What makes a trip to Zimbabwe special?
From the Zimbabwean side you can see around three-quarters of Victoria Falls in a single view, and Hwange National Park adds one of Africa's largest elephant reserves. Tourist infrastructure around Victoria Falls and in the major safari lodges is well developed, while the country has been under economic strain for years and everyday payments run almost entirely on US-dollar cash.
The capital Harare sits in the hilly northeast at around 1,490 m, while Victoria Falls lies in the far west on the border with Zambia; Hwange National Park lies between them, easily reached from either side. Anyone wanting to combine both poles should plan for a domestic flight — the road connection takes over a full day.
This page summarizes regions, best travel times, entry requirements (as of September 2026), the cash reality, and the advisories from Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA, and shows how the Zimbabwean view of the falls differs from the Zambian side with its Devil's Pool.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
What kind of travel destination is Zimbabwe?
With Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe has the oldest organized tourism infrastructure in southern Africa, shaped by the Victoria Falls Hotel, opened in 1904, and a long guiding tradition. Outside the tourist centers, however, the economy shows constant strain: wages are often paid in US dollars because the domestic currency inspires little trust.
Two speeds in one country
In Victoria Falls, in the lodges around Hwange, and in upscale hotels in Harare, everyday life runs smoothly for travelers: good food, trained guides, reliable transfers. Outside these bubbles, fuel and water shortages and a patchy banking system shape everyday life for the population.
A country named after its own ruins
After independence in 1980, the former Rhodesia took the name Zimbabwe from the Great Zimbabwe ruins near Masvingo, a stone city built by ancestors of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 — a deliberate symbol of African achievement beyond the colonial narrative.
Languages and population
Zimbabwe officially recognizes 16 languages; in everyday life Shona dominates in the center and east, and Ndebele in the southwest around Bulawayo, while authorities, signage and tourism mostly use English.
Which regions of Zimbabwe are worth visiting?
Victoria Falls in the far west and the neighboring Hwange National Park form the core of a Zimbabwe trip for most travelers. Those with more time add a detour to the Great Zimbabwe ruins in the south or a canoe trip along the Zambezi in Mana Pools National Park; Harare usually remains a transit point.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Of the 1,708-metre-wide curtain of water, the larger part lies on the Zimbabwean side; a footpath with around 16 viewpoints runs through the permanently drenched rainforest right to the edge of the gorge. At peak water flow between February and May, spray can obscure the view entirely in places, for which a scenic flight ("Flight of the Angels") or a sunset boat cruise above the falls offers a good alternative.
The town of Victoria Falls itself is compact and entirely geared towards tourism, with the historic Victoria Falls Hotel from 1904 as its best-known property. The Victoria Falls Bridge, opened in 1905 across the gorge, offers a 111-metre bungee jump, a swing and a zip line, and leads directly to the Zambian border at Livingstone.
Hwange National Park
Hwange covers around 14,600 km², making it Zimbabwe's largest protected area. With an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 animals it holds the largest elephant population of any single protected area in the world, alongside more than 100 mammal and 400 bird species, and, across the wider ecosystem, 500 to 700 lions. Founded in 1928, the park is part of the cross-border KAZA conservation area shared with Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.
Harare
Harare sits at around 1,490 m in the elevated northeast and is noticeably cooler than Victoria Falls or Hwange because of its altitude, with jacaranda trees blooming in late Zimbabwean spring (September/October). For most travelers, the capital is primarily a transit point between international flights and domestic connections further west.
Great Zimbabwe and Mana Pools
The Great Zimbabwe ruins near Masvingo in the south give the country its name and are usually visited as a separate detour from Harare, independent of the Victoria Falls route. Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi, opposite Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park, is known for canoe safaris and unaccompanied walking trails under experienced guidance, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
Matobo National Park, around 35 km south of Bulawayo, rounds out the interior with granite domes more than 2 billion years old, more than 3,000 registered San rock art sites, and reintroduced white and black rhinos; it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. As Zimbabwe's oldest national park, founded in 1926, it is best combined with a longer stay around Bulawayo, rather than as a day trip from Victoria Falls or Harare.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Wikipedia
When is the best time to travel to Zimbabwe?
