Africa · Southern Africa

Zimbabwe

Republic of Zimbabwe

Flag of Zimbabwe
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+02:00
🏛️ Capital
Harare
👥 Population
17,073,087
📐 Area
390,757 km²
💱 Currency
Zimbabwean dollar ($)
🗣️ Languages
Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Chewa, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language
📞 Calling Code
+263
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+02:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Southern Africa

About Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a country that has endured extraordinary hardship and yet managed to preserve, in its landscapes and its people, an openness and generosity that make it one of Africa's most rewarding destinations. Sharing the mighty Victoria Falls with Zambia on its northwestern border, Zimbabwe greets most visitors with one of the world's greatest natural spectacles — a kilometre-wide curtain of white water thundering into the Zambezi gorge, sending clouds of spray visible for miles and filling the air with a constant, awesome roar. Standing on the edge of the Zimbabwean bank, drenched to the skin by the spray, watching the water disappear into the chasm below, is one of those travel experiences that resets your scale of reference entirely.

But Zimbabwe is much more than its famous waterfall. Hwange National Park, one of Africa's largest and most impressive game reserves, shelters one of the continent's greatest elephant populations — an estimated 45,000 animals — alongside buffalo herds thousands strong, lions, painted wild dogs, and the full complement of African megafauna. Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi floodplain, where elephants stand on their hind legs to reach acacia pods and lions hunt hippos at the water's edge, is among the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on the continent and one of only a handful of parks where you can walk unguided. The Eastern Highlands, rising to 2,592 metres at Mount Nyangani, offer tea plantations, waterfalls, trout-filled streams, and a cool green landscape startlingly different from the dry savanna below.

The people of Zimbabwe carry their country's turbulent recent history with a dignity and resilience that humbles most visitors. Despite decades of economic hardship, hyperinflation, and political instability, Zimbabweans are among the most educated, articulate, and warmly welcoming people you will encounter anywhere in Africa. Coming here requires neither caution nor courage — it requires simply the willingness to be surprised, moved, and repeatedly reminded that great places are ultimately defined by great people.

History & Background

Zimbabwe's history stretches back to one of Africa's most remarkable pre-colonial civilisations. The Great Zimbabwe monument — a vast complex of dry-stone walls and enclosures covering 722 hectares in the south-central plateau, built between the 11th and 15th centuries — was the capital of a Shona kingdom that controlled the gold trade between the African interior and the Arab and Swahili traders of the Indian Ocean coast. At its peak, Great Zimbabwe housed an estimated 18,000 people and represented a level of political and economic organisation that contradicted, for centuries, European assumptions about African civilisation. The soapstone Zimbabwe Bird, carved sculptures found at the site, became the national symbol and appear on the Zimbabwean flag.

European contact arrived with Portuguese traders in the 16th century, followed by missionaries and settlers in the 19th century. Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company seized control of the territory in 1890, creating what became Southern Rhodesia — a settler-dominated colony built on the dispossession of African land and labour. The Chimurenga War of 1896–97, in which both Shona and Ndebele peoples rose against settler rule, established a tradition of resistance that culminated in the liberation struggle of the 1960s and 1970s. Independence as Zimbabwe was achieved on 18 April 1980 under Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, initially to widespread international hope. The land reform programme of the early 2000s, widespread political violence, and economic collapse under Mugabe's long rule cast a long shadow, though the country has been on a cautious path of recovery since the 2017 change of government.

Culture & People

Zimbabwean culture is a rich blend of Shona and Ndebele traditions, colonial history, and contemporary African identity. The Shona people, who make up the majority of the population, have one of the world's great sculptural traditions: Shona stone sculpture, which emerged as a recognised contemporary art movement in the 1950s and 1960s under the encouragement of Frank McEwen at the National Gallery of Rhodesia, has achieved international recognition for its distinctive aesthetic — organic, spiritual forms that seem to emerge from the stone rather than be imposed on it. Sculptures by artists like Joram Mariga, Henry Munyaradzi, and Nicholas Mukomberanwa are held in major museum collections worldwide.

Music is central to Zimbabwean cultural life. Mbira music — played on the lamellaphone, an instrument of thin metal tines plucked over a resonator box, often inside a calabash gourd — is the ceremonial and spiritual music of the Shona people, used in bira ceremonies to communicate with ancestral spirits. In a secular context, it forms the foundation of Zimbabwe's most celebrated popular export: chimurenga music, developed by the legendary Thomas Mapfumo, who blended mbira rhythms with electric guitar and politically charged lyrics. The Ndebele people of Matabeleland bring their own distinct musical and beadwork traditions, with elaborate geometric patterns in necklaces, aprons, and decorative arts that are among Southern Africa's finest.

