Capital: Harare
Time zone: GMT + 2
Telephone services: Country Code: 263
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: General emergencies – 999 Police – 995, Ambulance – 994, Fire – 993
Tourist information: Zimbabwe Tourist Development Corporation (ZTDC), PO Box 8052, corner of Jason Moyo Avenue and Fourth Street, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: (4) 793 666 Fax: (4) 793 669
Passport information: Valid passport required by all with at least 6 months from date of entry. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure
Visa information: Visa required by all except: nationals of E.U. countries (except nationals of Finland, Portugal and Greece who do need a visa.) Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, French Overseas Territories, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts & Nevis, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Zambia. NOTE: Citizens of the former Yugoslavia should contact the Zimbabwean diplomatic representation in order to obtain up to date information on visa requirements
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in certain areas throughout the year in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies. Incidence of AIDS is high, Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.
Food & drink: Piped water in urban areas is considered drinkable. Normal precautions should be observed with food. In rural areas water is untreated and not safe to drink. All fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar (Z$) = 100 cents
Exchange: Major currencies at hotels and banks.. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to Z$500.
American Express, Diners Club and Visa are all widely accepted. Banks and major hotels will exchange Travellers cheques. US dollars are the preferred form of currency.
ATM availability: Over 75 locations.
Cost of living: Lower prices can be found away from the tourist centres if you are willing to live simply.
Languages: English, Shona and Ndebele.
Weather: Set – Oct = Hot, dry season. Rainy season = Nov to Mar. Best time to visit = Apr – May and Aug – Sept
Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz.
Post: Up to 1 week to Europe by airmail.
Transport: FLIGHTS: Domestic flights run between the main cities. ROADS: Excellent road network. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required and vehicle identification. BUS: Services are provided in most parts of the country. NOTE: If you are white and use the rural bus services you may provoke attention. RAIL: Daily between the main cities.
Special information: HIGH RISK: There have been serious violent incidents connected with election campaining including attacks on white by-standers and illeagal mass occupation of white owned land by supporters of the ruling party. Some white farmers have been kinapped and murdered; one of them outside a police station; therefore police protection connot be guaranteed. Avoid large crowds and demonstrations as they could turn violent without warning. Avoid rural areas without checking the local situaion. Petty crime is prevalent in Harare. Be careful at ATM machines. Backpackers are at risk in the main tourist areas. Visitors should exercise extreme caution if travelling in eastern and southern areas due to severe flooding damage from January to March.