For wildlife viewing in Hwange, the dry season from July to October is ideal, when animals concentrate around the few remaining waterholes. Victoria Falls, by contrast, carries the most water between February and May, peaking in April; from September to November, a large part of the curtain of water can run dry on both sides.
| Harare | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
| Low °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Rainfall mm | 180 | 133 | 94 | 31 | 7 | 3 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 94 | 195 |
| Victoria Falls (Ort) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 31 |
| Low °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Rainfall mm | 139 | 126 | 92 | 33 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 63 | 136 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station ROBERT GABRIEL MUGABE INTL / HARARE (12 km, 1490 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station VICTORIA FALLS INTL (19 km, 1064 m), auf 915 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Because of its altitude, Harare is noticeably cooler at night than the rest of the country: from June to August, lows drop to around 7 to 8 °C, occasionally with frost in the suburbs. Victoria Falls stays warm during the day year-round, with highs above 33 °C in hot October before the first rain showers set in.
Anyone wanting both high water at the falls and dense wildlife concentrations in Hwange will find a compromise in May and June: the falls still carry plenty of water, while the dry season in Hwange is just beginning.
For photographers, the rainy season from November to March is appealing thanks to the green landscape and dramatic storm skies, but it brings worse road conditions off the main routes and less concentrated wildlife viewing in Hwange.
Sources: Wikipedia
What do you need to enter Zimbabwe?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals need a visa, issued on arrival at the international airports of Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls as well as at land borders; a 30-day tourist visa costs 30 US dollars (as of September 2026). Alternatively, the visa can be applied for online in advance via the evisa.gov.zw portal.
- Switzerland, Germany, Austria: Visa required, issued on arrival or as an eVisa in advance; the passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the stay, and proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be requested.
- KAZA Univisa: 50 US dollars, valid for up to 30 days within 12 months for unlimited entries between Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus day trips to Botswana via the Kazungula border crossing. Available at Victoria Falls Airport, Harare Airport and the Victoria Falls Bridge, among other places.
- Online application: Zimbabwe's immigration department eVisa portal allows payment by credit card in advance; according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, entering via a land border can occasionally cause recognition issues with the online-issued document.
- Other nationalities: different rules apply; the authoritative source is the Zimbabwe Department of Immigration and the Zimbabwean embassy or representation in the traveler's home country.
On arrival, an online entry form must also be completed; filling it out on your own device before the flight avoids waiting at the few terminals in the arrivals area.
The current information from Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office, Austria's BMEIA and Zimbabwe's immigration department at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Victoria Falls Guide
Which vaccinations and health precautions does Zimbabwe require?
According to the CDC, malaria occurs throughout the entire country, including Harare and around Victoria Falls, so malaria prophylaxis is recommended for practically every trip to Zimbabwe. A yellow fever vaccination is only mandatory when arriving from a country with yellow fever risk; hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and, depending on the region, cholera precautions are additionally recommended.
According to the CDC, malaria medication options include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine; the choice should be discussed with a doctor before travel. Mosquito protection with repellent and long sleeves at dusk applies countrywide, even in well-equipped lodges.
Medical care is limited in many places because of the strained economy; private clinics in Harare offer the best standard, while outside the major cities and in the national parks there are hardly any hospitals. Travel and repatriation insurance covering an air-ambulance evacuation is therefore practically essential.
According to Austria's BMEIA, cholera vaccination can be considered for certain regions, especially where conditions are basic off the tourist routes. Tap water should be avoided; stick consistently to bottled or filtered water.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How safe is Zimbabwe for travelers?
According to Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA, the political and economic situation are risk factors: demonstrations and strikes can escalate into clashes with security forces, so crowds and political rallies should be avoided. The tourist centers of Victoria Falls and the safari lodges are considered significantly calmer than the larger cities.
According to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, pickpocketing and quick break-ins are increasingly common in the city centers of Harare and Bulawayo; the risk of mugging rises at night, especially at traffic lights. At Harare Airport, travelers are additionally warned about pickpocketing in crowds.
On the foreign-policy side, Austria's BMEIA advises avoiding densely populated suburbs of major cities and political gatherings. In Victoria Falls and around Hwange, attention shifts mainly to wildlife: elephants and buffalo move freely through town at night, so it's best not to walk around unaccompanied after dark.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland
How do you get to Zimbabwe and travel around the country?
