Zimbabwe travel guide

Getting there

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare and Victoria Falls International Airport are the main gateways; land borders connect with Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique.

Best time to visit: May–Oct – dry season, best for safaris.

Tougher months: December-March – the heaviest rains make some roads and parks hard to access, though the scenery is lush.

Weather by month in Harare

• 26°J●●●
• 26°F●●
• 26°M●●
• 26°A●
• 24°M
• 22°J
• 22°J
• 24°A
• 28°S
• 29°O●
• 28°N●●
• 26°D●●●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Maputo. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 144 of 198 other passports can enter Zimbabwe without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 54 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Zimbabwe (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2023-06-27). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Zimbabwe travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Zimbabwe are based around Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park or Mana Pools National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$40–60 for a backpacker and US$120–250 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Zimbabwe page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: D, G. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +263.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Victoria Falls (Matabeleland North · falls & adventure): The town and national park offer the best panoramic views of the falls plus rafting, bungee and gorge swings.
• Hwange National Park (Northwest · safari): Zimbabwe's largest park, famous for huge elephant herds and big cats.
• Mana Pools National Park (North · Zambezi wilderness): A UNESCO-listed floodplain where guided walks and canoe safaris bring you close to wildlife.
• Great Zimbabwe (Masvingo · ruins): The largest ancient stone structures in sub-Saharan Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Matobo National Park (Near Bulawayo · hills & rock art): Balancing granite kopjes, rhino tracking and some of Africa's richest rock art.
• Lake Kariba (North · lake): A huge lake with houseboats, fishing and wildlife-rich shores including Matusadona National Park.
• Eastern Highlands (Manicaland · mountains): Cool, green mountains around Nyanga, Bvumba and Chimanimani, ideal for hiking.
• Harare (Capital · city): Jacaranda-lined avenues, galleries, markets and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Things to do

• Victoria Falls panorama. Follow the rainforest path for sweeping views of the falls' full curtain of water from the Zimbabwean side.
• Great Zimbabwe. Walk among the soaring stone walls and Great Enclosure of the medieval city that gave the nation its name.
• Canoe in Mana Pools. Paddle the Zambezi past elephants and hippos in one of Africa's most beautiful wilderness parks.
• Hwange elephants. Watch herds of elephants gather at waterholes in the country's largest national park.
• Matobo Hills. Track rhinos on foot and see ancient San rock paintings among towering balancing boulders.
• Zambezi sunset cruise. Drift upstream from the falls as the sky glows orange and hippos surface beside the boat.
• Eastern Highlands hiking. Climb into cool, misty mountains of pine forests, waterfalls and tea estates around Nyanga and Chimanimani.
• Lake Kariba houseboat. Spend lazy days fishing and watching wildlife on the shores of the vast lake.

Source: full Zimbabwe guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Sadza – stiff maize porridge with stew
• Nyama – grilled or stewed meat
• Muriwo une dovi – greens in peanut butter sauce
• Mopane worms – a traditional crunchy snack

Source: RoamSun Zimbabwe guide

Money and safety

Currency: Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG); US dollar widely used (ZWG). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Appreciated – around 10% in restaurants and tips for guides.

Emergency numbers: 995 police · 994 ambulance · 993 fire · 999.

• Zimbabwe uses US dollars widely alongside its own local currency; bring plenty of small US dollar notes in good condition.
• International cards work at many hotels and lodges, but ATMs can be unreliable, so carry enough cash.
• Most visits are trouble-free, but avoid political gatherings and demonstrations, and check your government's latest travel advice.
• Petty crime occurs in cities – avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables discreet.

Source: RoamSun Zimbabwe facts