Food & Cuisine

Zimbabwean cuisine shares the maize-centred foundations common to much of Southern and Eastern Africa, with sadza — a thick, stiff maize porridge virtually identical to Zambia's nshima — forming the basis of virtually every traditional meal. Sadza is eaten with the right hand, rolled into a small ball, and dipped into accompanying dishes: nyama (meat stew), muriwo (leafy vegetable relish, often made with pumpkin leaves or rape), matemba (dried kapenta fish in tomato and onion), or groundnut (peanut) sauce. Game meat appears frequently on menus both traditional and upscale — impala, kudu, warthog, and crocodile are all eaten and game ranching has preserved wildlife while providing food and livelihoods.

Harare and Victoria Falls have developed sophisticated dining scenes that reflect Zimbabwe's cosmopolitan heritage and the high educational level of its population. The legacy of the British colonial era has left a strong tradition of baking and roasting — Zimbabwean beef, often grass-fed on vast cattle ranches, is of exceptional quality when you can find it. The mushroom season after the first rains brings a passion for wild mushroom gathering across the country; specific varieties like dovi and nhiri are dried and added to stews with an earthiness that is deeply Zimbabwean. Chibuku, a traditional sorghum-based opaque beer sold in cardboard cartons, is the everyday drink of millions and a deeply communal experience; commercial Castle and Lion lagers are the mainstream alternatives.

Top Attractions

  • Victoria Falls — The Zimbabwean side of Mosi-oa-Tunya offers the classic face-on view of the world's largest waterfall, with the rainforest walk, Devil's Pool swimming, and world-class white-water rafting all accessible from Vic Falls town.
  • Hwange National Park — Home to approximately 45,000 elephants — one of Africa's greatest concentrations — along with vast buffalo herds, prides of lions, painted wild dogs, and over 400 bird species across 14,651 square kilometres of wilderness.
  • Mana Pools National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage floodplain wilderness on the Zambezi where you can walk unguided among elephant and buffalo, watch lions hunt at the water's edge, and canoe through one of Africa's most dramatic river landscapes.
  • Great Zimbabwe National Monument — The extraordinary dry-stone ruins of the 11th–15th century Shona capital, the largest ancient structure in sub-Saharan Africa south of the Sahara, and the spiritual and historical heart of Zimbabwean national identity.
  • Matobo Hills — A UNESCO World Heritage landscape of tumbled granite kopjes, ancient San rock paintings, and the graves of both Mzilikazi (Ndebele king) and Cecil Rhodes, offering also some of Africa's best white rhino tracking on foot.
  • Eastern Highlands — The cool, green mountain region bordering Mozambique, where the Vumba Botanical Gardens, Nyanga National Park, and the Chimanimani wilderness offer trekking, trout fishing, and a landscape completely unlike the rest of Zimbabwe.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Obtain a KAZA UniVisa (US$50) if combining Zimbabwe and Zambia — it provides multiple entries to both countries and is excellent value for a Vic Falls-based itinerary covering both sides of the border.
  • Zimbabwe uses multiple currencies simultaneously including USD, ZAR, and the Zimbabwean ZiG; USD is the most universally accepted and practical currency for tourists — carry small denominations as change can be difficult.
  • Book Mana Pools canoe safaris and walking permits well in advance — this is one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife experiences and capacity is strictly limited to protect the ecosystem.
  • The Bulawayo and Matobo Hills area in southwestern Zimbabwe is often overlooked by visitors rushing between Harare and Vic Falls — the ancient rock paintings, Cecil Rhodes's grave, and extraordinary kopje landscapes are worth a dedicated detour.
  • Harare has a vibrant arts scene; visit the National Gallery and the Chapungu Sculpture Park to see Shona stone sculpture at its finest, from established masters to emerging artists.
  • Travel with a good medical kit and ensure comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover — medical facilities outside Harare and Bulawayo are limited.
  • Photography of government buildings, airports, military installations, and official personnel is prohibited and can attract unwanted attention from authorities — ask before photographing anything that could be considered official.

Visa Overview

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Zimbabwe, available on arrival at major border crossings and international airports for approximately US$30–75 depending on nationality and visa type. The KAZA UniVisa (US$50) is the best option for those combining Zimbabwe and Zambia. Citizens of SADC member states and many Commonwealth countries may qualify for visa-free entry or reduced fees. The e-visa system at evisa.gov.zw allows advance applications. A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity and two blank pages is required. Proof of sufficient funds and onward travel may be requested at entry. Always verify current requirements with the Zimbabwe Immigration Department before travel.

