All visitors require valid passports.
Visas can be obtained from any Zimbabwean Embassy or at Harare International Airport
All journalists visiting Zimbabwe need to be accredited by the Department of Information and Publicity.
Please contact the Zimbabwe Embassy or Consulate in or near your country.

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. Police officers are very helpful and are easily identifled by their uniforms although some may be plainclothes police. Like everywhere in the world valuables should always be safeguarded or left in the hotel safe box. If you do not know where to obtain a certain service or you are not sure always contact The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Publicity Association, Police Post, or the hotel information desk.

Your personal possessions which are not intended for disposal or consumption in Zimbabwe are allowed entry duty-free. In addition, other consumable goods which are not merchandise imported for trade purposes may be imported up to a value of US$250 or its equivalent in other currencies per person. Alcoholic beverages may be included within this allowance by persons over the age of 18 years, subject to a limit per person of 5 litres, of which not more than 2 litres may be spirits. Members of a family travelling together may aggregate their allowances.

The local currency is known as Zimbabwe dollar (ZW$). Most international hard currencies aie easity convertible in Zimbabwe. For convenience it is recommended to have travellers cheques or United States Dollars, which in most cases are acceptable as a means of paymenL
Some hotels accept some other convertible currencies as a medium of exchange. However the norm in most establishments is US$ based or its equivalent. Travellers Cheques and International credit cards are widely accepted and international credit cards can be used at ATMs. Bardays and Standard Chartered Banks are on the Cirrus System. Avoid street/boarder moneychangers. Instead it is advisable to change all your money or travellers cheques at commercial banks, hotels or registered bureaux de change.

With the exception of children less than one year of age, all visitors coming to Zimbabwe from infected areas are requested to possess vaccination certificates against cholera and yellow fever. It is not advisable to swim in the country's rivers and dams as they may be infected with bilharzia. It is however worth noting that all tap water is very safe to drink and water in swimming pools is purified hence very safe. If you are intending to visit low-lying areas such as Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba, Gonarezhou and Zambezi Valley, it is advisable to take a course of anti-malaria tablets as a precaution. Prophylaxis is 100 percent effective. However it is always advisable to check with your doctor or pharmacist before travelling to such areas. Most establish­ments in the country do have mosquito nets and repellents.

Regional tourists (except Mozambicans) who wish to bring pets into Zimbabwe should apply for an inter-territorial import and export permit, together with a health certificate from their nearest Veterinary Office. Tourists from other countries should apply well ahead for a permit to : The Director of Veterinary Services, PO Box 8012, Causeway, Harare.

Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business during the following hours :
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday : 08.00 - 15.00 hrs
Wednesdays : 08.00 - 13.00 hrs
Saturday : 08.00 - 11.30 hrs

It sometimes causes inconvenience to arrive in a country on a public holiday and find everything closed or booked up. So book well ahead if you plan to arrive on a holiday weekend or during school holidays. School holidays are between mid April and mid May, mid July and mid September, mid December and mid january.

Unless otherwise stated, the initial tariff is per person per day on a bed and breakfast basis. The tariffs quoted are subject to change. Visitors should confirm charges when making a reservation.

If carried, they must be declared at customs.

Private motor-vehicles, caravans and trailers may be brought temporarily into Zimbabwe, provided they are licensed in their home countries and bear the appropriate registration plates and a nationality plaque. The International Certificate of Motor vehicles is recognised in Zimbabwe. A vehicle toll fee is levied on all vehicles that pass through the Beitbridge border-post.
Vehicles must be insured against third-party risks arising in Zimbabwe : short-term policies are obtainable at border-posts. Visitors driving hired cars from companies registered outside Zimbabwe should check that customs surety arrangements have been made.
International driving and driving licences issued in all SADC countries are valid in Zimbabwe. Visitors from other counties not covered by this agreement are able to drive for a period of 90 days using driving licences issued in their home countries. If not printed in English, it should have a certificate of authority and validity, or a translation of the text with the bearer's photograph attached. Renewal after expiry of this period is obtained from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Drive on the left in Zimbabwe and give way to traffic approaching on the road to your right at uncontrolled intersections. At controlled intersections, motorists are required to yield precedence to pedestrians crossing on a green light. At all intersections, a fire engine, ambulance or police vehicle sounding a siren takes precedence over all other traffic : move out of its course and remain stationary until it has passed. The general speed-limit in Zimbabwe is 120 km/h on open roads and 60 km/h in urban areas, but watch for the signs.

Taxis - can be found at taxi ranks in the main centres or on call from hotels and restaurants.

Car-hire - cars with or without chauffeurs can be hired in most tourist areas from internationally recognizable firms.

Buses - Zimbabwe has a variety of both mid-range and luxury intercity coach services.

Trains - a commuter rail link exist between Harare - Mutare, Harare - Bulawayo and Bulawayo - Victoria Falls. Air services -

Air Zimbabwe, the national airline, operates frequent flights between the main centres and major tourist destinations. Other private scheduled and charter flights are also available on these routes. Feeder services are provided to
regional capitals. International flights are also available.

Road Tours - A selection of road tours are operated at reasonable cost to Zimbabwe's main tourist attractions by registered tour operators. In addition, sight-seeing and game-viewing tours are offered with couriers who are fluent in the main European languages.

Boat Hire - At Kariba, Victoria Falls Mutirikwi and all the other waterbodies in Zimbabwe, boats are available for hire from registered companies and lake cruises and charters are offered at reasonable cost.

As Zimbabwe is south of the Equator, the seasons are in reverse to those in the northern hemisphere with mid-summer at Christmas and winter lasting from May to August. The temperatures given are those for the main centres and it must be realised that it is considerably warmer ail year round in low-lying areas such as Kariba, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Gona-re-Zhou and the Zambezi Valley.
In winter the days are generally dry and sunny with temperatures averaging between i5-2o°C.
Light to medium weight clothing is generally sufficient with a warm coat or woollens to wear outdoors on overcast or windy days. In summer temperatures average between 25-30°C during the day, with the hottest month being October, when températures often exceed 32°C.
Light clothing is essential and it is advisable to wear a hat out of doors. During the rainy season (November to March), a light jacket may be needed in the evenings.
Most hotels expect men to wear a collar, jacket and tie in bars and restaurants after 18.30, except in the warmer parts of the country.

In main centres and main tourist resorts, aLL appliances run on 220/230 volts.
Outlets are of the 3-pin, 13 amp type.

SHOPPING IN ZIMBABWE

In general, shops are open from 08.00 until 17.00 and closed on Saturday aftemoons and Sundays.
Most restaurants are also closed on Sundays.
Selected pharmacies have day-and-night service in all the main centres.
Sales tax is charged on everything, except certain basic commodities, and applies to meals served in hotels and restaurants.
A 2% tourism development levy is levied on all tourism products and services.