Zimbabwe

Introduction

Devil's Pool in Zambia's Victoria Falls, view from Zimbabwe

© Utrecht

Fantastic safaris, stunning scenery, a proudly African culture: Zimbabwe has all the stereotypical African attractions, plus a handful more. The Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi river along the Zambian coast, is a magnificent, extraordinarily powerful sight. The falls and surrounding river afford some great adventure activities, like white water rafting (might wanna avoid the falls though), parachuting, microlighting, and bungee jumping (the world's tallest bungee jump, that is). Great Zimbabwe, in southeastern Zimbabwe, was once a thriving medieval city: now, it is a historical marvel, indicating the height of African civilization.

Warning: On 15 November 2017, the country's military deployed in the streets of Harare as part of a bitter internal dispute for control of the ruling ZANU-PF party, leading to the forced resignation of longtime strongman Robert Mugabe from the presidency. The United States, Canada and the United Kingdom had temporarily curtailed embassy services; western governments are advising to "reconsider your need to travel" to Harare due to the politically-volatile situation. It may be dangerous to speak against the regime or to photograph protests and demonstrations. Crime is widespread, electric and water utilities intermittent and roads typically unsafe at night.

Brief History

By the Middle Ages, there was a Bantu civilization in the region, as evidenced by ruins at Great Zimbabwe and other smaller sites, whose main outstanding archaeological achievement is a unique dry stone architecture. Around the early 10th century, trade developed with Muslim merchants on the Indian Ocean coast, helping to develop the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 11th century. The Kingdom of Mapungubwe was the first in a series of sophisticated trade states developed in Zimbabwe by the time of the first European explorers from Portugal. From about 1250 until 1450, Mapungubwe was eclipsed by the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. In 1834, the Ndebele people arrived while fleeing from the Zulu leader Shaka, making the area their new empire, Matabeleland. In 1837–38, the Rozwi Empire along with other Shona states were conquered by the Ndebele, who arrived from south of the Limpopo and forced them to pay tribute and concentrate in northern Zimbabwe.

In the 1880s, the British arrived with Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company (BSAC). In 1898, the name Southern Rhodesia was adopted. In 1898 'Southern Rhodesia' became the official denotation for the region south of the Zambezi,[10] which later became Zimbabwe. The region to the north was administered separately by the BSAC and later named Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British colony in October 1923, subsequent to a 1922 referendum. Rhodesians served on behalf of the United Kingdom during World War II, mainly in the East African Campaign against Axis forces in Italian East Africa.

In the elections of February 1980, Mugabe and his ZANU won a landslide victory. Elections in March 1990 resulted in another victory for Mugabe and his party, which won 117 of the 120 election seats. Election observers estimated voter turnout at only 54% and found the campaign neither free nor fair. The economical and political situation and the health of the people (life expectancy declined from around 60 to about 35 in the period since 1990) declined during the 1980s and 1990s. Just as one might not expect things to get worse, Mugabe began to redistribute land to blacks in 2000 with a compulsory land redistribution. In 2002, Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations on charges of human rights abuses during the land redistribution and of election tampering. During 2008, problems in Zimbabwe reached crisis proportions in the areas of living standards, public health (with a major cholera outbreak in December) and various public considerations.

On 29 March 2008, Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election. The three major candidates were Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T), and Simba Makoni, an independent. The results of this election were withheld for four weeks, following which it was generally acknowledged that the MDC had achieved a significant majority of seats. However, Mugabe retained control because Tsvangirai did not win by the margin required by Zimbabwean law. Hence, the election results that would otherwise put Mugabe out of power, failed the opposition.
In September 2008, a power-sharing agreement was reached between Mugabe and Tsvangirai, in which Mugabe remained president and Tsvangirai became prime minister. However, due to ministerial differences between their respective political parties, the agreement was not fully implemented until February 13, 2009, two days after the swearing in of Tsvangirai as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.

Geography

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, lying between latitudes 15° and 23°S, and longitudes 25° and 34°E. It is the 61st largest country in the world, with a total area of 390,580 km², of which 3,910 km² comprises lakes and reservoirs. It straddles an extensive high inland plateau that drops northwards to the Zambezi valley where the border with Zambia is and similarly drops southwards to the Limpopo valley and the border with South Africa. The country has borders with Botswana (813 kilometres), Mozambique (1,231 kilometres), South Africa (225 kilometres), Zambia (797 kilometres) and meets Namibia at its westernmost point. Most of the country is elevated in the central plateau (high veld) stretching from the southwest to the northwest at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,600 metres. The country's east is mountainous with Mount Nyangani as the highest point at 2,592 metres. About 20% of the country consists of the low veld under 900m. Victoria Falls, one of the world's biggest and most spectacular waterfalls, is located in the country's northwest as part of the Zambezi river. The country is mostly savanna, although the moist and mountainous east supports tropical evergreen and hardwood forests. Trees include teak and mahogany, knobthorn, msasa and baobab. Among the numerous flowers and shrubs are hibiscus, spider lily, leonotus, cassia, tree wisteria and dombeya.

