Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe - Overview

for the visitor there is much to see and do - with attractions rich and diverse as the country itself

• the world heritage site and Africa's adventure capital of Victoria Falls (wide range of adventure activities and safaris)

• the Eastern highlands of Nyanga and Chimanimani (for the mountaineering enthusiast and trout fisherman)

• all year round fishing grounds lake Kariba (Tiger fishing and relaxing houseboat holidays)

• the ancient and mysterious city of Great Zimbabwe

• huge granite boulders and formations at Matopos

• Mana Pools national park (also a world heritage site)

• Hwange national park (home to large herds of elephant, sable and buffalo)

Fact File

Zimbabwe is situated on a high plateau lying between the Zambezi and the Limpopo rivers. Covering an area of more than 390 000 sq. kms Zimbabwe is roughly the size of California and about 3 times the size of England.

Time Difference: GMT +2

Dialling code: +263

Language: English is widely spoken.
Other widely spoken languages are Shona and Sindebele

Electric Current: 220 – 240 volts ac, via 14 amp fused, square pinned plugs. 50hz.

Getting there

By Road - Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure by African standards. Traffic drives on the left.

Airlines: From Johannesburg to Victoria Falls South African Airways, British Airways (Comair) and Air Zimbabwe.

The national carrier, Air Zimbabwe provides reasonably reliable scheduled services between Harare, Victoria Falls, Kariba and Bulawayo.

Border Posts
open weekdays and on public holidays

Zimbabwe / South Africa
Beitbridge (Bulawayo, Harare / Jo’burg) Open 24 hours
The border post is now open to tourists 24 hours a day and from 6 am to 6 pm for imports and exports.

Zimbabwe bordering South Africa and Botswana
Beitbridge 05.30 - 22.30 hrs
Plumtree 06.00 - 20.00 hrs
Kazungula 06.00 - 18.00 hrs

Zimbabwe bordering Mozambique
Forbes Border Post Mutare 06.00 - 18.00 hrs
Nyamapanda 06.00 - 18.00 hrs

Zimbabwe bordering Zambia
Chirundu 06.00 - 18.00 hrs
Kariba 06.00 -18.00 hrs
Victoria Falls 06.00 - 22.00 hrs

Seasons
A warm climate with an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day with the highveld and eastern highlands being cooler and the lowveld and the Zambezi valley hotter. November to April are regarded as the rainy summer months with the dry winter May to July. From August to October it is hot and dry.

Accommodation

throughout Zimbabwe is diverse and ranges from 5 star hotels, bush camps, safari lodges, self catering, campsites, backpackers, bed & breakfast as well as houseboats.

Health

No compulsory vaccinations are required for Zimbabwe but recommended ones are diphtheria and tetanus, hepatitis, polio and meningitis, and typhoid.

Malaria - General Advice
General Advice

Mosquitoes and most other insects are generally active for a few hours around sunset. They can and often do continue to be bothersome throughout the night and are also around in the early morning.

Change into long trousers/tracksuit just before sunset and spray yourself with insect/mosquito repellent.

Turn out lights when not in use.

Sleep under a mosquito net.

Close windows and doors at night.

Great Zimbabwe ruins -
looking onto the Enclosure

Spray insecticide aerosol and/or burn mosquito coil at night. Anopheles mosquitoes prefer to feed near ground level so spray your legs and feet as well.