🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Experience thundering waterfalls, walking safaris in untamed wilderness, and ancient stone cities.
Harare
Capital
USD & ZiG
Currency
English, Shona
Language
Jul – Oct
Best Time
5
UNESCO Sites
Left
Driving Side
UTC+2
Time Zone
Type G & D
Plug Type
7.5/10
Safety
+263
Calling Code
Zimbabwe offers some of the most raw and rewarding wildlife viewing in Southern Africa, without the heavy crowds found in neighbouring parks. Here, you can feel the spray of Victoria Falls, track wild dogs on foot in Mana Pools, and explore the ancient granite enclosures of Great Zimbabwe. The country’s turbulent history is well documented, but on the ground, you will find incredibly resilient, welcoming people and highly professional safari guides. While logistics like currency and fuel can occasionally require patience, the payoff is immense. Whether you are navigating the vast elephant herds of Hwange or canoeing the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe delivers an authentic, unfiltered bush experience.
Cities & Destinations
From the jacaranda-lined avenues of Harare to the adrenaline hub of Victoria Falls.
Interactive Map
Click any pin to explore our guides for that destination.
Quick Facts
Geography
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Capital
- Harare
- Highest Peak
- Mount Nyangani (2,592m)
- UNESCO Sites
- 5
Country Info
- Languages
- English, Shona, Ndebele
- Currency
- USD & ZiG
- Driving Side
- Left
- Plug Type
- G & D (220-240V)
Travel Essentials
- Peak Season
- Jul – Oct
- Safety
- Moderate to High
- Solo-Friendly
- ⚠️ With care
- Family-Friendly
- ✅ Yes (8+ years)
Money & Budget
Budget Traveler
$60–100
Hostels, public kombis, and self-catering.
Mid-Range
$150–300
Guesthouses, national park lodges, and guided day trips.
Luxury
$600–1500+
Fly-in safaris, private concessions, and luxury tented camps.
Average Costs
- Hotel Night
- $80 – $150
- Hostel / Camp
- $15 – $30
- Local Meal
- $5 – $12
- Coffee
- $2 – $4
- Taxi Ride
- $5 – $10
- Museum
- $5 – $15
Money Tips
- ATMs
- Often lack cash
- Credit Cards
- Accepted in major hubs
- Cash Tips
- Bring small USD bills
- Tipping
- 10% in restaurants
Entry Requirements
| Nationality | Visa Requirement | Max Stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Visa on arrival (or KAZA Univisa) | 30 days | $30 ($50 KAZA) |
| UK | Visa on arrival (or KAZA Univisa) | 30 days | $55 ($50 KAZA) |
| EU / Schengen | Visa on arrival (varies by country) | 30 days | $30 - $50 |
| Canada | Visa on arrival | 30 days | $75 |
| Australia | Visa on arrival | 30 days | $30 |
| India | e-Visa required in advance | 30 days | $30 |
Always confirm with the official government source before travel.
Vaccinations
- Recommended
- Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus
- Required
- Yellow Fever (if from risk zone)
- Malaria Risk
- High (especially Zambezi Valley)
- Water
- Drink bottled or filtered
Passport & Insurance
- Validity
- 6 months beyond exit
- Blank Pages
- 3 minimum
- Insurance
- Comprehensive medical evac
- Coverage
- Must cover safari activities
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Getting There & Around
International Airports
- Harare
- HRE
- Victoria Falls
- VFA
- Bulawayo
- BUQ
Getting Around
- Car Rental
- 4x4 essential for parks
- Domestic Flights
- Fastjet connects main hubs
- WiFi
- Patchy outside cities
- SIM
- Econet has best coverage
Connectivity
Mobile & Internet
- SIM Providers
- Econet, NetOne
- SIM Cost
- $2 for SIM + $10/10GB
- eSIM
- Airalo (works on Econet)
- WiFi
- Slow in remote camps
- VPN Needed?
- No
Useful Apps
- Maps
- Google Maps (offline)
- Translation
- Google Translate
- Rides
- InDrive (Harare/Bulawayo)
- Currency
- Xe
Top Attractions
Things to Do
01
Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe or Zambia Side?
