Zimbabwe trip planner

Zimbabwe Holiday Planning Guide

Tourism in Zimbabwe experienced a boost after the country's turbulent recent history seemed to settle down. Waterfalls, "Big Five" national parks, and the Eastern Highlands provide contrasting but complementary images of southern Africa, with the growing tourism infrastructure helping visitors see the best of what the country offers. Though corruption and unemployment remain everyday problems, the vast majority of Zimbabweans are a welcoming bunch, proud of the natural riches and culture of their hopeful country.

Places to Visit in Zimbabwe

Regions of Zimbabwe

Matabeleland North Province: Marvel at awe-inspiring waterfalls and explore local tribes in this pristine region, boasting many national parks and conservation areas full of wildlife and adventure opportunities.

Manicaland Province: Explore misty mountain ranges and hidden waterfalls in this rugged province, in which you can enjoy memorable safari tours.

Bulawayo Province: Deepen your understanding of Africa during your Zimbabwe vacation by visiting this region, housing ancient ruins and modern museums.

Masvingo Province: This area contains many conservation areas sheltering endangered species, as well as the oldest settlement in the country.

Mashonaland West Province: Pristine nature in this area draws visitors interested in taking safari tours, fishing, and caving.

Cities in Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls: One of the most popular attractions in Zimbabwe, this town caters to tourists with a big array of hotels, shopping, and dining options.

Harare: Tree-lined avenues and modern high-rises distinguish this vibrant city, the country financial and commercial hub.

Bulawayo: A great base for visiting national parks, World Heritage ruins, and spectacular waterfalls, Bulawayo attracts visitors with its nightlife, colonial-era buildings, and long boulevards flanked by informative museums and traditional arts and crafts markets.

Mutare: Tourism in Mutare focuses on the nearby national parks--visitors come to see the wildlife and enjoy the pleasant climate.

Popular Zimbabwe Tourist Attractions

Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls National Park: This World Heritage Site contains the world's biggest and most impressive waterfall, along with a range of wildlife.

Wild Is Life Trust and ZEN: Get friendly with baby elephants and lions at this sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned animals.

Hwange National Park: The country's biggest game reserve offers spectacular safari tours ensuring close looks at lions hunting antelopes and elephants rolling in the dust.

Matobo National Park: Nature lovers on holiday in Zimbabwe are enchanted by this World Heritage-listed national park, surrounded by spectacular granite rocks and home to endangered rhinos and various birds of prey.

Great Zimbabwe: Yet another World Heritage-listed Zimbabwe tourist attraction, this former capital of a medieval kingdom remains a great example of Iron Age construction.

Kuimba Shiri Bird Sanctuary: This lakeshore bird sanctuary with over 400 species provides a great family-friendly experience that's both fun and educational.

Lake Kariba: While cormorants and eagles patrol the lakeshore, tourists board houseboats and spend their time suntanning and spotting the wildlife in and around this big body of water.

Mukuvisi Woodlands: If you take a trip to Zimbabwe to see giraffes and zebras, make sure you don't miss this area, where you can hike to watering holes where wild animals go to slake their thirst and bathe.

Antelope Park: Here, you can walk with rehabilitating lions and enjoy safari rides, night drives to see big game, and bird-watch.

Lion and Cheetah Park: Enter the world of large felines and other wildlife at this sanctuary, housing albino lions, large tortoises, and baby turtles.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in Zimbabwe

Cuisine of Zimbabwe

Though bread and rice are eaten in all parts of the country, maize/corn remains the staple food for many locals. Corn is usually ground into maize flour (called mealie-meal), which is then used to cook thick porridges, often served with vegetables or meat.

Popular dishes you'll likely taste during your vacation in Zimbabwe include "sadza" (a stiff maize meal like a thickened porridge), "kapenta" (stewed with tomatoes and onions and served with fresh greens and sadza), "bota" (porridge flavored with peanut butter, milk, and jam or butter and eaten at breakfast), and "nhedzi" (soup made with wild mushrooms).

Although quite African in character, Zimbabwean cuisine also contains elements of European cooking. "Dovi," for instance, is a peanut butter stew with veggies or meat--peanuts were brought into Zimbabwe in the 16th century by Portuguese traders.

You'll find international brands of beer in better eateries and hotel bars, but if you want to wash down a meal with a traditional drink, try some "whawha" (maize beer).

