Zimbabwe Mini Guide
   Source: World Travel Guide

Overview

Zimbabwe boasts some amazing natural sites. The Victoria Falls are without a doubt one of the world’s grandest natural spectacles and every viewpoint reveals something new. Running from northeast to southwest down the centre of the country, and connecting its two largest cities, is the Highveld, a chain of low mountains and Zimbabwe’s most populous area.

Zimbabwe also offers some of the best wildlife parks in southern Africa. From the forested mountains of the Eastern highlands to the sun-washed grasslands of Hwange National Park, from the hot Mopani Forest to the shores of Lake Kariba, more than 11%  of Zimbabwe’s land – 44,688 sq km (17,254 sq miles) – has been set aside as parks and wildlife estates. There are also several botanical gardens, sanctuaries and more than a dozen national safari areas for hunting (an activity that helps to finance the conservation programme and is strictly controlled).

Present-day Zimbabwe was the site of a large and complex African civilisation in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was populated by descendants of the Bantu tribes, who had migrated from the north around the 10th century. Evidence of their mainly pastoral lifestyle may still be seen in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, near the present-day town of Masvingo.

The first contact with Europeans was with the Portuguese at the end of the 15th century. Relations between the two were fairly stable until the 1830s, when the region was thrown into upheaval by the northward migration of the Ndebele people from South Africa.

At this point, a new aggressive breed of colonists arrived in the form of British mining interests led by Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company (BSAC).  The BSAC took control of the country - which they called ‘Southern Rhodesia' - until 1923, when it became, nominally, a British colony.

From 1953-63, Southern Rhodesia formed part of the Central African Federation with neighbouring Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and Nyasaland (now Malawi). In 1965, to resist decolonisation, the settlers - with South African support - issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). This triggered a bitter civil war between the white minority government and fighters for African independence, ending only in 1980, with the granting of independence and the holding of a general election under British auspices, which was won decisively by Robert Mugabe's ZANU party.

 
Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months beyond date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Three blank pages are needed.

Passport Note

All visitors to Zimbabwe must be in possession of return tickets (or funds in lieu) and sufficient funds to support themselves. The granting of a visa is not a guarantee of entry.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of Cyprus, Ireland and Malta;
(b) passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 6 hours by the same or connecting flight, provided holding tickets with reserved seats and documents for onward travel and not leaving the transit area.

2. Nationals of the following countries may obtain visas valid for up to 90 days on arrival in Zimbabwe, provided holding tickets and documents for return or onward travel and sufficient funds for their stay: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Visa at port of entry: cost dependent on nationality, British nationals £36 or US$55 single-entry, US$70 double-entry; contact consular section at embassy for further details.

Validity

Six months from date of issue.

Applications to:

Embassy; see Contact Addresses. For multiple-entry visas, travellers must apply direct to the Chief Immigration Officer in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Working Days Required

Seven.

Money

Currency

Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD; symbol Z$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Z$200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of Z$5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

The government of Zimbabwe devalued the Zimbabwean Dollar in 2006 and deducted three zeros from the currency. 1,000,000 old Zimbabwean Dollars (issued as bearer cheques) are now worth 1,000 new Zimbabwean Dollars (bearer cheques). Since August 2006, only the new money (bearer cheques) has been valid.

Currency Exchange

Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at bureaux de change, banks and major hotels at the official exchange rate.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, whilst MasterCard has more limited use. Some ATMs accept credit cards.

Traveller's Cheques

Banks and major hotels will exchange these. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri 0800-1500, Wed 0800-1300 and Sat 0800-1130.

Health

Vaccinations

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Food and Drink

All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised.

Other Risks

Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. HIV/AIDS is a high risk throughout the country and precautions should be taken. Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes advised.

Health Care

Medical facilities are good in the major towns and there are well-equipped clinics in most outlying areas, although medical costs can be high. There may be drugs shortages in public hospitals. Health insurance is essential; adequate medical provision is often only provided privately, especially in urban areas. Private hospitals may require health insurance or a cash payment before admission.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Air Zimbabwe (UM) (website: www.airzim.co.zw). 

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Harare is 10 hours 30 minutes. There are direct flights connecting London with Victoria Falls. Connections from the capital to Bulawayo take approximately one hour.

Main Airports

Harare (HRE) is 14km (9 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Coaches run at regular intervals to the city (journey time – 20 minutes). Taxis are available. Facilities: Post office, restaurant, duty-free shop and bank/bureau de change.

Bulawayo (BUQ) is 24km (15 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Limited bus and taxi services are available.

Victoria Falls (VFA) is 22km (13 miles) from the town. To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services are available. Facilities: Bureau de change, duty-free shop, bars, restaurant and car hire.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (website: www.caaz.co.zm) is responsible for air travel and airports in Zimbabwe.

Departure Tax

US$20. Children under two years and transit passengers (within 24 hours) are exempt.

Getting There by Rail

There are train connections from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia.

Getting There by Road

There are roads from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Off the main routes (Beitbridge and Victoria Falls), travel conditions are often difficult during heavy rains. Border posts are generally open from 0600-1800, although the more popular route through Beitbridge is open from 0600-2230. For details, contact the embassy or high commission (see Contact Addresses).

Climate

Although located in the tropics, temperate conditions prevail all year, as the climate is moderated by altitude and the inland position of the country. The hot and dry season is from August to October, and the rainy season from November to March. The best months to visit are April to May and August to September. Night-time temperatures can fall below freezing.

Required Clothing

Light- to mediumweights with warmer clothes for evenings and rainwear for the wet season.

Contacts

Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the UK

Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR, UK
Tel: (020) 7836 7755.
Website: www.zimbabweembassy-uk.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 0900-1230 (visa section).

Zimbabwe Tourism Office in the UK

Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR, UK
Tel: (020) 7836 7755.
Website: www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw

Embassy of Zimbabwe in the USA

1608 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 332 7100.
Website: www.zimbabwe-embassy.us

Zimbabwe Tourism Office in the USA

128 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (212) 486 3444.
Website: www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw