Zimbabwe FAQ

If the thought of winter fills you with dread, Zimbabwe may well be the destination of your dreams. Located in the southern hemisphere, not only does Zimbabwe’s winter extend between the start of May and the end of October, but it also corresponds with the country’s warm dry season. Temperatures for May through August hover comfortably between 78 and 82°F (26-28°C).

Meanwhile, the dry conditions make for the best wildlife viewing in Hwange and Matobo national parks, and on the shores of Lake Kariba. The reduced vegetation allows for clearer lines of sight, and the lack of fresh water forces animals to congregate at known waterholes. The latter months, of September and October, is when elephant sightings and temperatures peak. However, those in search of predators are better off visiting Zimbabwe between December and March.

The period between May and October is considered the best time to visit Victoria Falls. Although the falls aren’t at full flood at this time of year, this reduces the amount of spray thrown up by Mosi-oa-Tunya (Lozi for ‘the smoke that thunders’), in turn making for better photography.

The best place to visit in Zimbabwe are Great Zimbabwe, Harere, Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools National Park, Matobo National Park, and Victoria Falls.

A national park is an area set aside and run by a national government whereas a game reserve (aka game park or wildlife park) is a large area of land where wild animals live safely or are hunted in a controlled way for sport. If hunting is prohibited, then a game reserve may be classified as a nature reserve.

U.S. citizens require a passport valid for at least six months, return ticket, and adequate funds to cover your intended stay. You also need a visa, which can be obtained at the airports or other ports-of-entry. You can expect to pay $30 for a 30-day/single-entry visa. If you are planning to arrive in Zimbabwe via South Africa, please ensure that you have at least 6 blank pages in your passport. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Zimbabwean embassy in their country before traveling.

The time zone in Zimbabwe is UTC+2. The country observes Central Africa Time (CAT) all year. There are no daylight savings time clock changes.

The best way to plan a trip to Zimbabwe is to tell us what trip you want, when you want to travel, the number of passengers, and where you want to depart from. For an existing trip, you can either call us or complete the “Get Pricing Now” form on the itinerary page. If you want a personalized tour, you can either call us, email us, or complete the “Contact Us” form on our website.

Yes. Our clients choose their own departure dates, unless there is a cruise or a group tour with a fixed departure date.

All meals are listed on each itinerary as (B,L,D) or Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Typically, breakfast is included daily. The other meals are either included or not, depending upon the itinerary.

We do not include international airfare in the cost of our tours. We will, however, quote it for you and you can purchase it through us if you like. The cost of our international airfare is usually the same or lower than what you can purchase yourself. Domestic airfare may be included in the cost, depending upon the tour.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website provides recommended and/or required vaccinations for each country. For Zimbabwe, it recommends that you should be up-to-date with routine vaccines such as Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu (Influenza), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, and Shingles. It also recommends that you get vaccinated for COVID-19, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid, and that you speak to your doctor about prescription medicine to prevent Malaria. Consider Rabies vaccination if you will be around dogs or wildlife. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from countries with risk for yellow fever virus transmission. Otherwise, it is generally not recommended for travelers to Zimbabwe.

Yes, we recommend travel insurance and strongly believe that you should be protected in the event that something unforeseen happens either before or during your trip. We work with Allianz Travel Insurance, AIG (Travel Guard Travel Insurance), and Travelex Insurance Services.

You will need to check with your cell phone carrier prior to traveling, since every carrier is different.

Voltage: 230 V; Frequency: 50 HZ; Plugs: Type G (UK standard three-prong).

Zimbabwe has over 16 official languages, including Shona, Ndebele, and English. Shona is spoken by over 70% of the population and Ndebele is spoken by roughly 20%. English is commonly spoken and understood. English is the first language of most white Zimbabweans and the second language of most black Zimbabweans.