Aside from Air Zimbabwe — which operates just two aircraft and one route, to London Gatwick — Harare (HRE) is served directly only by Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa), Kenya Airways (Nairobi) and a handful of other African airlines. Victoria Falls (VFA) is mainly connected regionally; from Europe, travelers typically route via Johannesburg.
| Route | Airline | Hub/region |
|---|---|---|
| Harare – London Gatwick | Air Zimbabwe | Europe (limited capacity) |
| Harare – Dubai | Emirates | Middle East |
| Harare – Doha | Qatar Airways | Middle East |
| Harare – Addis Ababa | Ethiopian Airlines | East Africa |
| Harare – Johannesburg | South African Airways, CemAir, FlySafair | Southern Africa |
| Victoria Falls – Johannesburg | Airlink, CemAir, FastJet Zimbabwe, FlySafair | Southern Africa |
| Victoria Falls – Cape Town, Nairobi | Airlink, Kenya Airways | Regional |
Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport remains the most practical connection for most European travelers: from there, nonstop flights operate from London (British Airways), Paris (Air France), Amsterdam (KLM) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), among others; regional airlines such as Airlink or CemAir then continue on to Victoria Falls or Harare.
Domestic flights connect Harare and Victoria Falls several times a day; the road route via Bulawayo is long and mostly chosen only by self-drivers with several days to spare. For overland arrivals from South Africa, Beitbridge is the main border crossing; for arrivals from Zambia or Botswana, it's the Victoria Falls Bridge and the Kazungula border crossing.
What money do you need in Zimbabwe and how do you pay?
The official currency is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG, "ZiG"), but in everyday travel payment is made almost everywhere in US-dollar cash; the official rate stood at around 25 to 29 ZiG per US dollar in mid-2026. ATMs barely work nationwide, and credit cards are accepted only in a few large hotels.
The ZiG was introduced on 5 April 2024 as a gold-backed currency after earlier Zimbabwean dollar series had been rendered worthless by hyperinflation; the US dollar remains in everyday use alongside it. For travelers, US dollars in small denominations remain the most reliable form of payment for the time being.
Importing cash is unrestricted but should be declared at customs; the duty-free import limit for goods is 2,000 US dollars. Small change is chronically scarce, which makes small bills of 1, 5 and 10 US dollars especially useful for tips and purchases.
Tipping is not mandatory but customary at lodges: expect a few US dollars per guest and day for guides and trackers, and around 10 % of the bill in restaurants if a service charge is not already included.
Sources: Wikipedia · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where is the best place to stay in Zimbabwe?
In Victoria Falls, options range from the historic Victoria Falls Hotel right above the gorge to simple backpacker accommodation in the town center. Around Hwange, lodges are located either inside the park near the waterholes or just outside its edge, while Harare is dominated by business hotels for transit stays.
The Victoria Falls Hotel and several newer lodges are within walking distance of the falls entrance and the rainforest walkway; travelers seeking cheaper options find a wide range in the town center of Victoria Falls, with short walks to restaurants and tour operators.
In Hwange, many camps favor locations directly on one of the pumped waterholes, so wildlife viewing pays off even from the camp's own terrace; other lodges sit outside the park boundary and offer lower prices with similarly close access to wildlife.
What do people eat in Zimbabwe?
Sadza, a thick porridge made from white maize meal, forms the base of almost every traditional meal and is eaten with a relish of vegetables, beans or meat. In lodges, by contrast, an international safari cuisine dominates, often featuring game from controlled farming.
Among the best-known side dishes are muriwo (stewed leafy greens), grilled beef or chicken, and kapenta, small dried fish from Lake Kariba. Chibuku, a cloudy, slightly sour millet beer, is the traditional drink, while Mazoe, a sweet orange cordial, is known nationwide as Zimbabwe's signature soft drink.
In the safari camps around Victoria Falls and Hwange, meals are almost always included in the price, with European-influenced cuisine and the occasional open-air bush dinner. Tap water should be avoided there too — stick to bottled or filtered water.
What culture shapes Zimbabwe?
