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: 2026-05-19
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000169
AAVE 0.000000
ADA 0.000061
AED 0.000057
AFN 0.000965
AKT 0.000019
ALGO 0.000144
ALL 0.001268
AMD 0.005685
AMP 0.018461
ANG 0.000028
AOA 0.014188
APE 0.000107
APT 0.000016
AR 0.000007
ARB 0.000132
ARS 0.021564
ATOM 0.000008
ATS 0.000183
AUD 0.000022
AVAX 0.000002
AWG 0.000028
AXS 0.000013
AZM 0.131290
AZN 0.000026
BAKE 0.020891
BAM 0.000026
BAT 0.000159
BBD 0.000031
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.001898
BEF 0.000535
BGN 0.000026
BHD 0.000006
BIF 0.046014
BMD 0.000015
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000020
BOB 0.000107
BRL 0.000077
BSD 0.000015
BSV 0.000001
BSW 0.018046
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.000040
BTN 0.001489
BTT 48.009146
BUSD 0.000015
BWP 0.000210
BYN 0.000042
BYR 0.424758
BZD 0.000031
CAD 0.000021
CAKE 0.000011
CDF 0.035447
CELO 0.000192
CFX 0.000262
CHF 0.000012
CHZ 0.000314
CLP 0.013917
CNH 0.000105
CNY 0.000105
COMP 0.000001
COP 0.058681
CRC 0.006993
CRO 0.000221
CRV 0.000065
CSPR 0.005229
CUC 0.000015
CUP 0.000371
CVE 0.001463
CVX 0.000009
CYP 0.000008
CZK 0.000323
DAI 0.000015
DASH 0.000000
DCR 0.000001
DEM 0.000026
DFI 0.015729
DJF 0.002748
DKK 0.000099
DOGE 0.000148
DOP 0.000914
DOT 0.000012
DYDX 0.000107
DZD 0.002051
EEK 0.000208
EGLD 0.000004
EGP 0.000824
ENJ 0.000360
EOS 0.000191
ERN 0.000232
ESP 0.002208
ETB 0.002432
ETC 0.000002
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000013
EURC 0.000013
FEI 0.000016
FIL 0.000016
FIM 0.000079
FJD 0.000034
FKP 0.000012
FLOW 0.000428
FLR 0.001849
FRAX 0.000016
FRF 0.000087
FTT 0.000048
GALA 0.004594
GBP 0.000012
GEL 0.000041
GGP 0.000012
GHC 1.766987
GHS 0.000177
GIP 0.000012
GMD 0.001141
GMX 0.000002
GNF 0.135487
GNO 0.000000
GRD 0.004521
GRT 0.000614
GT 0.000002
GTQ 0.000118
GUSD 0.000015
GYD 0.003230
HBAR 0.000172
HKD 0.000121
HNL 0.000411
HNT 0.000019
HOT 0.038929
HRK 0.000100
HT 0.000107
HTG 0.002022
HUF 0.004784
ICP 0.000006
IDR 0.273779
IEP 0.000010
ILS 0.000045
IMP 0.000012
IMX 0.000091
INJ 0.000003
INR 0.001489
IQD 0.020238
IRR 20.360053
ISK 0.001903
ITL 0.025691
JEP 0.000012
JMD 0.002442
JOD 0.000011
JPY 0.002455
KAS 0.000447
KAVA 0.000268
KCS 0.000002
KDA 0.001857
KES 0.001997
KGS 0.001351
KHR 0.061948
KLAY 0.000297
KMF 0.006528
KNC 0.000108
KPW 0.013901
KRW 0.023249
KSM 0.000003
KWD 0.000005
KYD 0.000013
KZT 0.007248
LAK 0.338796
LBP 1.384684
LDO 0.000043
LEO 0.000002
LINK 0.000002
LKR 0.005144
LRC 0.000953
LRD 0.002831
LSL 0.000257
LTC 0.000000
LTL 0.000046
LUF 0.000535
LUNA 0.000244
LUNC 0.196514
LVL 0.000009
LYD 0.000098
MAD 0.000142
MANA 0.000175
MBX 0.000394
MDL 0.000267
MGA 0.064631
MGF 0.323153
MINA 0.000270
MKD 0.000818
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.032425
MNT 0.055280
MOP 0.000125
MRO 0.006176
MRU 0.000618
MTL 0.000006
MUR 0.000730
MVR 0.000239
MWK 0.026883
MXN 0.000267
MXV 0.000030
MYR 0.000061
MZM 0.986530
MZN 0.000987
NAD 0.000257
NEAR 0.000010
NEO 0.000005
NEXO 0.000017
NFT 54.611618
NGN 0.021177
NIO 0.000568
NLG 0.000029
NOK 0.000143
NPR 0.002383
NZD 0.000026
OKB 0.000000
OMR 0.000006
ONE 0.007535
OP 0.000120
ORDI 0.000004
PAB 0.000015
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000053
PEPE 4.194241
PGK 0.000068
PHP 0.000953
PI 0.000102
PKR 0.004303
PLN 0.000056
POL 0.000170
PTE 0.002660
PYG 0.094010
QAR 0.000056
QNT 0.000000
QTUM 0.000017
ROL 0.691200
RON 0.000069
RPL 0.000009
RSD 0.001557
RUB 0.001119
RUNE 0.000035
RVN 0.002795
RWF 0.022584
SAND 0.000214
SAR 0.000058
SBD 0.000124
SCR 0.000227
SDD 0.927105
SDG 0.009271
SEK 0.000145
SGD 0.000020
SHIB 2.679709
SHP 0.000012
SIT 0.003180
SKK 0.000400
SLE 0.000354
SLL 0.353784
SNX 0.000050
SOL 0.000000
SOS 0.008826
SPL 0.000003
SRD 0.000575
SRG 0.574967
SSP 0.072821
STD 0.328575
STN 0.000329
STX 0.000065
SUI 0.000015
SVC 0.000135
SYP 0.001707
SZL 0.000257
THB 0.000504
THETA 0.000078
TJS 0.000144
TMM 0.270859
TMT 0.000054
TND 0.000045
TON 0.000008
TOP 0.000037
TRL 704.073537
TRX 0.000043
TRY 0.000704
TTD 0.000105
TUSD 0.000015
TVD 0.000022
TWD 0.000489
TWT 0.000032
TZS 0.040190
UAH 0.000682
UGX 0.058211
UNI 0.000004
USD 0.000015
USDC 0.000015
USDD 0.000015
USDP 0.000015
USDT 0.000015
UYU 0.000619
UZS 0.185844
VAL 0.025691
VEB 799,051.853252
VED 0.007990
VEF 799.016205
VES 0.007990
VET 0.002293
VND 0.406694
VUV 0.001834
WAVES 0.000041
WEMIX 0.000057
WOO 0.000915
WST 0.000042
XAF 0.008703
XAG 0.000000
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000042
XCG 0.000028
XCH 0.000006
XDC 0.000497
XDR 0.000011
XEC 2.105655
XEM 0.023208
XLM 0.000105
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.008703
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.001583
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000011
XTZ 0.000045
YER 0.003686
ZAR 0.000257
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.003929
ZMK 0.291926
ZMW 0.000292
ZWD 0.005590
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.