Zimbabwe

Watch Victoria Falls plunging spectacularly into the Zambezi River, and discover why this is Africa’s adrenalin sports capital with a thrilling bungy jump, white water raft or scenic flight over the thundering waterfalls

Discover striking granite formations, vaulted caves and ancient rock paintings on a walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Matobo Hills

Seek out the iconic Big 5 on an unforgettable safari drive through Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve

Despite lying in a tropical zone, Zimbabwe’s generally high altitudes produce a beautiful and moderate climate, meaning higher temperatures from November to April (summer) and lower temperatures from May to October (winter). Temperatures are never very extreme (7°C in winter is considered freezing and 35°C in summer considered boiling). The warm, wet season (November to May) should provide the year’s rain. Days are sunny with a dramatic afternoon/evening thunderstorm.

Zimbabwe is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Shona (official), Ndebele (official), English (official; used for government/business), 13 minority languages (official, incl. Xhosa)

From April 2024, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe announced the introduction of a new currency, Zimbabwe gold (ZiG), to replace the Zimbabwe dollar ($ZWL). This affects the local purchase of goods such as supermarkets, local shops, fuel stations, local businesses etc.

For local purchase of goods, payments can only be made using the Zimbabwe gold (ZiG), Our local guides will advise you while on tour as to how best to handle the situation and also assist with changing money at appropriate bank tellers or currency exchanges when needed. Change only what you need for drinks and snack purchases, and local goods/souvenirs.

Payment in tourism areas such as Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park is still in US Dollars Cash, including the entrance fee to Victoria Falls, national park fees, KAZA Univisa and visa entry fees, tourism activities, hotel extras, etc.

Take sufficient cash to cover your needs for the duration of your travel. We recommend that you travel with USD cash (printed from 2009 onwards), EUR or ZAR cash. You cannot get any foreign currency in Zimbabwe so bring this with you. Large denomination bills such as 50’s or 100’s are not accepted so we recommend bringing smaller denominations while you are travelling.

For US Dollars Cash, do not bring any older issued notes with “small heads” (pre 2009) as they are not accepted in Zimbabwe or Zambia. It is important that you ensure that your notes are clean and undamaged, as many banks and currency exchanges will not accept dirty, damaged or torn notes. Please also avoid bringing US$100 notes, as there is a high incidence of forged notes around and they may not be accepted.

Visa & Mastercard are accepted in major and tourist centres such as Victoria Falls. Outside these areas it is difficult to use (credit cards widely accepted except in rural areas). Check with hotels and other service providers whether credit card payments will be accepted. Note that merchant fees can be high on credit card purchases.

Amex and Diners are not readily accepted.

Travellers cannot withdraw cash from international debit cards through ATMs, however international credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) may be accepted at some bank machines. ATM's are not readily accessible.

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Electricity in Zimbabwe is 240 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin types are D (3 pin round) and G (UK – 3 prong).

Electricity in Zimbabwe is 240 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin types are D (3 pin round) and G (UK – 3 prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.