Zimbabwe is mid-summer at Christmas and our winter is from May to August. Winter days are very similar to summer days with only a slight difference in temperature. The rainy season lasts from November to March and is usually punctuated by spectacular electrical storms. At 1470m, Harare is always cool at night and can be fairly cold during the winter months.
Zimbabwe covers an area of 391 109 square kilometers. It is situated between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers in Southern Central Africa. Our neighbors are Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa.
The population is over 11 million including some significant minorities of Asians and Europeans totaling about 95 000 together. The official language is English, understood and spoken by almost all urban dwellers and younger people in rural areas. The other two national languages are Shona and Sindebele and are spoken by almost 90% of the population. Click here for some useful Shona and Ndebele phrases.
The Zimbabwe Dollar is divided into 100 cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 1c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50, Z$1 and Z$2. Notes are issued in denominations of Z$5, Z$10, Z$20, Z$50 and Z$100.
Foreign money can be exchanged at banks, Bureau de Change and at most hotels.
Normal banking hours are 08:30 to 15:00 on weekdays (13:00 on Wednesdays) 08:30 to 11:30 on Saturdays.
You may bring in up to Z$500 and any amount of foreign currency in bank notes. The total amount must be declared to Customs at entry otherwise only the equivalent of US$200 will be allowed to be re-exported on your departure.
Measurements are all metric in Zimbabwe.
Prophylactic treatment against Malaria should be taken when visiting anywhere outside Harare (except the Eastern Highlands) Some strains of Malaria are becoming resistant to Chloroquine. Always check carefully that your pharmacist is prescribing the latest and most effective form of Malaria treatment.
Condoms can easily be purchased over the counter in most general stores, supermarkets and pharmacies. Both local and imported varieties are widely available.
Seriously high factor (15+) Sun barrier cream and a hat are recommended for all foreign visitors.
You are not required to possess a valid Vaccination Certificate against Cholera. A Yellow Fever vaccination is only required by visitors travelling into Zimbabwe from countries known to be Yellow Fever areas.
STD dialing is possible to anywhere in Zimbabwe on a usually automated system. Dialing codes are as follows: 110 to obtain the international satellite, then 44 to the UK, 1 for the USA and Canada, 27 for South Africa and 61 for Australia.
To dial into Zimbabwe use your country's international code and then dial 263 followed by 4 for Harare, 9 for Bulawayo, 54 for Gweru, 13 for Victoria Falls and 61 for Kariba.
Public phones are available in most main centres. They consist of conventional coin operated call boxes and card phones. Cards can be bought at the post office.
Mailing letters in Zimbabwe takes an average of 2-4 days; whilst to Europe it takes a week to ten days. For the rest of the world allow two weeks.
Zimbabwe's cellular networks do not at this stage support international roaming however mobile phones can be hired easily from hotels and at the airport.
If you are not staying for longer than six months, you may enter Zimbabwe with a minimum of formalities. All you need is a valid passport, a return ticket (or enough money to buy one) and sufficient funds to cover your stay in Zimbabwe.
The nationals of the following countries do not need visas:
Nationals of Zimbabwe.
British subjects being "Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies".
Nationals of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, France (including French Departments and Territories), Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Reunion, St. Pierre & Miquelon, French Polynesia, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Crozet Archipelago, Kerguelen Islands, St. Paul, Nouvelle, Amsterdam and Terre Adelie, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, The Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, St. Lucia, (West Indies) Samoa (Western), San Marino, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States of America and Zambia.
Visa application forms are obtainable from the Department of Immigration Control, P bag 7717, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe or from any Zimbabwe High Commission, Trade Mission or Trade Embassy abroad.
All visitors will be required to pay an equivalent of US$20 when leaving the country by air. The revenue stamp can be bought at the Airport or any post office.
Your personal possessions, which are not intended for disposal or consumption in Zimbabwe, are allowed entry duty-free. Consumable goods, which are not merchandise imported for trade purposes, may be imported up to Z$1000 per person.
Alcoholic beverages may be included within this allowance by persons 18yrs and over, subject to a limit of 5 litres per person, of which no more than 2 litres can be spirits. Family members may aggregate their allowances.
| New Year's Day | 1 January |
| Easter Weekend | 10, 11, 12 and 13 April |
| Independence Day | 18 April |
| Africa Day | 25 May |
| Heroes Day | 11 August |
| Defence Forces Day | 12 August |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December |
1st Thursday of April to 1st Tuesday of May
1st Thursday of August to 1st Tuesday of September
1st Thursday of December to 1st Tuesday of January
If carried they must be declared at customs.
International driving permits issued in Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland are valid in Zimbabwe. A visitor from any other country may, for 90 days or more depending on the country of issue, use a valid driving licence issued by the competent authority in that country. If not printed in English, it should contain a certificate of authority and validity, or a translation of the text with the bearer's photograph attached.