Regions

• Matabeleland - Forms the western part of the country with Bulawayo, the second largest city, the stunning Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.
• Lake Kariba and the Lower Zambezi - Located at the eastern end of Lake Kariba is a popular vacation area for Zimbabweans. Many national parks, such as Mana Pools National Park, are situated on the shores of the Zambezi River and provide good opportunities for game viewing.
• Mashonaland - Includes the capital city, Harare, and surrounding areas, including the northern part of the Midlands Province.
• Eastern Highlands - The mountainous area of the country tucked up along the eastern border where the countries peak, Moutn Inyangani is located. The main city is Mutare.
• Southeastern Zimbabwe - A mixed area with the southern part of the midlands in the north and the Lowveld in the south. Nature is more of the attraction here, with many national parks and the Great Zimbabwe ruins.

Cities

• Harare - the capital and the largest city in Zimbabwe, Harare is a vibrant city in a larger metropolitan province
• Gweru - the capital of the Midlands Province
• Bulawayo - the second largest city, both by population and economic activity
• Victoria Falls
• Beitbridge
• Masvingo - named (meaning "ruins") after the nearby Great Zimbabwe National Monument
• Mutare - the major city closest to the scenic Eastern Highlands
• Kadoma

Sights and Activities

While Zimbabwe might not be the safest country to enjoy a safari, most parts of the country are safe enough and potential danger is mostly in the bigger cities of Harare and Bulawayo, where protests occur more often and can get worse than elsewhere. And the best national parks to be visited, are located far from the main cities and are probably as safe as counterparts in countries like Zambia, South Africa and Botswana.

Hwange National Park

Hwange NP 1

© tanjaradet

Hwange National Park is located in the northwest of the country, between Victoria Falls and the border with Botswana, just west of the road between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo. It is the largest national park in Zimbabwe with an area of almost 15,000 square kilometers. It is a semi arid region with large plains of grass and savannah land where many species of mammal roam freely. Almost all of Zimbabwe's wildlife can be seen here and some species like the African wild dog are quite special, as it is one of the larger herds anywhere in Africa, along with the herds in Selous and Ruaha National Parks in Tanzania. Access to the park is easy and the Main Camp is close to the Main gate and can be reached partly by tarred road. There are two other camps as well, one of which is very remote and requires you to be fully equipped with fuel and water in case something happens along the way.

Mana Pools National Park

DSC_0161 2 Long Pool

© haveyoubeenyet

The Mana Pools National Park is the counterpart of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and is best reached from Zambia as roads from Harare and Victoria Falls are not always in good shape and fuel shortages are common in Zimbabwe as well. The flood plains along the Zambezi River form series of lakes where wildlife finds water and food, mainly in the dry season when water else is scarce. It is one of the best parks in Africa to enjoy a walking safari and the only one where you can actually walk just by yourself, because of the almost flat landscape where you have very good views of spotting wildlife and thus are able to prevent and eye to eye contact with a lion within a too short distance. Although it is not as well developed as many other national parks it has large herds of hippos, elephants and buffalos and trips can be arranged both in Zambia as in Zimbabwe.

Victoria Falls

Vic Falls

© Luis M

At a height of over 100 metres and a width of about 1,700 metres, the Victoria Falls are the largest sheet of water falling in the world. Located within the boundaries of Mosi-oa-Tunya NP in Zambia and Victoria Falls NP in Zimbabwe, the falls are one of the most impressive landmarks of Africa and travellers from around the world are highly attracted by the opportunities near the falls. Hiking, wildlife viewing, bungee jumping, cruising, whit water rafting the Zambezi river and a helicopter ride to have a bird's eye view of the falls, all are very popular. As the falls are mainly located in Zambia, the best panoramic view is from Zimbabwe, viewing the falls head on. Even better would be the view from the air. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Events and Festivals

Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA)

The Harare International Festival of Arts is held annually at the end of April and is one of the largest events in the country. Featuring both local and international acts in the genres of music, theater, and visual arts, there is also a great arts and crafts market from which unique souvenirs can be purchased.

