Zimbabwe

At A glance

Capital City: Harare

Land size: 386,847 sq km

Population: 15,121,004 (2022 est.)

Official languages: Shona (official; most widely spoken), Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken), English (official; traditionally used for official business) and 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa)

Currency: Zimbabwe dollar ($ / ZWL)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Great Zimbabwe National Monument
• Khami Ruins National Monument
• Matobo Hills
• Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas
• Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zimbabwe/


Zimbabwe's diverse landscapes, iconic wildlife, and vibrant culture offer endless opportunities for unforgettable vacations. Journey to the pristine wilderness of Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and catch a glimpse of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife. Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Zimbabwean people, experiencing their rich traditions and savoring their flavorful cuisine.

Zimbabwe’s untamed beauty and rich heritage form the perfect backdrop for a wonderful horse riding vacation. Begin your journey in Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders, and experience the thrill of riding along the Zambezi River. Discover the iconic wildlife of Hwange National Park from the back of a horse, where encounters with elephants, lions, and buffalo create unforgettable memories.

 

Brief History

The hunter-gatherer San people first inhabited the area that eventually became Zimbabwe. Farming communities migrated to the area around A.D. 500 during the Bantu expansion, and Shona-speaking societies began to develop in the Limpopo valley and Zimbabwean highlands around the 9th century. These societies traded with Arab merchants on the Indian Ocean coast and organized under the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 11th century. A series of powerful trade-oriented Shona states succeeded Mapungubwe, including the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (ca. 1220-1450), Kingdom of Mutapa (ca. 1450-1760), and the Rozwi Empire. The Rozwi Empire expelled Portuguese colonists from the Zimbabwean plateau but was eventually conquered in 1838 by the Ndebele clan of Zulu general MZILIKAZI during the era of conflict and population displacement known as the Mfecane.

In the 1880s, colonists arrived with the British South Africa Company (BSAC) and obtained a written concession for mining rights from Ndebele King LOBENGULA. The king later disavowed the concession and accused the BSAC agents of deceit. The BSAC annexed Mashonaland and subsequently conquered Matabeleland by force during the First Matabele War of 1893-1894 to establish company rule over the territory. BSAC holdings south of the Zambezi River were annexed by the UK in 1923 and became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia. The 1930 Land Apportionment Act restricted Black land ownership and established structural racial inequalities that would favor the White minority for decades. A new constitution in 1961 further cemented White minority rule.

In 1965, the government under White Prime Minister Ian SMITH unilaterally declared its independence from the UK. London did not recognize Rhodesia’s independence and demanded more voting rights for the Black majority in the country. International diplomacy and a liberation struggle by Black Zimbabweans finally led to biracial elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, who led the uprising and became the nation's first prime minister, was the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) from independence until his forced resignation in November 2017.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zimbabwe/

 

Cultural Insights

Zimbabwean tribes and communities are traditionally collectivistic. People tend to put their group or family’s interests before their own, receiving support, protection and a sense of belonging in return.

Zimbabweans are often observed as being very warm, welcoming and engaging. They are also quite formal and non-confrontational. People generally seek to appease and avoid any disagreement or friction that could offend someone’s honour.

The values that underpin the norms of etiquette vary between cultures. Hence, native Zimbabweans often think that ‘varungu’ (white people) do not have hunhu/ubuntu; this is because people outside of Zimbabwe often do not follow the same social rules that constitute tsika. For example, the English-speaking West doesn’t give the same amount of reverence and respect to people based on their age. Someone who does not act according to the Zimbabwean code of politeness and social appropriateness is considered to be without manners – ‘hanna tsika’.

Source: https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/zimbabwean-culture/zimbabwean-culture-core-concepts

 

Transportation

By Air
Zimbabwe has three International Airports in three major cities. In Harare there is Robert Mugabe International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls International Airport in Victoria Falls.

There are also 17 domestic airports in the country for the convenience of tourists that prefer flying to their tourist attraction places other than travelling by road.

Source: https://zimbabwetourism.net/gettingtozimbabwe/

 

Money

Zimbabwe’s economic situation remains unpredictable. Whilst the primary legal tender in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWL), it is currently possible for tourists to transact using the US Dollar at the official exchange rate. There are some bureaux de change which will accept and change foreign currency, particularly US dollars.

Prices and transactions will mainly be in Zimbabwean dollars but US dollars are widely accepted. You should check before making a transaction whether the price quoted is in Zimbabwean or US dollars as the symbol for both is $. It is recommended to check exchange rates prior to any transaction.

You should check in advance what payment methods a restaurant, hotel or tour operator will accept. Some businesses, including some medical providers, may not accept payment by credit or debit card.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a shortage of cash. Cash withdrawals can be made at some ATMs and bank branches with an international bank card but availability cannot always be guaranteed. Credit and debit cards are increasingly being used for transactions. You should always ensure that you are being charged in the correct currency.