Face the Main Falls from the Zimbabwe side for the best year-round water flow and classic viewpoints.
02
Great Zimbabwe National Monument: Visitor Guide
Wander the 11th-century dry-stone ruins of a forgotten African empire that gave the country its name.
03
Mana Pools Walking Safari Guide
Track elephants and lions on foot along the floodplains of the Zambezi River with expert guides.
04
Hwange National Park Safari Guide
Spot massive elephant herds and elusive painted dogs in Zimbabwe's largest and most famous wildlife reserve.
05
Matobo Hills Rhino Tracking
Hike among balancing granite boulders to track endangered white rhinos alongside armed national park rangers.
06
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
Spot hippos and crocodiles while sipping a gin and tonic on the river just above Victoria Falls.
National Parks
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Victoria Falls
The world's largest sheet of falling water, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument
The ruins of an ancient city that was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age.
Mana Pools National Park
A remote wilderness of lakes and sandbanks famous for unguided walking safaris and massive elephant populations.
Matobo Hills
An area of striking granite kopjes featuring ancient San rock art and Cecil Rhodes' controversial grave.
Khami Ruins
A ruined city near Bulawayo that succeeded Great Zimbabwe as the capital of the Torwa dynasty in the 15th century.
Wildlife Experiences
African Elephants
Hwange National Park hosts incredibly high concentrations, best seen crowding around pumped waterholes between August and October.
African Wild Dogs
Mana Pools and Hwange are strongholds for these endangered predators; best spotted during denning season from June to August.
White Rhinos
Matobo National Park offers a rare chance to track these prehistoric-looking mammals on foot year-round.
Hippos & Crocodiles
The Zambezi River is packed with them; easily seen year-round on boat cruises or canoe safaris.
Lions
Hwange and Mana Pools boast healthy prides. Track them on foot or via 4x4 during the dry season.
Carmine Bee-eaters
Thousands of these vibrant birds nest in the sandy banks of the Zambezi River between September and November.
Hidden Gems
Off-the-beaten-path spots most tourists miss.
Chinhoyi Caves
Vibrant, crystal-clear blue limestone pools located northwest of Harare, popular with technical scuba divers.
Eastern Highlands
Misty mountains, pine forests, and dramatic waterfalls near the Mozambique border, offering a completely different climate.
Gonarezhou National Park
A rugged, remote wilderness featuring the stunning red Chilojo Cliffs and massive, tusked elephants.
Lake Kariba Houseboats
Drift on a massive man-made lake watching wildlife on the Matusadona shores from the deck of a boat.
Food & Drink
Sadza
The staple maize meal porridge, usually served thick alongside a meat stew and leafy greens.
Nyama Choma
Roasted or braaied meat, a staple of Zimbabwean social gatherings and weekend barbecues.
Mopane Worms
A protein-rich local delicacy, often dried and fried with tomatoes and onions for a crunchy snack.
Bota
A thin porridge flavoured with peanut butter, milk, or butter, typically eaten for breakfast.
Dovi
A traditional, rich peanut butter stew made with chicken, garlic, and locally grown vegetables.
Zambezi Lager
The local beer of choice, perfect for a sundowner after a hot and dusty safari day.
Where to Stay
Our handpicked recommendations across every budget tier.
Shopping & Souvenirs
Shona Stone Sculpture
Intricate hand-carved soapstone.
Binga Baskets
Woven geometric palm baskets.
Copper Jewellery
Handcrafted bracelets and rings.
Beadwork
Handmade wire and bead animals.
Batik Fabrics
Vibrant printed local textiles.
Baobab Oil
Natural, locally sourced skincare.
