Zimbabwe Travel Guide

Language

English is the official language in Zimbabwe, although it is only spoken as a first language by a tiny percentage of the population. Several indigenous languages are spoken including Shona and Ndebele.

Currency

The official currency is the US dollar (USD). The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWD) was effectively abandoned as the official curency in early 2009. Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops; Many smaller establishments still do not have credit card facilities; Diners Club and American Express are sometimes not accepted. ATM facilities, dispensing US$, are available in the cities.

Time

Local time in Zimbabwe is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current in Zimbabwe is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). International Direct Dialling is available. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)4 for Harare. Telecel, Econet and Net*One operators provide GSM 900 network mobile phone coverage in most cities, towns and tourist areas throughout the country. Internet and email facilities are available in most towns and cities Harare, but internet cafes are generally crowded.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Zimbabwe do not have to pay duty on items to the value of US$250 provided this allowance is not claimed more than once in a 30-day period. These include goods for personal consumption, including tobacco, and alcohol up to 5 liters with no more than 2 liters of this being spirits. Prohibited items include narcotic and amphetamine drugs, honey, indecent or obscene reading material, toy firearms, and blade knives.

Tourist Office

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Harare: +263 (0)4 752570 or www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw

Embassies in Zimbabwe

• United States Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 250 593.
• British Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 8585 5200.
• Canadian Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 252 181.
• Australian High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 852 471.
• South African High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 753 147.
• Honorary Consulate of Ireland, Harare +263 (0)4 771 949.
• New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria (also responsible for Zimbabwe): +27 (0)12 435 9000.

Zimbabwe Embassies Abroad

• Zimbabwe Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 7100.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7836 7755.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 421 2824.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Canberra ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6286 2281.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5125.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

English is the official language in Zimbabwe, although it is only spoken as a first language by a tiny percentage of the population. Several indigenous languages are spoken including Shona and Ndebele.

Currency

The official currency is the US dollar (USD). The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWD) was effectively abandoned as the official curency in early 2009. Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops; Many smaller establishments still do not have credit card facilities; Diners Club and American Express are sometimes not accepted. ATM facilities, dispensing US$, are available in the cities.

Time

Local time in Zimbabwe is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current in Zimbabwe is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). International Direct Dialling is available. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)4 for Harare. Telecel, Econet and Net*One operators provide GSM 900 network mobile phone coverage in most cities, towns and tourist areas throughout the country. Internet and email facilities are available in most towns and cities Harare, but internet cafes are generally crowded.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Zimbabwe do not have to pay duty on items to the value of US$250 provided this allowance is not claimed more than once in a 30-day period. These include goods for personal consumption, including tobacco, and alcohol up to 5 liters with no more than 2 liters of this being spirits. Prohibited items include narcotic and amphetamine drugs, honey, indecent or obscene reading material, toy firearms, and blade knives.

Tourist Office

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Harare: +263 (0)4 752570 or www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw

Embassies in Zimbabwe

• United States Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 250 593.
• British Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 8585 5200.
• Canadian Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 252 181.
• Australian High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 852 471.
• South African High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 753 147.
• Honorary Consulate of Ireland, Harare +263 (0)4 771 949.
• New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria (also responsible for Zimbabwe): +27 (0)12 435 9000.

Zimbabwe Embassies Abroad

• Zimbabwe Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 7100.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7836 7755.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 421 2824.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Canberra ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6286 2281.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5125.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

English is the official language in Zimbabwe, although it is only spoken as a first language by a tiny percentage of the population. Several indigenous languages are spoken including Shona and Ndebele.

Currency

The official currency is the US dollar (USD). The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWD) was effectively abandoned as the official curency in early 2009. Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops; Many smaller establishments still do not have credit card facilities; Diners Club and American Express are sometimes not accepted. ATM facilities, dispensing US$, are available in the cities.

Time

Local time in Zimbabwe is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current in Zimbabwe is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). International Direct Dialling is available. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)4 for Harare. Telecel, Econet and Net*One operators provide GSM 900 network mobile phone coverage in most cities, towns and tourist areas throughout the country. Internet and email facilities are available in most towns and cities Harare, but internet cafes are generally crowded.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Zimbabwe do not have to pay duty on items to the value of US$250 provided this allowance is not claimed more than once in a 30-day period. These include goods for personal consumption, including tobacco, and alcohol up to 5 liters with no more than 2 liters of this being spirits. Prohibited items include narcotic and amphetamine drugs, honey, indecent or obscene reading material, toy firearms, and blade knives.

Tourist Office

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Harare: +263 (0)4 752570 or www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw

Embassies in Zimbabwe

• United States Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 250 593.
• British Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 8585 5200.
• Canadian Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 252 181.
• Australian High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 852 471.
• South African High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 753 147.
• Honorary Consulate of Ireland, Harare +263 (0)4 771 949.
• New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria (also responsible for Zimbabwe): +27 (0)12 435 9000.

Zimbabwe Embassies Abroad

• Zimbabwe Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 7100.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7836 7755.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 421 2824.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Canberra ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6286 2281.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5125.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.

Language

English is the official language in Zimbabwe, although it is only spoken as a first language by a tiny percentage of the population. Several indigenous languages are spoken including Shona and Ndebele.

Currency

The official currency is the US dollar (USD). The Zimbabwe dollar (ZWD) was effectively abandoned as the official curency in early 2009. Major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops; Many smaller establishments still do not have credit card facilities; Diners Club and American Express are sometimes not accepted. ATM facilities, dispensing US$, are available in the cities.

Time

Local time in Zimbabwe is GMT +2.

Electricity

Electrical current in Zimbabwe is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three rectangular blade plugs are common.

Communications

The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). International Direct Dialling is available. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)4 for Harare. Telecel, Econet and Net*One operators provide GSM 900 network mobile phone coverage in most cities, towns and tourist areas throughout the country. Internet and email facilities are available in most towns and cities Harare, but internet cafes are generally crowded.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Zimbabwe do not have to pay duty on items to the value of US$250 provided this allowance is not claimed more than once in a 30-day period. These include goods for personal consumption, including tobacco, and alcohol up to 5 liters with no more than 2 liters of this being spirits. Prohibited items include narcotic and amphetamine drugs, honey, indecent or obscene reading material, toy firearms, and blade knives.

Tourist Office

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Harare: +263 (0)4 752570 or www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw

Embassies in Zimbabwe

• United States Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 250 593.
• British Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 8585 5200.
• Canadian Embassy, Harare: +263 (0)4 252 181.
• Australian High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 852 471.
• South African High Commission, Harare: +263 (0)4 753 147.
• Honorary Consulate of Ireland, Harare +263 (0)4 771 949.
• New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria (also responsible for Zimbabwe): +27 (0)12 435 9000.

Zimbabwe Embassies Abroad

• Zimbabwe Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 7100.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7836 7755.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 421 2824.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Canberra ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6286 2281.
• Zimbabwe Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5125.

Emergency

Emergencies: 999.