniVisa (also known as KAZA visa) which costs US$ 50. The visa can be obtained in advance, as well as at ports of entry. The UniVisa allows for 30 days of travel within both Zambia and Zimbabwe, and is also valid for day trips to Botswana. Travelers must remain within Zambia and Zimbabwe for the visa to stay valid. Visiting Botswana for a day trip will not affect the visa’s validity, provided that you return to Zambia or Zimbabwe on the same day.

Health information

It is advisable to get all standard vaccinations before you travel to Zimbabwe, including shots for Hepatitis. As the country is prone to cholera and typhoid, make sure that these vaccinations are on the list too. It’s important to visit your doctor a few months prior to your date of travel as many vaccinations may take some time.

There have been instances of malaria in Zimbabwe so always make sure to carry mosquito repellent with you and sleep under a mosquito net whenever you can. In the evenings, don’t forget to wear clothes with long sleeves that cover most of your body.

Healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe are not always ideal so it imperative that you get comprehensive health insurance that cover all aspects of travel, including repatriation and emergency evacuation. While in Zimbabwe, ensure that you only drink bottled or mineral water. For more information, click here.

Currency and cards

The official currency within Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe dollar (Z$). Foreign currencies such as USD are considered illegal within the country.

Due to the sudden reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2019, there is currently a shortage of notes within the country and it may be difficult to withdraw money from banks with a foreign card.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most upscale tourist establishments and shops. Amex cards are rarely accepted in Zimbabwe.

Communication

Zimbabwe has extremely limited mobile phone coverage and internet connectivity except for areas around major towns (Victoria Falls, Harare, Maun, Kasane).

The country code for Zimbabwe is +263.

Language and religion

English is the official language, widely spoken and taught even in rural and remote areas. All guides and general staff in the camps have good command over English. Other widely spoken languages are Shona, spoken by the largest ethnic group, and Isindebele, spoken by the second largest ethnic group. There are other languages spoken which also have various dialects and other minority languages. 

Approximately 70% of the population live in rural areas while the other 30% reside in urban areas. Only 2% of the population are of non-African ethnic origin, being mainly European and Asian. 

The majority of Zimbabweans are Christians (approximately 84%), followed by those with traditional African beliefs (3%), Muslims (1%) and non-religious groups (12%). 

Culturally, in Zimbabwe men head the household and are also the breadwinners in the family, although equality is now slowly starting to happen, with women being similarly responsible for earning and providing sustenance. Generally, most women are responsible for taking care of the children and all household chores.

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