Getting Around

Zimbabwe's main international airport is Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, with a secondary hub at Victoria Falls International Airport. Harare to Victoria Falls by air takes approximately 90 minutes and multiple airlines serve the route. Intercape and Pathfinder buses connect major cities with reasonable reliability, though long-distance bus travel is slow. Self-drive is practical on main roads but requires awareness of road conditions, fuel availability, and speed cameras. Zimbabwe drives on the left. For national park access, a 4WD is strongly recommended. Many safari operators offer scheduled transfers between Victoria Falls, Hwange, Bulawayo, and Harare that are efficient and competitively priced.

Safety Notes

Zimbabwe is generally safe for tourists, particularly in the main visitor areas of Victoria Falls, Hwange, and the Eastern Highlands. Petty theft occurs in Harare and Bulawayo — standard urban precautions with valuables apply. Wildlife poses real danger in unfenced national parks; always follow ranger and guide instructions and never approach animals on foot without an experienced armed guide. Road safety is a genuine concern — potholes, wandering livestock, and poorly lit roads make night driving risky. Be aware of political sensitivities around photography and public commentary on government. Carry malaria prophylaxis and a first aid kit for remote travel.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) $
Updated: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000143
AAVE 0.000000
ADA 0.000056
AED 0.000055
AFN 0.000964
AKT 0.000019
ALGO 0.000114
ALL 0.001222
AMD 0.005416
AMP 0.023631
ANG 0.000027
AOA 0.013720
APE 0.000089
APT 0.000019
AR 0.000003
ARB 0.000074
ARS 0.022909
ATOM 0.000009
ATS 0.000184
AUD 0.000022
AVAX 0.000001
AWG 0.000027
AXS 0.000011
AZM 0.127092
AZN 0.000025
BAKE 0.062262
BAM 0.000026
BAT 0.000146
BBD 0.000030
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.001839
BEF 0.000539
BGN 0.000026
BHD 0.000006
BIF 0.045063
BMD 0.000015
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000019
BOB 0.000179
BRL 0.000078
BSD 0.000015
BSV 0.000001
BSW 0.035993
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.000211
BTG 0.000023
BTN 0.001442
BTT 39.927093
BUSD 0.000015
BWP 0.000207
BYN 0.000045
BYR 0.292637
BZD 0.000030
CAD 0.000021
CAKE 0.000006
CDF 0.034561
CELO 0.000142
CFX 0.000277
CHF 0.000012
CHZ 0.000895
CLP 0.014650
CNH 0.000100
CNY 0.000100
COMP 0.000001
COP 0.049048
CRC 0.006849
CRO 0.000219
CRV 0.000039
CSPR 0.005800
CUC 0.000015
CUP 0.000358
CVE 0.001474
CVX 0.000006
CYP 0.000008
CZK 0.000327
DAI 0.000015
DASH 0.000000
DCR 0.000001
DEM 0.000026
DFI 0.022600
DJF 0.002666
DKK 0.000100
DOGE 0.000157
DOP 0.000895
DOT 0.000012
DYDX 0.000103
DZD 0.001999
EEK 0.000209
EGLD 0.000003
EGP 0.000787
ENJ 0.000447
EOS 0.000155
ERN 0.000224
ESP 0.002224
ETB 0.002441
ETC 0.000002
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000013
EURC 0.000013
FEI 0.000015
FIL 0.000014
FIM 0.000079
FJD 0.000034
FKP 0.000011
FLOW 0.000473
FLR 0.002070
FRAX 0.000015
FRF 0.000088
FTT 0.000058
GALA 0.006029
GBP 0.000011
GEL 0.000039
GGP 0.000011
GHC 1.752982
GHS 0.000175
GIP 0.000011
GMD 0.001107
GMX 0.000002
GNF 0.131598
GNO 0.000000
GRD 0.004556
GRT 0.000500
GT 0.000001
GTQ 0.000114
GUSD 0.000015
GYD 0.003125
HBAR 0.000145
HKD 0.000117
HNL 0.000402
HNT 0.000026
HOT 0.033394
HRK 0.000101
HT 0.000414
HTG 0.001957
HUF 0.004930
ICP 0.000005
IDR 0.268256
IEP 0.000011
ILS 0.000046
IMP 0.000011
IMX 0.000082
INJ 0.000002
INR 0.001442
IQD 0.019575
IRR 26.076630
ISK 0.001834
ITL 0.025887
JEP 0.000011
JMD 0.002365
JOD 0.000011
JPY 0.002364
KAS 0.000350
KAVA 0.000217
KCS 0.000002
KDA 0.001609
KES 0.001926
KGS 0.001308
KHR 0.060619
KLAY 0.000397
KMF 0.006577
KNC 0.000106
KPW 0.013437
KRW 0.020134
KSM 0.000003
KWD 0.000005
KYD 0.000012
KZT 0.006706
LAK 0.336993
LBP 1.340369
LDO 0.000032
