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On your trip to Zimbabwe, a world of opportunities awaits: spectacular views of the renownedVictoria Falls, wildlife adventures in national parks such as Hwange National Park with its large herds of elephants and Matobo National Park, where leopards roam freely and birds of prey soar in the sky, and scenic wonders such as Lake Kariba, and the Chilojo Cliffs and Chivilla waterfalls of Gonarezhou National Park.
For the most part, Zimbabwe is a safe country. However, visitors need to remain vigilant on busy streets and keep their belongings within their sight.
Zimbabwe Travel Advice for Cities, Safari and Self-drives
Zimbabwe travel advice for cities
- We advise you to carry a copy of your documents. The local police or immigration officials might ask to see your passport and other travel documents.
- Zimbabwe’s local currency is the Zimbabwe dollar, but the US dollar is also accepted in most establishments and accommodations. The local vendors also accept international credit cards. However, note that visitors cannot leave Zimbabwe with cash more than equal to 2000 USD.
- Avoid travelling alone at night or visiting remote locations on your own. Avoid wearing flashy jewellery and store all your valuables in a hotel safe, locked away until you need them again.
- Carry money only required for your daily expenses. An amount of 110 USD should be sufficient for your daily expenses, provided that your accommodations, meals, and transportation are included in the safari package.
Zimbabwe travel advice for safaris
- As with all safari destinations, listen to your guide and always follow their instructions while on game drives and walks. In addition, when staying in safari camps/lodges, follow the safety rules about walking around and always keep within the property boundary as guided by the staff.
- In Victoria Falls (and other safari destinations), there are a diverse range of activities to choose from, ranging from a relaxed sunset cruise and gentle canoe down the Zambezi to thrilling bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls bridge and exhilarating white rafting down the Zambezi rapids. All these activities come with safety procedures so ensure you always follow them.
Zimbabwe travel advice for self-drives
- Rent a 4WD vehicle on your Zimbabwe self-drive safari, which are ideal for highways as well as rough terrains. The legal age for driving a car you own is 16, but the age limit for renting a car in Zimbabwe is 21.
- On a Zimbabwe self-driving tour, you need to carry the following documents: driving license, international driving permit, registration details and insurance details. Carrying a passport copy is also recommended.
- In Zimbabwe, you drive on the left-hand side of the road. The passengers in the front seat are legally required to wear seatbelts.
- The speed limit for rural regions and highways is 120kph. However, the speed limit in cities is 60 kph. You can’t use your phones while driving in Zimbabwe. Only hands-free phone operations are permitted. The legal blood alcohol content limit is 80 mg.
- Always carry extra snacks and water. It should tide you over in case your vehicle breaks down. You’ll also need a phone with a good network in the regions you are planning to visit.
- If you have plans to head over to the remote regions in Zimbabwe, consider carrying emergency fuel. It isn’t always easy to find a petrol station nearby, but you can fill up the tank at the numerous petrol stations found in the cities and towns.
- Don’t forget to carry some cash required to pay the tolls along the major roads in Zimbabwe.
Emergency contact numbers and codes
We are sharing a few emergency contact numbers and codes that you can use to reach out to the appropriate department whenever you are in trouble during your stay in Zimbabwe.
- Police: 995
- Ambulance: 994
- All emergencies: 999
- Fire department: 993
Refer to road safe Zimbabwe’s informative contact number list
for more details.
Zimbabwe travel advisory resources
- United Kingdom: UK Travel Advisory
- United States: US Travel Advisory
- Canada: Canada Travel Advisory
- Australia: Australia Travel Advisory
- Ireland: Ireland Travel Advisory
- New Zealand: New Zealand Travel Advisory