Harare Jazz Festival

April is a busy month for Harare, at least festival-wise. April 15 to 16 marks the annual Jazz Festival. Famous African musicians take to the stage and there are workshops for budding talent. All of the proceeds go to charity and many students are given free entry.

Bulawayo Music Festival

Presented by the Zimbabwe Academy of Music, the Bulawayo Music Festival is held every two years from May 23-27. Playing host to a wide range of genres including classical, pop, jazz, and gospel, the festival is one of best musical showcases in the country. There are a variety of concerts by both international and Zimbabwean acts, but also informative workshops for festival-goers to attend.

Zimbabwe International Book Fair

Bookworms will be pleased to know that Harare hosts a topnotch literary event. The Zimbabwe International Book Fair, which takes place every July, is a celebration of the word in Zimbabwe. Nearly 100 publishers take part in the occasion, which is held at Harare Gardens. There is also a great program of talks and workshops by renowned authors for the general public to enjoy.

Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF)

Held in Harare annually every August, the Zimbabwe International Film Festival spans 10 days and showcases the best feature films, shorts, and documentaries the region and abroad have to offer. It also hosts workshops, which are open to all attendees. The event is a non-political, not for profit initiative which aims to develop a network of creative individuals in the region.

Harare International Food Festival

Visitors who are lucky enough to visit in November should make a stop at the Harare International Food Festival. Still in its early years, the event is making an impact on the foodie and gourmet scene. Showcasing everything from international cuisine to regional wine, this festival brings together the best cuisine and chefs from around Zimbabwe and overseas to taste everything from wine and whiskey to paté and pasta, and you are sure to leave full.

Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival

Last but definitely not least, the Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival is one of the only events which celebrates traditional cultures in the country. Held annually in November by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the festival brings together primary school children from around the country who perform a variety of indigenous dance numbers. The finale is usually hosted in either Harare or Bulawayo.

Weather

Zimbabwe has a warm and fairly dry climate, but still with a distinct rainy season. Because of its elevation, large parts are not overly hot. Also, it is fairly south in Africa, thus having some colder winters. The lower parts of the country have a rather dry climate with an unreliable rainfall of between 400 mm 600 mm. In the eastern highlands annual rainfall is as much as 1,500 mm/ 2,000 mm. Over most of the country annual rainfall is between 750 mm 1,000 mm. Most of the rain falls during the period November to March when it is summer in Zimbabwe. Winter is dry, warm and sunny in most of the country. Except in the lower regions, temperatures are warm but rarely hot around the year. Bulawayo and Harare for example are between 1,200 and 1,500 metres above sea level. Here, summers are close to 30 °C during the day, around 15 °C or 16 °C at night. Winters (June - September) are above 20 °C during the day, dropping to a rather chilly 7 °C at night. Most rain falls between December and February, close to 200 mm a month in some places. June to September is almost completely dry. The eastern lowlands along the border with Mozambique are warmer but equally wet. Temperatures average between 28 °C and 34 °C year round, but warmer from October to January, averaging over 35 °C in some parts, over 40 °C is possible sometimes. Also, nights are not that cold, slightly below 15 degrees during the cooler June to September period. The dry season seems to last longer, from April to October.

Getting There

By Plane

Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of the country and is based at Harare International Airport (HRE) near the capital Harare. International flights include those to and from Beijing, Blantyre, Dar es Salaam, Dubai, Guangzhou, Johannesburg, Lilongwe, London, Lubumbashi, Lusaka, Nairobi and Singapore. Several other airlines from neighbouring countries fly to and from Harare. Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) is located close to the famous waterfalls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and might be of convenience for travellers. Destinations include Johannesburg, Windhoek and Maun (Botswana).

By Train

Since 2006, there is a thrice a week train between Francistown in Botswana and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. The train leaves Francistown on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays around 9:00am and arrives approximately 6 hours later in Bulawayo. In the other direction, the train leaves Bulawayo at 9:30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, taking 5 and a half hours.

By Car

Roads lead into Zimbabwe from all neighbouring countries and most border crossings are open between 6:00am and 6:00pm. The crossings at Beitbridge (South Africa) and Victoria Falls (Zambia) are open longer. Note that driving on some routes may be difficult, especially after heavy rains and that petrol availability is very limited outside the bigger cities and Victoria Falls, so take some more petrol cans with you at all times.