LEO 0.000002
LINK 0.000001
LKR 0.004941
LRC 0.001421
LRD 0.002568
LSL 0.000250
LTC 0.000000
LTL 0.000046
LUF 0.000539
LUNA 0.000295
LUNC 0.284285
LVL 0.000009
LYD 0.000096
MAD 0.000147
MANA 0.000147
MBX 0.000502
MDL 0.000267
MGA 0.066630
MGF 0.333149
MINA 0.000093
MKD 0.000819
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.031387
MNT 0.053814
MOP 0.000121
MRO 0.006005
MRU 0.000600
MTL 0.000006
MUR 0.000724
MVR 0.000231
MWK 0.025908
MXN 0.000273
MXV 0.000031
MYR 0.000061
MZM 0.954410
MZN 0.000954
NAD 0.000250
NEAR 0.000003
NEO 0.000006
NEXO 0.000017
NFT 62.203872
NGN 0.019843
NIO 0.000549
NLG 0.000029
NOK 0.000144
NPR 0.002308
NZD 0.000027
OKB 0.000000
OMR 0.000006
ONE 0.000102
OP 0.000114
ORDI 0.000003
PAB 0.000015
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000052
PEPE 3.405087
PGK 0.000067
PHP 0.000938
PI 0.000172
PKR 0.004140
PLN 0.000059
POL 0.000138
PTE 0.002680
PYG 0.087296
QAR 0.000054
QNT 0.000000
QTUM 0.000015
ROL 0.714496
RON 0.000071
RPL 0.000008
RSD 0.001562
RUB 0.001254
RUNE 0.000019
RVN 0.006269
RWF 0.022086
SAND 0.000205
SAR 0.000056
SBD 0.000121
SCR 0.000213
SDD 0.897479
SDG 0.008975
SEK 0.000151
SGD 0.000019
SHIB 2.533297
SHP 0.000011
SIT 0.003204
SKK 0.000403
SLE 0.000345
SLL 0.344565
SNX 0.000059
SOL 0.000000
SOS 0.008521
SPL 0.000002
SRD 0.000565
SRG 0.565414
SSP 0.085413
STD 0.330361
STN 0.000330
STX 0.000038
SUI 0.000012
SVC 0.000131
SYP 0.194126
SZL 0.000250
THB 0.000504
THETA 0.000066
TJS 0.000138
TMM 0.261655
TMT 0.000052
TND 0.000045
TOP 0.000036
TRL 735.022543
TRX 0.000045
TRY 0.000735
TTD 0.000101
TUSD 0.000015
TVD 0.000022
TWD 0.000476
TWT 0.000026
TZS 0.039351
UAH 0.000672
UGX 0.059635
UNI 0.000002
USD 0.000015
USDC 0.000015
USDD 0.000015
USDP 0.000015
USDT 0.000015
UYU 0.000602
UZS 0.176088
VAL 0.025887
VEB 1,296,464.175257
VED 0.012965
VEF 1,296.464175
VES 0.012965
VET 0.001720
VND 0.388954
VUV 0.001801
WAVES 0.000050
WEMIX 0.000077
WOO 0.001109
WST 0.000041
XAF 0.008770
XAG 0.000000
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000040
XCG 0.000027
XCH 0.000009
XDC 0.000454
XDR 0.000011
XEC 1.840468
XEM 0.026150
XLM 0.000067
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.008770
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.001595
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000010
XTZ 0.000046
YER 0.003534
ZAR 0.000250
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.004172
ZMK 0.293642
ZMW 0.000294
ZWD 0.005411
ZWG 0.000400

No currencies match your search.

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Zimbabwe needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Zimbabwe?
The capital of Zimbabwe is Harare.
What currency does Zimbabwe use?
Zimbabwe uses the Zimbabwean dollar ($) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Zimbabwe?
The official language(s) of Zimbabwe include Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Chewa, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language.
What is the population of Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has a population of approximately 17,073,087 people.
What region is Zimbabwe in?
Zimbabwe is located in Africa, specifically in the Southern Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Zimbabwe?
The international dialing code for Zimbabwe is +263.
What time zones does Zimbabwe observe?
Zimbabwe observes the following time zone(s): UTC+02:00.
What is the current time in Zimbabwe?
The local time in Zimbabwe is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe covers a total area of 390,757 km².
How many states or provinces does Zimbabwe have?
Zimbabwe is divided into 12 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Zimbabwe in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Zimbabwe in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Zimbabwe?
Visa requirements for citizens of Zimbabwe vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.