It’s illegal to leave Zimbabwe with more than USD $2,000 (or equivalent) in cash, unless it is left over from funds which you have brought in yourself and declared on arrival. You should keep the proof of declaration to avoid problems with officials on exit. It’s illegal to exchange foreign currency anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (e.g. banks or bureau de change). Carry small denomination notes as change is rarely available.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe

 

Health

The provision and quality of health care is variable and can be especially poor outside of the major cities.
Provincial hospitals in rural areas are rudimentary and not equipped to care for serious injuries. Serious illnesses or injuries require medical evacuation to South Africa.

There’s a shortage of drugs and trained medical staff in hospitals, making it difficult for hospitals to treat certain illnesses including accidents and trauma cases.

Private clinics will not treat patients until they pay and often require large amounts of cash before they will admit even emergency cases. An increasing number of businesses in Zimbabwe will only accept US dollars in cash, rather than credit or debit cards.

Even if payment is available some of the best hospitals are often too full to admit patients. Medical costs, particularly for evacuation, can be high. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

If you are on medication, bring sufficient supplies of your medication to cover the period of your stay. Pharmacies may not be able to provide you with the appropriate drug prescribed by your doctor.

For emergency services in Zimbabwe dial 999 for medical.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, Econet subscribers should dial 112, NetOne subscribers should dial 114 and those using landlines should dial 0800 3222 911. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Malaria risk is high from November to June, in areas below 1200m including the Zambezi Valley and Victoria Falls. There is low to no risk at all in Harare , Bulawayo, Midlands and the district of Matabeleland South.
Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.

Zimbabwe is not a yellow fever zone! This means you do not need a yellow fever vaccination to visit Zimbabwe.A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required for travellers 9 months of age and older coming from - or who are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within - a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Zimbabwe.html
https://zimbabwetourism.net/health-and-safety/

 

Electricity

Zimbabwe operates on a 220V supply voltage and uses type D and G plugs.

The Type D electrical plug has three large round pins in a triangular pattern. Type M plugs are often used alongside Type D plugs for larger appliances and as a result, some sockets work with both Type D and Type M plugs.

The Type G electrical plug has three rectangular blades in a triangular pattern and has an incorporated fuse (usually a 3 amps fuse for smaller appliances such as a computer and a 13 amps one for heavy duty appliances such as heaters). British sockets have shutters on the live and neutral contacts so that foreign objects can’t be introduced into them.

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Zimbabwe: Central Africa Time (GMT+2)

International country code – 263

Zimbabwe’s telcos continue to be affected by the country’s poor economy; this has been exacerbated by the significant economic difficulties related to the pandemic.
LTE networks have expanded steadily, though services remain concentrated in urban areas.
The expansion of 3G and LTE-based mobile broadband services has meant that most of the population has access to the internet.
The government has started a national broadband scheme aimed at delivering a 1Mb/s service nationally by 2030.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zimbabwe/

 

Entry Requirements

Zimbabwe’s visitor visa regime is split into 3 categories. Each category has different visa/entry requirements for the nationals within the categories. The specifics of the categories are:
Category A – visa not required to have a visa to travel to Zimbabwe
Category B – visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe (fees apply)
Category C – visa to be obtained before travel to Zimbabwe

You can check to which category you belong by clicking the link below: https://www.evisa.gov.zw/regime

Source: https://zimbabwetourism.net/visas-and-immigration/

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Harare
2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill
Harare
Tel: +263 867 701

Embassy of Canada in Harare
45 Baines Avenue
Harare
Tel: +263 86 7700 8600

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

 

UNESCO Sites

Great Zimbabwe National Monument
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe – the capital of the Queen of Sheba, according to an age-old legend – are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. The city, which covers an area of nearly 80 ha, was an important trading centre and was renowned from the Middle Ages onwards.

Khami Ruins National Monument
Khami, which developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe had been abandoned in the mid-16th century, is of great archaeological interest. The discovery of objects from Europe and China shows that Khami was a major centre for trade over a long period of time.

Matobo Hills
The area exhibits a profusion of distinctive rock landforms rising above the granite shield that covers much of Zimbabwe. The large boulders provide abundant natural shelters and have been associated with human occupation from the early Stone Age right through to early historical times, and intermittently since. They also feature an outstanding collection of rock paintings. The Matobo Hills continue to provide a strong focus for the local community, which still uses shrines and sacred places closely linked to traditional, social and economic activities.




Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas
On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the floodplains. The area is home to a remarkable concentration of wild animals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards and cheetahs. An important concentration of Nile crocodiles is also be found in the area.




Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than 2 km wide at this point, plunges noisily down a series of basalt gorges and raises an iridescent mist that can be seen more than 20 km away.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/zw