Last reviewed: 21 October 2026. Entry rules, fees and currency arrangements in Zimbabwe change often. We note the date on every practical page and link to the official source so you can check before you travel.
Zimbabwe at a glance
Is Zimbabwe safe to visit?
Yes, for most travellers. Zimbabwe’s tourism areas — Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba, Mana Pools, Matobo and Great Zimbabwe — see millions of safe visits, and Zimbabweans are known across the region for their warmth towards guests. Most problems visitors face are the same as elsewhere in southern Africa: petty theft in city centres, poor roads at night and wildlife risk in unfenced parks. The US, UK and Australian governments all keep travel advisories for Zimbabwe. None of them advise against travel to the main tourist areas. We summarise what each one says, and what it means on the ground, in our dedicated page.Zimbabwe travel advice 2026
What the US, UK and Australian advisories say, explained by locals — plus crime, roads, police roadblocks, protests, photography rules and emergency numbers.
Health and safety
Vaccinations, malaria, water, hospitals, wildlife safety and travel insurance.
Entry requirements and visas
- Passport: valid for at least six months after you arrive, with at least three blank pages (six if you are travelling through South Africa).
- Visa: citizens of most SADC countries need no visa. Many other nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens, can get a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa before travelling. A few nationalities must apply in advance.
- KAZA UniVisa: US$50 for 30 days, covering Zimbabwe and Zambia plus day trips into Botswana. It is sold at Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls airports and at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula borders. Availability can change at short notice.
- Yellow fever: you need a certificate only if you are aged 9 months or over and arrive from a country with yellow fever risk, including airport transits of more than 12 hours there.
- Pay in cash: carry clean, recent US dollar notes for visa fees at the border.
Money: what currency to bring
Bring US dollars in cash, in small notes ($1, $5, $10, $20). The US dollar is used for almost every tourism transaction: lodges, activities, park fees, visas and tips. Change is often hard to find, and torn, marked or old (pre-2006) notes are often refused. You can take no more than US$2,000 in cash out of the country unless you declare it.- Cards: Visa is widely accepted in hotels, lodges and larger shops in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Mastercard is less reliable. Many smaller businesses are cash only.
- ATMs: some dispense US dollars, but supply is unreliable. Don’t depend on them.
- ZiG (ZWG): the local currency since April 2024. You may receive it as change in supermarkets. You don’t need to buy it in advance.
- Mobile money: EcoCash is used everywhere by locals, but needs a Zimbabwean number and account.
When to visit Zimbabwe
See when to visit and weather by region for month-by-month detail.
Where to go in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
The largest curtain of falling water on Earth. Rafting, bungee, helicopter flights and the gateway to Hwange, Chobe and Livingstone. 2–4 days.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest park, with one of Africa’s biggest elephant populations, plus lions, painted dogs and big buffalo herds. 3–4 days.
Mana Pools
UNESCO-listed Zambezi floodplain famous for walking safaris and canoeing. Best June – October. 3–4 days.
Great Zimbabwe
The stone city that gave the country its name, built between the 11th and 15th centuries. 1–2 days.
Matobo Hills
Granite hills, San rock art and rhino tracking on foot, 35 km from Bulawayo. 2–3 days.
Lake Kariba
Houseboats, tigerfish and sunsets over drowned forests, with Matusadona National Park on the shore. 2–4 days.
Gonarezhou
Remote “place of elephants” in the south-east, with the red Chilojo Cliffs. For self-drivers and repeat visitors. 3–4 days.
Eastern Highlands
Nyanga, Bvumba and Chimanimani: cool mountains, waterfalls, hiking and tea estates. 3–5 days.
Harare
The capital: galleries, Shona sculpture, markets, restaurants and the gateway to Mana Pools and Kariba. 1–2 days.
Bulawayo
Wide colonial-era streets, museums and the UNESCO-listed Khami Ruins, and the base for Matobo Hills. 1–2 days.
Things to do in Zimbabwe
- Go on safari — game drives, walking safaris with some of Africa’s most rigorously licensed guides, canoe trips on the Zambezi and night drives in private concessions.
- See Victoria Falls from the rainforest walk, by helicopter, from Devil’s Pool on the Zambian side, or from below on a white-water rafting trip.