By Bus

Buses travel between Zimbabwe and all of its neighbouring countries. From Harare and Bulawayo there are connections to and from Johannesburg in South Africa. Buses to and from Bulawayo from Johannesburg travel further north to Lusaka. There are also buses between the capital Harare and the city of Blantyre in Malawi, travelling through the northern tip of Mozambique (Tete), but a visa is not necessary when travelling all the way to Blantyre. From Bulawayo there are buses to Francistown in Botswana as well.
From Victoria Falls in the north, buses travel all the way to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The stop on the way in Katima Mulilo in the eastern Caprivi of Namibia. Buses travel through Botswana, but you are not allowed to get out of the bus in Kasane in the northeast of Botswana. Instead, minibuses travel between Kasana and Victoria Falls, mostly organised by lodges and hostels.

By Boat

Although Zimbabwe shares (parts of) the border with Zambia along rivers, there are no options of entering Zimbabwe directly by boat.

Getting Around

By Plane

Air Zimbabwe flies between Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

By Train

There are trains between Bulawayo, Chiredzi, Harare, Labatse, Mutare, Plumtree, Triangle and Victoria Falls run by the National Railways of Zimbabwe, but is not well maintained and service is poor.

By Car

Although it is possible to rent a car at airports and bigger hotels, and the main routes are actually of a decent quality, it is not recommended, mainly due to the petrol shortages which are common since years outside the main urban centers and Victoria Falls.
Traffic drives on the left and you need a national or international driver's licence written in English.

By Bus

The main bus connection are between Harare and Bulawayo (5-6 hours) and Bulawayo and Victoria Falls (4-5 hours). Several buses travel between Victoria Falls and Harare as well, some of them stopping in Bulawayo on their way. Blue Arrow Luxury Coaches provides bus services to major destinations like the route Harare-Bulawayo.

By Boat

Ferries run on Lake Kariba from Kariba to Binga and Mlibizi.

Red Tape

Category A - no visa required

Passport holders of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe for up to 3 months (unless otherwise noted): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, DR Congo, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Hong Kong (6 months), Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique (30 days), Namibia, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia.

Category B - visa on arrival

Passport holders of the following are eligible to get a visa on arrival to enter Zimbabwe for up to 3 months (for purpose of tourism) or for up to 30 days (for purpose of business): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City and Venezuela.

Visa fees at the port of entry for Category B nationals are as follows: US$30 (single entry), US$45 (double entry), US$55 (multiple entry) - a valid passport, travel itinerary, return or onward journey ticket and cash payment must be presented. Note that Canadian citizens are only able to obtain single entry visas on arrival at a cost of US$75, whilst British and Irish citizens pay higher fees for a Zimbabwe visa on arrival (US$55 for single entry and US$70 for double entry).

Category C - visa before arrival

Passport holders of other countries must get a visa prior to arrival to Zimbabwe.

Category C citizens may apply for a visa (for business, holiday, conferencing or transit) online through the eVisa system of the Zimbabwe Department of Immigration. Visa fee can be paid online or on arrival. It takes an average of two working days to obtain an e-Visa, however the period may vary due to a number of factors. The e-Visa is valid for three months from the date of issue.

Visas can be obtained at Zimbabwean embassies/consulates. The fees for a visa vary between US$30 and 180 and depend on the applicant's nationality.

You might be able to apply for a Zimbabwean visa at a British embassy, high commission or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Zimbabwean diplomatic post. For example, the British embassy in Amman accepts Zimbabwean visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge £50 to process a Zimbabwean visa application and an extra £70 if the authorities in Zimbabwe require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Zimbabwe can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.

KAZA universal visa

Zimbabwe and Zambia introduced a universal visa on 28 November 2014 called KAZA Visa. This visa can be obtained on arrival and is valid for both countries for visits up to 30 days while remaining within Zambia and Zimbabwe (including day trips to Chobe National Park in Botswana at Kazungula). The fee is US$50 and is available at the following border crossings in Zambia: Livingstone Airport, Lusaka Airport, Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana) and Victoria Falls Land Border; in Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Airport, Harare Airport, Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana) and Victoria Falls Land Border.

Eligible countries are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Comoros, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Due to the hyperinflation of the Zimbabwe Dollar the currency has been unofficially changed to the US Dollar and the South African Rand. Note that rand prices will often be quoted as 10 times the US$ price for convenience, even though the real rate is closer to 7, so check the rate being used so that you don't overpay.

Work

There is little work for travellers in the country.

Study

The main cities, including Harare and Bulawayo, have universities.

Language

Zimbabwe's official languages are English, Shona, Sindebele/Ndebele. English besides being traditionally used for official business serves as a common language for most Zimbabweans.

