馃悩 Zimbabwe

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Practical information

Entry

Visa requirements depend on your passport. A Zimbabwean embassy or the Zimbabwe Department of Immigration is the place to check, ahead of booking. According to sources, a visa can be obtained on arrival, or applied for in advance online as an e-Visa that should be requested well ahead of the trip. Only certain nationalities can use the KAZA Univisa, which covers Zimbabwe plus Zambia for Victoria Falls; enquire about eligibility. A passport with 6 months of validity, hotel details and a return ticket should be brought. A yellow fever certificate is required of arrivals from a risk country. Talk to a doctor about preventing malaria.

Culture and practical - take note

Zimbabweans are well educated and polite: start with a greeting and shake hands. Political discussion should be avoided, and government, police and military sites must not be photographed; permission is needed for drones. Cash is widely used in US dollars, in small notes, while card machines and the power supply can be unreliable, so keep cash on hand, and copies of your passport too. Around wildlife, keep to guided walks and boat trips; do not swim in rivers, as crocodiles and hippos live there, and avoid walking after dark. Victoria Falls is impressive, though spray during the wet season, roughly March to May, may hide the view. Guides and drivers are tipped. Outside Harare, there is only limited halal food.

Emergency

Police 999. Ask your hotel or operator for ambulance and fire numbers.

Good to know

Currencies, cards and cash

Zimbabwe uses several currencies. UK advice says the US dollar is used for most payments, while the Zimbabwe Gold was introduced in April 2024. Foreign cards are not always accepted, and Canadian advice says cash withdrawals with an international card can be very difficult, so bring enough US dollars for the stay. UK advice says to carry small notes, as change is scarce and torn notes may be refused. Exchanging money anywhere but a licensed dealer is illegal.

Local laws and customs

Camouflage, photos and gatherings

UK advice says it is illegal for civilians to wear camouflage clothing, to photograph government offices, airports, military sites, police or protests, or to make insulting comments about the President. Canadian advice adds that demonstrations and gatherings need government approval beforehand, and that carrying rough or cut stones without a permit is prohibited. Both describe severe drug penalties. UK advice says to carry a copy of the passport photo page and visa. Both say same-sex sexual acts are illegal.

Taxis and scams

Hotel-recommended taxis

Taxi service in Zimbabwe exists only in major cities, and taxis usually will not travel more than about 20 km beyond city limits, says Canadian advice. Taxis recommended by hotels are normally reliable, it adds, and it recommends booking through your hotel or an authorized taxi centre. UK advice likewise describes hotel-recommended taxis as usually reliable.

Fake notes and card fraud

Counterfeit banknotes are in circulation in Zimbabwe, Canadian advice says, and currency should be changed only at registered exchange offices. Fraud involving credit cards and ATMs is also reported, so watch carefully when others handle your card, and scrutinize any unsolicited business proposal.

Who can help

local government

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)

Helps with: Zimbabwe's national tourism authority. Its contact page gives the head office in Harare, with a phone and email, and a regional office in Victoria Falls.

Who qualifies: Anyone planning or taking a trip to Zimbabwe.

Phone: +263 242 758 714

Email: [email protected]

Address: Tourism House, 55 Samora Machel Avenue, Harare

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority - Victoria Falls Office

Helps with: The tourism authority's regional office listed for Victoria Falls on its contact page, with its own phone and email.

Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Victoria Falls or planning a trip there.

Phone: +263 832 844 380

Email: [email protected]

Address: Shop 14 & 15, Galleria Building

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Emergency numbers 999 and 995 (national numbering plan)

Helps with: The regulator's numbering plan lists 999 as the general fixed-line emergency number for fire, ambulance and police, and 995 for police. It lists other codes for mobile networks. The document is old.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Zimbabwe needing emergency services; mobile users should check their network's code.

Phone: 999

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe

Helps with: The UN migration agency, in Zimbabwe since 1985. It works on migration management and crisis response, including help with reintegration, and runs a migration health assessment centre.

Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-affected people in Zimbabwe. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +263 867 700 9721

Address: 10 Duthie Avenue, Alexandra Park, Harare

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Victoria Falls Victoria FallsRafting, bungee jumping, rainforest viewpoints, Zambezi cruises and helicopter flights are on offer in this town next to the giant waterfall.Photo: Bgabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 Hwange National Park Hwange National ParkZimbabwe's largest park is known for large elephant herds, with lions and wild dogs also gathering at waterholes during the dry season.Photo: JackyR, CC BY-SA 3.0 Harare HarareBusy markets, stone-sculpture parks, botanical gardens and the National Gallery are found in the capital and business hub.Photo: Radozw at Serbian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Lake Kariba Lake KaribaHouseboats are the best way to see this huge man-made lake, which lies on the Zambezi, for sunsets, fishing and shore wildlife.Photo: ISS Expedition 4 Crew, Public domain Great Zimbabwe Great ZimbabweThe country takes its name from this medieval African city, whose UNESCO-listed stone ruins remain.Photo: Andrew Moore from Johannesburg, South Africa, CC BY-SA 2.0 Mana Pools National Park Mana Pools National ParkThis remote, UNESCO-listed Zambezi floodplain is known for safaris on foot and by canoe among elephants.Photo: Babakathy, CC0

City selection based on: Safari operator and travel guides plus UNESCO site listings

Festivals and events

festival

Victoria Falls Carnival (New Year)

around Dec 2026 路 Victoria Falls

Music festival lasting three days, held at the falls.

sport

ICC Cricket World Cup 2027

around Oct-Nov 2027 路 Harare

Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa share the hosting.

Official site

festival

Victoria Falls Carnival (New Year)

around Dec 2027 路 Victoria Falls

Music festival lasting three days, held at the falls.