Country Information Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a state located in the southern part of Africa with almost 15 million inhabitants. Ethnically, the country is predominantly composed of the Shona people at 70 percent and the Ndebele at 13 percent, along with other smaller ethnic groups. The capital, Harare, with 1.5 million inhabitants, is the largest and most modern city of the state. The African country is bordered to the north by Zambia, to the south by South Africa, to the west by Botswana, and to the east by Mozambique. The area of Zimbabwe is roughly the size of Germany and Belgium combined at 390,757 km².

Flora:
Large parts of Zimbabwe are nature reserves with many national parks. The landscape is predominantly dominated by a dry savanna. It is characterized by baobab, acacia, and Mohobohobo trees. During the rainy season, the otherwise dry grass of the savanna grows up to two meters high. In higher-altitude regions, green grasslands and mountain forests can be found. The flame lily is considered the national flower.

Fauna:
The country is inhabited by a variety of well-known African wildlife. These include elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, cheetahs, hippos, buffaloes, and over 700 bird species. In large national parks, the animals often live undisturbed in the wild. Zimbabwe is also home to many reptiles such as the Nile crocodile, poisonous snake species, lizards, and geckos.

Best travel time:
Zimbabwe can be visited all year round, the warmest travel time for a vacation with the least rainfall is between September and April. The best time for round trips depends on the interests of the travelers. Those who want to visit the country because of the animals should travel in the winter between the months of May and October. From August to March is the optimal time for anglers to arrive.

Climate:
The country is located in a tropical to subtropical climate zone. The seasons are determined by the alternation of the dry season, between April and September, and the rainy season, from October to March.

The former currency, the Zimbabwe Dollar, has been discontinued since 2009. Since then, the US Dollar and the South African Rand are the common means of payment. Currently, there is a shortage of US dollar cash reserves in the country.

Travelers should carry sufficient smaller denominations due to the shortage of change in the country. It is also recommended to exchange the currency into US dollars in the home country, as the exchange rate is often significantly better there. If you plan to exchange money, it is best to do so directly at the airport, in a currency exchange office or bank. Never exchange money with a street vendor. Withdrawing cash from ATMs is almost impossible in the country.

Furthermore, credit cards are almost never accepted, so always carry enough cash. In case of loss or lack of money, there is the possibility to have cash sent to you in the capital via a money transfer service.

The duty-free allowance for the import of goods is 2,000 US dollars. The import of cash is unlimited and should be declared at customs upon entry, so that the remaining amount can be carried without problems on departure.

Before entering the country, check again with the Zimbabwean authorities about the current regulations, as they can change at any time.

For the summer months, comfortable and airy clothing for vacation is recommended, paired with a rain jacket and an umbrella. It is best to wear several layers of clothing on top of each other, so you have the option to dress or undress as needed.

A head covering is suitable as protection against strong sunlight. Long and body-covering clothing in light, but not bright colors is suitable as protection against mosquitoes.

For cool evenings in the winter months between June and September, a jacket or sweater with scarf, hat, and gloves is appropriate. Comfortable and sturdy footwear is essential. A finer evening attire is recommended for restaurants and hotels.

For the most part, the country is safe to travel with some basic rules in mind. Always pay attention to the current safety instructions and country information from the Foreign Office. A difficult political and economic situation ensures a high crime rate in certain parts of the country and city. In the downtown areas of Bulawayo and Harare, you must be wary of pickpockets. Also, you should not stay near demonstrations or photograph them.

The country's road network has a length of almost 100,000 kilometers and connects all localities and cities. Main roads are tarred and in a relatively good condition, gravel roads are especially to be cautious during the rainy season. Driving after dark should definitely be avoided.

During overland trips, it is advisable to use fueling opportunities early on. While there are enough gas stations in the country, fuel is not always readily available. If you have problems with your rental car, you should contact your rental agency.

The country's emergency number for police, accident rescue, and fire brigade is 999. Highways are partially toll-required, and fees are to be paid at the toll stations. In Zimbabwe, there is left-hand traffic and a general seatbelt requirement.

An international driving license for driving cars is necessary. Within towns, the speed limit is 60 km/h, on highways 120 km/h, and on gravel roads 100 km/h. Rental cars are available at hotels, airports, and tourist areas, as a driver you must be at least 22 years old and have one year of driving experience. For drivers under 25, a young driver fee applies.

The official language in Zimbabwe is English. Shona and Ndebele are considered official languages alongside English and are taught in schools. In rural areas of the country, the languages and dialects of the native ethnic groups are mainly spoken.

Fanalago and native Bantu languages, a subgroup of the Niger-Congo languages, Isindebele and Cishona are considered as vernaculars here. Although English is considered the official language, only a very small minority of the country refers to it as their mother tongue, with 2.5 percent.

In the larger urban agglomerations, English is spoken, while in the rest of the country the Bantu languages Shona, about 75 percent of the locals, and Ndebele, with 20 percent of the Zimbabweans, are mainly spoken. The remaining population groups communicate with minority languages, such as Nambya, Ndau, Sotho, Venda, Tonga, Shangaan, and Kalanga.

