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Weather & climate
Weather in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
25°
Thunderstorm
Thu
17°
25°
Fri
16°
25°
Sat
15°
27°
Sun
16°
28°
Mon
17°
29°
Tue
17°
30°
Wed
17°
28°
SPF level in Zimbabwe
Recommended: SPF 50+ (extreme)
Spring
SPF 50+
Summer
SPF 50+ (extreme)
Autumn
SPF 50+
Winter
SPF 50+
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Zimbabwe
What British travellers need to know
You must have a visa to visit Zimbabwe and most visitors get their visa on arrival, which is usually granted for 30 days.
To enter Zimbabwe, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 6 months after your arrival date and 3 blank pages.
Take enough US dollars with you in small notes to pay for your visa on arrival.
It is possible to apply for an e-visa before you travel, with options for single or double entry visas.
You can also use the KAZA Univisa, valid for 30 days for travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia and for day trips into Botswana, available at certain airports and land borders for 50 US dollars.
Good to know:
Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more, and you cannot leave Zimbabwe with cash worth more than 2,000 US dollars.
You must have a certificate to prove you've had a yellow fever vaccination if you're coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
Safety in Zimbabwe
Tips when travelling
Zimbabwe is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Be vigilant against mugging, pickpocketing and bag-snatching in city centres, especially after dark.
Carry a copy of your passport's photo page and visa at all times, leaving the original in a safe place.
Do not exchange foreign currency anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers such as banks or bureaux de change.
Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed to protect against smash-and-grab robberies, especially on common routes.
Avoid taking photographs of government offices, airports, military areas, police or demonstrations without permission.
Bonus tips:
It is illegal to wear any form of clothing made from camouflage material.
Be careful when showing affection in public as same-sex relations are illegal and society remains conservative.
More information
Driving in Zimbabwe
A valid UK driving license is accepted. An International Driving Permit is recommended, especially if staying long-term.
Side of road
left
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
60 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.08%
Health in Zimbabwe
Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including repatriation. Check that your insurance covers the activities you plan to do. You may need to pay upfront for medical treatment, so ensure you have access to funds.
Consult your doctor or travel clinic well in advance of your trip to discuss necessary vaccinations and malaria prevention. Zimbabwe has a risk of malaria, so take appropriate precautions, including mosquito repellent, mosquito nets, and antimalarial medication as prescribed by your doctor. Waterborne diseases are a risk, so drink bottled or purified water. Be aware of bilharzia, a parasitic infection, in lakes and rivers. Avoid swimming or wading in fresh water. HIV/AIDS is prevalent; take precautions. GHIC/EHIC is not applicable in Zimbabwe.
Cards & payments
Limited, mainly in larger cities and tourist establishments. It's advisable to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller towns and rural areas.
Visa
Medium
Mastercard
Medium
American Express
Low
Lost card? Call Visa: +1 303 967 1096
Tipping in Zimbabwe
Tipping is customary in Zimbabwe for good service, but not obligatory. A service charge may already be included in restaurant bills, so check first.
Restaurant
10-15% of the bill
Bar/Café
10% of the bill or rounding up
Taxi
Rounding up the fare
Hotel Porter
USD 1-2 per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
USD 1-2 per night
Tour Guide
USD 5-10 per day
Mobile & roaming
Roaming in Zimbabwe can be expensive. Check with your UK mobile provider for international roaming rates. EU roaming regulations no longer apply post-Brexit.
Local SIM
5 GB for USD 20 (~£16)
Network coverage
2G, 3G, 4G
Electrical in Zimbabwe
Voltage
220V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type D, Type G
WiFi & internet
Limited, mostly found in hotels, lodges, and cafes in urban areas.
Average speed
5 Mbps
WiFi is available, but can be unreliable and slow. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for more reliable data access.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
999
Police
995
Ambulance
994
Fire
993
Save 999 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Zimbabwe
Country code
+263
To call a Harare number 772 123 456, you would dial 00 263 772 123 456.
The country code for Zimbabwe is 263. When calling from outside Zimbabwe, dial your international exit code, followed by 263, and then the local number. Mobile numbers usually start with a '7'.
UK Embassy
British Embassy Harare
Corner House, Samora Machel Avenue/Leopold Takawira Street, Harare
Phone
Website
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.