Eat

For a sample of what Zimbabweans eat (in some form, nearly every day), ask for "sadza and stew/relish." The stew part will be familiar, served over a large portion of sadza - a thick ground corn paste (vaguely like polenta and the consistency of thick mashed potatoes) that locals eat at for lunch and supper. It's inexpensive, quite tasty and very filling. There is a plethora of good Zimbabwean food- "Mbambaira" or sweet potatoes, "chibage" corn on the cob, for example. Fruits indigenous to the country like "masawu" for example. For foreigners, especially from the West, Zimbabwean meat is very tasty, especially the beef, because of the great way that animals are raised and fed and not pumped up with hormones etc.

Sleep

Zimbabwe has a great number of tourist facilities, and offers a variety of accommodation options, from international hotels to guest houses, lodges, and safari camps for all budgets.

Drink

Mazoe, the local orange squash, is the quintessential Zimbabwean cordial.

A variety of domestic brews are made in Zimbabwe, mainly lagers with a few milk stouts. You may even want to try "Chibuku" a local brew popular among working class men that's based on a traditional beer recipe made from sorghum and/or maize (corn). It is generally sold in a 2 litre plastic bottle called a 'skud'. As with all alcohol, it's definitely an acquired taste! There is also a limited range of local wines, usually found within a much larger variety of imported wines. The South African creamy liqueur, Amarula, is a common delight.

Imported drinks and locally made franchises are available as well as local "soft drinks" (carbonated drinks/sodas). Bottled water is also available. Tap water, as a source of potable water, in general, should be boiled prior to consumption.

Health

See also: Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Zimbabwe. There are two exceptions though. You have to have a cholera stamp (prove of the fact that you don't have that disease) when entering Zimbabwe overland. And you need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (7 days or less before entering Zimbabwe) where that disease is widely prevalent.

Still, it's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Zimbabwe. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also both hepatitis A as well as typhoid would be recommended.

If you are staying longer than 3 months or have a particular risk (travelling by bike, handling of animals, visits to caves) you might consider a rabies vaccination. Vaccination against Tuberculosis as well as hepatitis B are also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Malaria is prevalent in parts of the country, mostly in the northern and (north)eastern parts and also mainly during the warmer and wetter months from November to May. Don't underestimate this tropical disease though and take precautions. Buy repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS. Also note that Southern Africa and thus Zimbabwe as well has a high percentage of people with AIDS.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Generally, Zimbabwe has a much lower crime rate than its neighbors, and Zimbabweans are well known for their unrivaled hospitality.

Most crime that does occur is opportunistic in nature and travelers should take care with their personal belongings and follow local advice. It really is just a matter of common sense, which you should exercise no matter where you are.

Shortages of fuel and water can occur in parts of the country, so keep extra supplies with you in case they are unavailable for an extended period. Water and electricity supplies are frequently disrupted, so most homes in the cities are equipped with boreholes, solar power or generators.

Whilst many locals will politely inquire about you and your country, remember, most Zimbabweans are still sensitive to foreigners' opinions of their country and its politicians, mostly due to years of negative press. In general, it is a wise idea to avoid political discussions or discussions pertaining to opinions of political leaders.

Policing in Zimbabwe has improved markedly since the Mugabe era. On the whole, Zimbabwean police officers are professional and polite to tourists, but they are underpaid, which can lead to incidents of corruption or bribery. They are generally less aggressive than law enforcement agencies in many other nearby countries, particularly South Africa; however, this does not apply to political demonstrations or other politically motivated investigations, which have elicited very strong responses in the past. Tourists, expats and outsiders are strongly discouraged from attending political rallies or events. Bribery can occur at police checkpoints or border control but it is important to be firm and politely decline, as this behavior is not tolerated by senior authorities and harassment of tourists is considered a serious offence.

With local exceptions, such as airports, and national events, such as Independence Day parades, the vast majority of police officers in Zimbabwe do not carry firearms, and the only police officers allowed to carry firearms are those from specialist firearms units.

Most officers will only speak English, Shona or Ndebele, though they will attempt to find an interpreter for people who can't understand questioning in English. You have the legal right to silence when arrested and to have an interpreter at the police station.

Police officers in Zimbabwe usually wear dark blue uniforms, although some wear tan or khaki uniforms. Front-line police (in uniform) are also generally required to have shoulder numbers. Most police are also required to carry a 'warrant card', and should under reasonable circumstances be willing to produce it, to confirm their authority.

Private security guards do not generally have any "police-style" powers at all. There are a small number of non-police officials who have limited enforcement powers relating to specific local areas, or certain activities such as on-street parking or accessing some government buildings.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

External Links

• Official Governmental Website