Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a land of diversity and contrasts and unrivalled natural beauty. It is a land where one can experience nature first-hand. It is also a land with a fascinating history that provides depth and meaning.

The capital, Harare, is Zimbabwe’s commercial and industrial centre and a clean and sophisticated city, characterised by flowering trees, colourful parks and contemporary architecture. Zimbabwe’s second city, Bulawayo, is a major commercial, industrial and tourist centre. The city is home to the National Museum and headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

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 per cent of Zimbabwe’s land has been set aside as parks and wildlife estates.

Zimbabwe offers some of the best wildlife parks in southern Africa, notably Hwange (southwest), Matopos (south) and Nyanga (northeast) national parks. These, together with the Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe, are the principal attractions for visitors.

Zimbabwe offers excellent freshwater fishing, the best locations being Lake Kariba (famous for its tigerfish), the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls (known for its giant catfish), the streams of the Eastern Highlands and the many lakes.

Population
11,789,274 (1997).

Capital
Harare

Language
The official language is English, with Shona and Ndebele dialects.

Time
GMT + 2.

Electricity
220/230 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications
Full IDD is available. Country code: 263. Outgoing international code: 110.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network.

Climate
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 September 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.

Visas
Required by all except the following:
1. nationals of Ireland;
2. nationals of Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Leeward Islands, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Zambia;
3. 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.

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:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cook Islands, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana (gratis visa), Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Palau, Palestinian Authority Region, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Seychelles, South Africa (gratis visa), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, US Virgin Islands and Vatican City.

Please verify information with the relevant authorities as it is subject to change without notification.

Money
Currency is the Zimbabwe Dollar (Z$). Getting money is the biggest problem of a visit to Zimbabwe.

The official currency is the Zimbabwean dollar ($ or Z$), but the country is currently experiencing hyper inflation. The price of goods may increase substantially over even the course of a single day.

You can use foreign money at roughly the black market rate at some, but by no means all, shops. Most proper shops, hotels and tourist class guest houses will not accept US dollars at the black market rate.  US dollars are the best to bring - in lots of small bills as no one will be able to give you change in forex.

Health
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers arriving from infected areas.

A cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Zimbabwe. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are advisable.

Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists from November to June in all areas below 1200m and throughout the year in the Zambezi Valley although there is negligible risk in Harare and Bulawayo. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.