Africa

Zimbabwe – General Information for travelers

BEST TIME TO GO

Zimbabwe is an all year round destination but for special interest group: High adventure enthusiasts, white water rafting is most exciting when the Zambezi waters are low which is generally from August to December. Best botanical months to visit the famous Vumba Botanical Gardens are Dec – May when the vegetation is lush and green, also when most plants are in flower.

Passport/Visa Requirements: Canadian citizens need only passports. Citizens of the U.S. need passports and visas, which are available on arrival. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.

CAPITAL: Harare.

LANGUAGES: English, Shona, Sindebele.

TIME ZONE: 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+2 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Travellers arriving in Zimbabwe from infected areas are required to posses valid vaccination certificates against cholera and yellow fever. It is essential that you take malaria prophylactics before entering Zimbabwe. The best is to contact your pharmacist or doctor in this regard. It is not advisable to use the water in Zimbabwe for drinking or swimming. However water in the town and hotels (including swimming pools) is purified and therefore safe. With the exception of children younger than one year, all travellers arriving in Zimbabwe from infected areas are requested to possess valid vaccination certificates against cholera and yellow fever. While in Zimbabwe, visitors are advised not to use water in any river or dams for swimming and drinking as it may be infected with bilharzia. Needless to say, all water in towns, hotels and swimming pools originates from purified central water supplies or boreholes and is, therefore, safe. If you plan to visit low-lying areas such as Hwange, Victoria Falls, Kariba, Gonarezhou and the Zambezi Valley, it is advisable to take a course of anti-malaria tablets as a simple precaution. Remember to consult a doctor before entering Zimbabwe.

Malaria:
Visitors are reminded that malaria can still be contracted even when a prophylaxis has been taken. The safest option is to try and prevent mosquito bites by taking the following steps: Apply insect repellent to any exposed skin, wear protective clothing such as longsleeved shirts, long trousers and socks at dusk and at night, use mosquito coils, candles, mats and nets, use soap that contains mosquito repellent, avoid places close to water at night. Each country has its own health requirements and potential tourists should therefore check the health requirements of their own country before entering Zimbabwe. They are also advised to obtain vaccination certificates, if required, for their return home.

MEDICAL SERVICES
Zimbabwe does not have a national health welfare scheme. It is therefore advisable to obtain good medical insurance prior to arrival. It is also wise to bring with you, any medicines which you may require since you will not have access to pharmacies in many of the areas which you may be visiting.

CURRENCY
Zimbabwe’s unit currency is the Zimbabwe Dollar and is divided into 100 cents. Any amount of foreign currency brought into the country, must be declared to customs upon entry to you will be unable to re -export your bank notes. Master, Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted at most tourist hotels, restaurants and shops. Please note that US$ 100.00 bills cannot be exchanged.

LANGUAGES
English is the official language of Zimbabwe. Other widely spoken languages are Chishona and Sindebele, which also have various dialects and other minority languages that include the following:

Sotho and Nambya – South Western border with Botswana
Shangani – South Eastern
Venda – Southern border with SA
Chewa, Nyanja – Mining towns
Tonga – Zambezi Valley.

CULTURE AND RELIGION
Despite Zimbabwe’s vibrant cities, the countryside retains a deep hold on the nation’s consciousness. Zimbabwe is a multi-racial society where people of all nationalities live in harmony. The majority of this widely spread and friendly populations, more specifically in urban areas, have a Westernised lifestyle. In country areas, however, there are many African traditions that have been preserved, with the people remaining friendly and accustomed to the presence of visitors. Only one in four lives in the city, and very few of these forget their rural roots. Despite the close relationship between town and country, a new generation of purely urban Zimbabweans is now emerging, their lives plugged into the rest of the international press. But out in the countryside, it is still possible to find thousands of villages, which are little more than a cluster of grass-roofed huts, symbols of a close-knit community life.

SHOPPING
Most stores are open from 08h00 Monday to Friday. Closed on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. Good buys are articles made from Zimbabwe Copper and jewellery made from semiprecious gemstones.

DRIVING IN ZIMBABWE
International driving permits and valid driving licences issued in Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland are valid in Zimbabwe. A visitor from any other country may, for 90 days or more (depending on the country of issue), use a valid driving licence issued by the competent authority in that country. Road rules: Drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way to traffic approaching from the right at uncontrolled intersections. The general speed limit in Zimbabwe is 100 km/h on open roads and 60 km/h in urban areas. Watch the road signs.

LOCAL FOOD AND WINE
Start with an inspiring range of snacks, from madora/ mancimbi (mopani worms), roast groundnuts and boiled mielie to biltong. Sample Zimbabwe’s staple traditional mielies sadza (thick porridge) and mungha sudza (millet). Why not try our popular soups of nhedzi (wild mushroom), muboora (pumpkin leaves) and game soup alongside a variety of other locally made soups. Enjoy wild game meat dishes varying from impala and warthog to ostrich steak, eland stroganoff and crocodile tail in cheese sauce. Spruce up your appetite by treating yourself to our local fish dishes, which include Nyanga trout, Kariba bream and Kapenta (fresh and dry small fish).

ELECTRICITY
Zimbabwe’s power consumption is currently growing at a rate of 6%. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) undertakes the general transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. Power is generated from Kariba South (66W), Hwange (thermal 920W), old thermal stations in Harare, Munyati and Bulawayo (376W) with private generators contributing 5MW to the total of 1 966W. Additional power is imported from South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Firewood, coal and solar energy are used mostly by the rural folk. The country electricity supply is 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Most of Zimbabwe’s rural areas are now electrified under the Government’s Rural Electrification Programme.

WATER
The water in the main centres is generally safe, but it may be safer to drink bottled water to avoid any ailments you may pick up, if you are sensitive.

SAFETY
Zimbabweans are known for their hospitality and friendliness towards each other and visitors alike. Although all Zimbabweans are very helpful, it is always advisable to be cautious when dealing with strangers. If you need help, be on the lookout for anyone wearing a ZIMHOST badge, as they are the best people to ask. Police officers can also be very helpful and are easily identified by their uniforms, although some may be plainclothes police. Like anywhere in the world, valuables should always be safeguarded or left in the hotel safe box.