Zimbabwe

With more than a passing resemblance to a National Geographic best-of issue, Zimbabwe is a beautiful country to visit. It boasts the majestic Victoria Falls, magnificent wildlife preserves and the medieval ruins of Great Zimbabwe, as well as the bustling city of Harare.

Whether you are lying in a tent listening to hippos snuffle in the river nearby or shaking your booty at an all-night Afro-jazz jam, there's more than enough elbow room to raise a bucket of chibuku to your lips and toast this fascinating country.

When To Go

The dry winter months (May to October) are the most comfortable for travelling, but you'll miss the green landscapes that characterise the hotter and wetter summer season (November to April). In winter, night-time temperatures can fall below freezing but the days are best for wildlife viewing because animals tend to concentrate close to water holes and are therefore easily observed. National parks are most crowded during South African school holidays, so to avoid the throngs, avoid mid-April to mid-May and mid-July to mid-September. There's a secondary rush around the Namibian school holidays in December and early January.

Climate

Remarkably temperate conditions prevail all year round, moderated by the country altitude and its inland position, which keeps the humidity comfortably low.  Mean monthly temperatures during October, the hottest month, range from 22°C on the high central plateau to 30°C in the low-lying Zambezi Valley.  Mid-winter temperatures (July) are around 13°C on the highveld and 20°C in the Zambezi Valley.  Winter evenings can get very cold and the winters are dry.  The rainy season is from November - April.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD) which is divided in 100 cents. Some of the commercial banks in Zimbabwe are First National Bank, Zimbank Ltd., Standard Bank, Bank of Credit and Commerce. Major hotels have foreign currency facilities. Most shops, lodges and travel agencies will accept traveller’s cheques. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards are accepted in many places. If travelling from South Africa, you are allowed to carry a maximum of R500.00 in cash out of the country. You must therefore carry the balance of your spending money in traveller’s cheques.

Bank hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 08:00 – 15:00

Dress

Dress in Zimbabwe is generally casual (while hotels allow casual dress during the day, men are expected to wear collar, tie and jacket after 18:30 at hotels such as Victoria Falls Hotel). Sundresses and shorts are permissible, though scanty clothing should not be worn in public in the larger towns. In spring and summer cool, comfortable clothing should be worn. A lightweight jersey or jacket is advisable for the evenings. Please also remember a raincoat for the summer season. In the winter, warmer clothing is required particularly in the evenings when the temperatures can drop to zero. Always take precautions against the sun (even in winter), and take sun block, sunglasses and a sun hat.

Health

No vaccinations are currently required for entry into Zimbabwe when arrival is directly from North America or Europe. We recommend that boosters of tetanus for children and adults are up to date; other courses or boosters that are usually advised are diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and typhoid. Consult your doctor or specialist travel clinic for advice.

A yellow fever certificate is required if the visitor is over one year old and entering from or been in transit through an infected area or a country where yellow fever is endemic (such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda or Zaire).  Yellow fever vaccinations must be administered at least ten days before arrival (or re-entry) into Zimbabwe.

Malaria precautions are essential in the Zambezi Valley (including Victoria Falls) throughout the year and in all other areas below 1200m from November to June. Risk is small in areas above 1200m including Harare. There are several safe and effective options for adults and children alike. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset. You are advised to use insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Prompt investigation of fever or flu like symptoms anytime within six weeks of travel is essential.

As with all travel to remote places in developing countries, it is worth spending a little time to make sure you are well prepared. Have a small supply of any medicines you might need to treat minor ailments and carry a course of emergency ‘standby’ treatment for malaria. As a precaution boil or sterilise drinking water outside main towns, or buy bottled water.

Languages

English, Shona and Ndebele, with the official language being English.

Local time

GMT + 2 hours

Visas/Passports

Passports are required by all except for holders of United Nations Convention Travel documents.  Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after the date of your holiday with plenty of clear pages for stamps. Citizens of Britain and the commonwealth and the USA require visas. These are obtainable at the point of entry. 

FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU CARRY A PHOTOCOPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT AND ANY OTHER IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WITH YOU. WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT IN ADDITION, YOU LEAVE COPIES WITH SOMEONE AT HOME.