- Explore 900 years of history at Great Zimbabwe, Khami and Naletale, and see San rock art up to 13,000 years old.
- Hike Mount Nyangani, the Chimanimani mountains and World’s View. See our hiking guide.
- Meet the culture — Shona sculpture, mbira music, local food like sadza and nyama, and the festivals that fill the calendar.
How much does a trip to Zimbabwe cost?
Prices below are per person per day in US dollars, and include accommodation, food and local transport but not international flights.
National park conservation fees (US$12–58 per person for an international day visit in 2026, see park fees), activities such as rafting and helicopter flights, and tips are usually extra. Read our budget travel and luxury travel guides.
Getting to and around Zimbabwe
- By air: most visitors fly into Victoria Falls (VFA) or Harare (HRE), usually through Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Dubai. See the airport guide.
- Overland: main borders are Beitbridge (South Africa), Kazungula (Botswana), Victoria Falls Bridge (Zambia), Chirundu (Zambia) and Forbes (Mozambique).
- Getting around: domestic flights and charters link the parks. Self-drive is possible on main roads, but avoid driving at night. Intercity coaches link Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Mutare.
Sample Zimbabwe itineraries
7 days: Falls and Hwange
3 nights at Victoria Falls, 4 nights in Hwange. The classic first trip.
10 days: Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools
Add the Zambezi Valley for walking and canoe safaris.
14 days: the full circuit
Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands.
First-time visitors
Everything a first trip needs, in one place.
Travel styles
Safari planning
Family travel
Solo travel
Couples and honeymoons
Budget travel
Luxury travel
Business travel
Accessible travel
Zimbabwe travel FAQs
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?
Most visitors do. Citizens of most SADC countries are visa-exempt. UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa before travelling. Check your nationality on our visa guide.
Is Zimbabwe safe for tourists?
Is Zimbabwe safe for tourists?
Yes, for most travellers. The main tourist areas are safe and welcoming. Take normal precautions against petty theft in cities, don’t drive at night and follow your guide’s instructions in the parks. Read our full travel advice page.
What currency should I take to Zimbabwe?
What currency should I take to Zimbabwe?
US dollars in cash, in small, clean notes. Cards work in hotels and larger businesses, but many smaller places are cash only. See the money guide.
What is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
What is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
May to October for wildlife, with September and October the peak. Victoria Falls is at its fullest from February to May. See when to visit.
Do I need malaria tablets for Zimbabwe?
Do I need malaria tablets for Zimbabwe?
Most likely, yes. Official advice treats malaria as a risk everywhere except Harare and Bulawayo. Risk is highest in the low-lying safari areas: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba, Mana Pools and Gonarezhou. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarials. See health and safety.
How many days do I need in Zimbabwe?
How many days do I need in Zimbabwe?
Seven days covers Victoria Falls and Hwange. Ten to fourteen days lets you add Mana Pools, Matobo, Great Zimbabwe or the Eastern Highlands. See our itineraries.
Can I visit both sides of Victoria Falls?
Can I visit both sides of Victoria Falls?
Yes. The KAZA UniVisa, when available, covers Zimbabwe and Zambia. Otherwise buy a Zambian day visa at the bridge. The Zimbabwean side has more of the falls in view.
Is Zimbabwe expensive?
Is Zimbabwe expensive?
Safari lodges are priced in US dollars and are comparable to Botswana or Zambia at the top end. Budget travel is possible from around $50 a day using backpackers, campsites and local transport.
About this guide
Zimbabwe Travel Information is an independent guide written and edited by Bryan Fawcett, with local contributors: guides, hospitality staff, researchers and students who live and work in Zimbabwe. It is published under a Creative Commons licence.- Every practical page is dated and links to official sources.
- Editorial pages are not paid placements. When we point you to a booking partner, we say so.
- Lodges, operators and local businesses are verified on Mukoko Kweli and listed in our directory.
- Know a place well? Become a contributor through the Nyuchi contributor platform, or contact us with corrections.
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Photo Credits
Image Attributions: We’re grateful to the talented photographers whose work brings Zimbabwe’s beauty to life on these pages.
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