Shona stone sculpture is regarded internationally as one of Africa's most significant contemporary art forms and is present in galleries from Harare to Victoria Falls. The mbira, a lamellophone made of metal tongues on a wooden body, traditionally accompanies Shona spiritual ceremonies and is considered the origin of one of the country's best-known sounds.
The Ndebele people in the southwest around Bulawayo are additionally known for colorful beadwork and their own style of house painting. A firm handshake, often with a light clap of the free hand, is the customary greeting; particular respect is expected towards elders.
The Great Zimbabwe ruins remain the country's most important cultural reference point and a tangible source of national pride, even for travelers who don't visit them themselves. In the cities, churches of a wide range of Christian denominations shape the Sunday scene, while traditional healers (n'anga) continue to play a role alongside them.
Sources: Wikipedia
What experiences are worthwhile in Zimbabwe?
Highlights include the rainforest walking trail with views of the widest angle on Victoria Falls, a 111-metre bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, and multi-day game drives in Hwange National Park. Those staying longer can add whitewater rafting below the falls or a canoe safari in Mana Pools National Park.
Victoria Falls
The "Flight of the Angels" scenic flight shows the entire curtain of water from above and is especially worthwhile at peak water flow between February and May, when spray makes it hard to see much from the ground. Whitewater rafting through the Batoka Gorge below the falls, with rapids up to grade 5, is considered one of Africa's more intense rafting experiences, usually offered between August and January when water levels are lower.
Hwange
Game drives head to the pumped waterholes, where large elephant herds gather daily during the dry season; some lodges also offer hidden observation hides right at the water's edge for hours of quiet viewing. Walking safaris with licensed guides are also possible, though less common than in Zambia's South Luangwa.
Great Zimbabwe
The stone walls near Masvingo can be visited as a separate, multi-hour detour from Harare, and show the former scale of the Shona trading city, which flourished from the 13th to the 15th century. Because the site is far from Victoria Falls, most travelers plan it as a separate leg or stopover.
How do you travel responsibly in Zimbabwe?
A large share of Hwange's park fees flows directly into anti-poaching patrols and waterholes that are artificially filled during the dry season — one reason many lodges deliberately favor photographic safaris over elephant riding or similar animal-contact attractions. Avoiding these offerings supports the photographic tourism model rather than the exploitative one.
- Choose operators without elephant riding or forced animal interactions; pure observation from a safe distance protects the animals' behavior and social structure.
- Tip guides, trackers and lodge staff directly in cash; it stays immediately within the local economy around the parks.
- Keep water use in lodges deliberately low, since many areas around Victoria Falls and Hwange face seasonal water scarcity.
- For souvenirs, buy Shona stone sculptures and Ndebele beadwork directly from artisans rather than middlemen.
Sources: Wikipedia
Which countries pair well with Zimbabwe?
Zambia is the most obvious choice: the Victoria Falls Bridge connects the town of Victoria Falls with Livingstone in just a few minutes' walk, and the KAZA Univisa covers both countries with a single fee. Via the Kazungula border crossing, a day trip to Botswana can also be added, usually to Chobe National Park.
The overland route to South Africa runs via Beitbridge, though travelers more often take a domestic flight via Johannesburg to continue on to Cape Town or Kruger National Park. Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi can also be combined with a side trip to Zambia or Malawi.
Those wanting to end the trip with a beach stay usually combine Zimbabwe via Johannesburg with the Mozambican or Tanzanian coast, since Zimbabwe itself is landlocked.
Who is Zimbabwe suited for, and who is it less suited for?
Zimbabwe suits travelers who want to combine a dramatic view of Victoria Falls with a well-organized, dense elephant experience in Hwange, and who can cope with a US-dollar cash economy. It's less suited for anyone dependent on working ATMs, reliable card payment, or a politically calm backdrop free of occasional demonstrations.
First-time visitors to southern Africa benefit from the well-established infrastructure around Victoria Falls, which offers an easier entry point than the more untouched Zambia. Adventure sports fans get their fill with bungee, rafting and scenic flights all in one place, a concentration not offered in the same way in Zambia or Botswana.
Anyone who fundamentally wants to avoid politically unstable conditions, or depends on a smooth banking and card system, is often better served by Botswana or Namibia. Travelers with little cash reserve should plan for the US-dollar reality before the trip, not only once on the ground.