Shopping in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is known for exquisite handcrafted jewelry made of locally mined gemstones, as well as beautifully crafted copperware. Other popular souvenir ideas include soapstone or copper carvings, basketwork, leather products, and pottery. In some arts and crafts markets in the country, you can even barter some of your clothes or footwear for a traditional mask.

You'll find malls and big stores in major urban centers, but if you'd rather skip Western-style shopping and go for some traditional experiences, visit places like Elephant's Walk Shopping and Artist's Village.

There, you'll find shops, art galleries, artisan studios, and vibrant cafes in a tropical garden. The project promotes local artists and craftspeople, who make and sell their products on site. Look for unique jewelry, wooden figures, and all kinds of decorative items that'll liven up your home and always remind you of your Zimbabwe holiday.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to Zimbabwe

Interesting Facts About Zimbabwe

* Zimbabwe boasts the highest literacy rate in Africa

* Some of the world's largest platinum and diamond reserves are found in Zimbabwe

* The Biblical King Solomon got his ivory and gold from Ophir, believed to have been located in modern-day Zimbabwe

* Zimbabwe has the largest waterfall in the world, as well as the world's largest man-made reservoir, both on the Zambezi River

* Zimbabwe's capital city Harare is one of the safest and most easily navigable cities in Africa

Things You Should NOT Do in Zimbabwe

Refusing a gift is considered the utmost insult in Zimbabwe, so be mindful of this as you make new friendships and engage with the locals.

When meeting someone new, don't ask questions before conversing a bit about general subjects--chitchat may be just that, but it's polite to ask a person about how their day is going before assailing them with various queries.

Holidays & Festivals in Zimbabwe

Harare hosts two major cultural events, Harare International Festival of the Arts in late April, and Zimbabwe Fashion Week at the end of August. Add either to your Zimbabwe itinerary to experience the country's vibrant cultural scene.

Every other year in late May, Bulawayo hosts a music festival showcasing a range of genres, including pop, jazz, gospel, and classical.

Celebrating traditional cultures, Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival is held in November, bringing together primary school children from across Zimbabwe--finalists compete for top prizes in Harare or Bulawayo.

Harare also hosts the International Food Festival in November--the event summons the country's top chefs and foodies from across the region.

Useful Zimbabwe Travel Tips

Common Greetings in Zimbabwe

It is common for men and women to shake hands. This is the preferred form of greeting--hugging is usually reserved for members of the same sex and members of the same family.

In cities, women greet other women with a handshake, but in rural areas a slight bending of one's knee is often added to the handshake.

Two gentle claps of hands denote gratitude, but if one of your hands is busy, you can clap the free hand on your chest.

Climate of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe enjoys a varied climate (from tropical savannah to humid subtropical) greatly affected by altitude. In general, the entire country experiences two distinct seasons.

The dry season begins in May and ends in September. Rains come in November and last through April--the rainiest month is January.

If you plan your trip to Zimbabwe for the period between April and October, you'll benefit from sunny days and cool nights.

July through September is the peak season, with tourists arriving in flocks to view the wildlife, canoe, and whitewater raft.

Average summer temperatures are 17-31 C (62.6-87.8 F), while winter average is 7-29 C (44.6-84.2 F).

Transportation in Zimbabwe

Express buses come in two variations--"luxury" vehicles that operate according to advertised timetables, and "chicken buses" that mostly service the local population and may not follow a strict schedule.

Several bus companies cover the routes between Harare, Victoria Falls, and Bulawayo, destinations frequented by most tourists.

Within cities, taxis are safe and reliable. Most are metered and can be summoned from a hotel front desk.

Renting a car is another option you can consider for your holiday in Zimbabwe. If you do, keep in mind that you can use your home country's driving license for up to 90 days--as long as it's in English.

Also remember that most rental companies require drivers to be at least 23 years old--maximum age is generally 65. Be sure your rental has all the legally required gear, as the police regularly set up roadblocks and issue fines for missing safety items.

If you'd rather skip the hassle of driving, use the train. Major railway services link Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls. For long distance travel, go with first class, which gets you a sleeping berth.

Tipping in Zimbabwe

Tipping for good service is common in Zimbabwe. Some establishments automatically include a service fee on the bill. Leaving 5-10 percent of the total is customary if they don't.