Festivals & Events
| Month | Festival / Holiday | Where | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb | Victoria Falls Marathon | Victoria Falls | A scenic marathon route crossing the Zambezi bridge. |
| Apr | Harare International Festival of the Arts | Harare | Six days of theatre, music, and visual arts. |
| Aug | Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival | Harare/Bulawayo | Primary school children performing traditional Zimbabwean dances. |
| Sep | Shoko Festival | Harare | Urban culture, hip hop, comedy, and spoken word. |
| Oct | Jacaranda Music Festival | Harare | Live music under the city's blooming purple jacaranda trees. |
| Dec | Victoria Falls Carnival | Victoria Falls | A massive three-day New Year's Eve music festival. |
Language & Useful Phrases
| English | Shona | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Mhoro | mho-ro |
| Thank you | Ndatenda | nda-ten-da |
| Please | Ndapota | nda-po-ta |
| Yes | Ehe | e-he |
| No | Kwete | kwe-te |
| How much? | Zvingani? | zvi-nga-ni |
| Where is...? | Kupi...? | ku-pi |
| Excuse me | Pamusoroi | pa-mu-so-ro-i |
| Goodbye | Sara mushe | sa-ra mu-she |
| Cheers | Kufara | ku-fa-ra |
Safety
Overview
- Overall
- Moderate to High
- Petty Crime
- Moderate in city centres
- Health Risks
- Malaria in low-lying areas
- Solo Female
- ⚠️ Safe but requires vigilance
- At Night
- No
Emergency Numbers
- Police
- 995
- Ambulance
- 994
- Fire
- 993
- Tourist Help
- Your embassy
Culture & Etiquette
Do: Greet people properly
Take time to ask 'How are you?' before launching into a request or question. Rushing is considered rude.
Do: Use your right hand
Always pass or receive items, especially money, with your right hand or both hands as a sign of respect.
Don't: Photograph government buildings
Taking photos of police, military personnel, or official structures is strictly prohibited and can lead to arrest.
Don't: Wear camouflage clothing
It is illegal for civilians, including tourists, to wear any form of military-style camouflage print in Zimbabwe.
Packing Checklist
- Neutral-coloured safari clothes
- Sturdy walking boots
- High-DEET insect repellent
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Binoculars
- Type G plug adapter
- Small USD bills (post-2013)
- Sun hat
- Fleece jacket (for cold mornings)
- Headlamp
- Swimwear
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Reusable water bottle
- Power bank
- Sunscreen
- Camera with zoom lens
Sample Itineraries
01
Arrive in Victoria Falls
Settle in and take a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River to spot hippos.
02
Tour Victoria Falls
Walk the falls on the Zimbabwe side and visit the local craft markets in town.
03
Transfer to Hwange
Drive or fly to Hwange National Park and head out for an afternoon game drive.
04
Hwange Safari
Spend the day tracking massive elephant herds and looking for lions around the pumped waterholes.
05
Hwange Safari
Explore the southern pans of the park, keeping an eye out for wild dogs and cheetahs.
06
Bulawayo & Matobo Hills
Drive to Bulawayo, then head straight into the dramatic granite kopjes of Matobo.
07
Rhino Tracking
Track endangered white rhinos on foot with an armed park ranger in Matobo National Park.
08
Great Zimbabwe Monument
Drive east to explore the ancient, sprawling stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe.
09
Transfer to Harare
Drive up to the capital, enjoying dinner in the leafy northern suburbs of the city.
10
Fly to Mana Pools
Take a light aircraft into the remote, untamed wilderness of Mana Pools National Park.
11
Mana Pools Walking Safari
Walk the floodplains with an expert guide to safely approach wildlife on foot.
12
Mana Pools Canoeing
Paddle the Zambezi River, dodging hippos and spotting elephants drinking from the banks.
13
Final Safari Day
Enjoy one last morning game drive and sundowners by the river to conclude your safari.
14
Depart via Harare
Fly back to Harare for your onward international connection.
Beyond Zimbabwe
Suggested Budget Breakdown
How to allocate your daily travel budget in Zimbabwe.
Combine Zimbabwe With
Popular multi-country trip combinations.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe + 🇿🇲 Zambia
Experience both sides of Victoria Falls, adding a Lower Zambezi canoe trip in Zambia. Duration: 7–10 days.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe + 🇧🇼 Botswana
Combine the walking safaris of Hwange with the mokoro water safaris of the Okavango Delta. Duration: 10–14 days.
🇿🇦 South Africa + 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Start with Cape Town's wine lands before flying to Victoria Falls for a classic safari finish. Duration: 12–15 days.
Common Questions