Zimbabwe Travel Guide
Zimbabwe: Expert tips and key facts
Planning a trip to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls? Learn about currency and more in our Zimbabwe travel guide.
Zimbabwe offers the most qualified wildlife guides in Africa and an exclusive and peaceful safari experience. In recent years, politics has caused a decline in visitors, yet Zimbabwe has much to offer. Enclosed between the Zambezi River to the north and the Limpopo River in the south, Zimbabwe boasts an inland plateau filled with kopjes (granite outcrops), national parks, rugged mountains and lush forests.
Gaze in awe at the breathtaking sight on a trip to the Victoria Falls. The dry months of May to August are the best time to visit Zimbabwe with animals gathered at the few remaining watering holes. On a luxury Zimbabwe safari with us, you can enjoy close encounters with elephants, lions and leopards on a game drive in Hwange. Take a boat safari in Matusadona, embark on an exhilarating canoe safari in Mana Pools or delve into Zimbabwe culture by exploring the ancient and mysterious ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Exploring the granite boulders and rock art in Matopos National Park is also one of the top things to do in Zimbabwe. Go on a walking safari in spectacular Gonarezhou to feel like the last man left on earth.
The choices offered when traveling in Zimbabwe are awesome. Plan your vacation with helpful tips from our experts in this Zimbabwe travel guide.
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.
Plan a seamless, private vacation in Zimbabwe with personalized advice from our experts. Get in touch with us right way for your custom, obligation-free itinerary.
Popular Trips to Zimbabwe
Best Places To Visit
Best Time To Visit
It is possible to visit Zimbabwe at any time of the year so the best time for your Zimbabwe trip really depends on what you want to experience. Learn more about the best time to visit for your Zimbabwe safari.
Things To Do
From stunning Big Five safaris to exciting adventure sports along the mighty Zambezi River, and magnificent archeological ruins to the vibrant, buzzing capital city Zimbabwe is brimming with treasures. Discover the top ten highlights.
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“Enchanting Travels has once again outdid themselves for me. My trip to South Africa and then unto Zimbabwe was flawless. Everything was well organized. What Enchanting Travels does well is make my dreams come true. Got to see all the Big Five by the end of our safari trip. The home hosted lunch in Zimbabwe was an excellent change to our itinerary when a previously scheduled activity fell through. My overall experience was truly wonderful.”
May 2026 Rating 5/5
“Enchanted Travels made our trip experience so relaxing. We never had to worry about anything. The app they used provided all the information we needed. The guides were always there for us and we didn’t need to worry about any administrative details beyond what time to meet the next day. All accommodations were first class and the included tours meant we didn’t have many expenses during out trip as everything was pre-paid.”
April 2026 Rating 5/5
“Anna Thomas was very adept at planning our trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. She is a keen listener and grasped what I wanted on the trip. Her knowledge of the area, the lodging, game drives and the multitude of options at each stop are exactly what we wanted. The trip plan was exceptional and the actual trip went perfectly, without a hitch. I was truly a trip of a lifetime! I would recommend Anna as a trip planner/coordinator for anyone looking to travel in south and/or east Africa. I certainly plan on using her again.”
January 2025 Rating 5/5
“Just got back from two weeks in Africa. What a great trip. The first week was on Safari seeing all the wild animals. The second was sightseeing in Zanzibar and then Victoria Falls. Alison Felfoldi and Ruth Mbugua were incredible in arranging all of the details. The Hotels were great the venues were fantastic the guides were knowledgeable and all of the pickups and drivers were prompt and courteous.”
February 2025 Rating 5/5
“We just returned from an outstanding 3-week trip to East Africa. Our travel consultant did an outstanding job of putting together this trip for a friend and me. Everything went as smooth as glass. We saw an extraordinary number of animals and the accommodations were even better than pictured. Our personal guides were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and kind, even assisting with all our check-ins. Every transport worked seamlessly. It was a great experience, we highly recommend Enchanting Travels!”
September 2025 Rating 5/5
“A memorable trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. A lot to see and a lot of history, a very memorable vacation. The safari drives are amazing and the food in all locations were delicious, you got to be open to trying different cuisine. Overall trip was the best I#ve experienced.”
March 2025 Rating 5/5