The mains voltage of the types of sockets used in the country, types G and D, is 220 volts. Sockets are round or flat, with a three-pole connection. The format is different from German sockets. Therefore, a travel adapter is necessary for power usage. It is advisable to purchase this before arrival or optionally rent it at accommodations. Prepare for regular power outages in the country and be aware that in some camps or lodges the power supply is not continuously guaranteed.

Comparing the development of the country's telecommunication with European countries, it is significantly behind. The country has about 30,615 web hosts, which is below the average of all countries in the world. Only a quarter of the population has access to an internet connection.

Telephone:
The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263. This must be entered before dialing the actual phone number for any connection, whether mobile or landline, into the country. The country's telephone company is "TelOne". The dialing code for calls to Germany is +49. Mobile phone reception is only available in larger cities or at Victoria Falls.

Furthermore, it is recommended to buy a SIM card from a national mobile provider locally, you should make international calls from hotels or public phone booths, there are both coin and card phones. The corresponding phone cards can be purchased in shops or gas stations.

Internet & WLAN:
Most accommodations provide their guests with a free internet connection. Alternatively, there are internet cafes in larger cities, whose network connections are usually slow.

The medical care in the country is rather poor due to the economic and political situation. In the capital Harare and the provincial capitals of the country, medical care in private hospitals has significantly improved in recent years. The turnover of doctors has significantly decreased. Pharmacies in the country have a satisfactory equipment of medicines. Tourists should mainly carry a small supply of important medicines in the form of a small travel pharmacy on round trips to more remote areas of Zimbabwe. In case of medical emergencies and evacuations, the Medical Air Rescue Service International (MARS) is in action, which can handle a patient transfer to South Africa if necessary.

Malaria:
In most areas of the country, the risk of malaria transmission is medium to high depending on the season. There is an increased danger in the north of the country, in the Zambezi Valley, as well as in the east to southeast around the areas of the Victoria Falls, North Matabeleland, and at the border to South Africa and Mozambique. You should inform yourself about the proper malaria prophylaxis at a institute for tropical medicine before your departure.

Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory vaccinations for tourists entering from Germany or Europe. However, the following vaccinations are advisable upon entry: diphtheria and polio, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza. Sensible travel vaccinations include typhoid and hepatitis A, meningococcal, yellow fever, rabies, and for a long-term stay hepatitis B. Discuss vaccinations to be taken before starting your trip with your general practitioner.

Travel Cancellation:
Taking out travel cancellation insurance can be sensible. In case of an unforeseen event, you have the option to cancel the trip.

Health Insurance:
A valid international health insurance is necessary and should cover the costs of an emergency flight back to Germany. Without adequate international health coverage, necessary costs arising from medical treatment or hospital stays must be paid out of pocket by the affected individuals. The costs charged by hospitals or doctors are usually required to be paid in advance or before leaving the hospital. Furthermore, in the case of an outstanding invoice that is not settled, a doctor or hospital can enforce a travel ban on the patient.

If you are traveling in Zimbabwe as a business traveler, a simple travel health insurance is sufficient.

Liability and Accident Insurance:
Liability and accident insurances are not valid abroad or only to a limited extent. For a longer stay abroad, you should therefore check with your insurance company about the conditions.

Internal political situation:
Due to the economically tense situation and social tensions in the country, violent demonstrations and riots can occur in cities. Note that as a foreigner without accreditation, you are not allowed to report on the current developments in the country in any form.

Gathering information, having conversations with locals, and taking photographs with a camera are considered illegal journalistic activities by law. No assistance can be expected from security forces in emergencies. Therefore, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. Never participate in political discussions, neither in person nor on social platforms. Always carry an identification document outside your accommodation and always follow instructions from local security forces.

Crime:
Due to the political, economic, and social situation of the population, the crime rate is on the rise. Mainly in larger cities, there can be robberies and thefts, especially at night there is a risk at red lights or unlit places. For your safety, you should follow some basic rules.

The following days are holidays in the country: Good Friday at Easter, Independence Day on April 18, May 1 is Labor Day, African Liberation Day on May 25, the second Monday in August is Heroes' Day, the second Tuesday in August is Armed Forces Day, December 22 is Unity Day, and Christmas is celebrated on December 25/26.

The warmth and openness of the local people, breathtaking nature with many wild animals that can be observed on foot or by canoe, and delicious typical cuisine with exotic specialties make the country a forgotten gem. To take as many impressions of the country as possible during the trip, round trips through Zimbabwe are offered.

Attractions:
The inland offers a lot to see with its diverse landscapes. The capital Harare enchants with its gardens full of exotic flowers and trees in a purple hue. The economic and cultural center of the country impresses with numerous tourist attractions. The Victoria Falls are collectively considered the world's widest waterfall, spanning over 1.7 kilometers.

On-site, numerous activities such as ziplining, white water rafting, bungee jumping, and canoe tours are offered. The ruins of "Great Zimbabwe", consisting of stone houses, are the largest and oldest pre-colonial stone structure in Africa and are an important part of the country's history. The unique Kariba Dam, created by human hands, is an important habitat for animals and is under environmental protection.

Other highlights of the country include the Eastern Highlands, a 300-kilometer-long mountain range in a rich green hue. Furthermore, the country has numerous national parks. The Hwange National Park is a popular destination for safaris and extends over 500 kilometers of land with a large wildlife and elephant population.