Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, Hwange & wild Mana Pools

Most trips arrive at Victoria Falls Airport (the safari gateway) or Harare International; Bulawayo is the gateway to Matobo and the south.

• Regional flights connect Johannesburg and other African hubs to Victoria Falls and Harare — there's no direct service from Australia, so you'll connect via Johannesburg, the Gulf, or Nairobi.
• Light-aircraft transfers link the safari areas (Hwange, Mana Pools, Kariba) — inter-park charter and light-aircraft flights (e.g., Wilderness Air, Mack Air, Safari Logistics into Mana Pools and Hwange) strictly mandate 100% soft-sided, frameless duffel bags (no rigid bottom plates, pull-out handles, or wheels) within the 15–20 kg total limit (inclusive of hand luggage and camera gear) to fit into Cessna Caravan fuselage pods. Check with your lodge before you pack.
• Road transfers are common between Victoria Falls, Hwange and Kariba; distances are long and some roads are rough, so build in time.
• Self-drive is for the experienced and well-prepared only — fuel can be scarce, signage is limited and you'll need to carry cash. Most visitors travel on guided, lodge-arranged transfers instead.
• Driving is on the left.

Zimbabwe is largely a cash economy that runs on US dollars. The local currency is the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold), introduced in 2024, but in practice tourists pay for almost everything in USD.

• Bring US dollars cash — enough for your whole trip, in a mix of small denominations. Notes should be clean, undamaged and ideally series 2013 or newer; worn or torn bills are often refused.
• Cards are accepted at many lodges, hotels and Victoria Falls operators, but acceptance is patchy and connections fail — never rely on them.
• ATMs are scarce and unreliable and may not dispense USD. Don't count on withdrawing cash once you arrive.
• Change is often short — carrying small bills (US$1, US$5, US$10) makes tipping and small purchases far easier.
• Currency rules: Under Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe regulations, the maximum non-declaration physical cash allowance upon departure is US$2,000 equivalent total across all currencies (or up to any higher amount explicitly declared upon arrival on Form 47 / CD1).
• Tell your bank you'll be travelling so any card you do bring isn't blocked.
• Note that Zimbabwe National Parks (Zimparks) conservation and entry fees for foreign tourists (e.g., Victoria Falls rainforest entry ~US$58, Hwange/Mana Pools daily conservation fees) must be paid in USD cash or with international Visa/Mastercard. Warning: Satellite and network connectivity can be highly unstable in remote areas like Hwange and Mana Pools. Never rely entirely on card machines at park gates; you should always carry enough physical USD cash to cover your expected fees.

See your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you leave.

• Malaria — present across much of Zimbabwe. Risk is highest from November to June in areas below 1,200 m, and year-round in the Zambezi valley — that covers Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba. Risk in Harare and Bulawayo (on the high plateau) is slight. Take anti-malarial medication and prevent bites with repellent, long sleeves and trousers at dusk.
• Yellow fever — yellow fever does not occur in Zimbabwe, but you must show a vaccination certificate if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow-fever risk — relevant on multi-country African trips. It is not required for travellers coming directly from Australia. Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is strictly required only if arriving from—or transiting for more than 12 hours through—an airport in a yellow-fever-endemic country (e.g., layovers in Addis Ababa or Nairobi). Direct transit through South Africa (Johannesburg) does not require one.
• Other vaccines — make sure routine vaccinations (including measles/MMR) are current; many travellers also add hepatitis A and typhoid. Ask your doctor.
• Water — drink bottled or filtered water; avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources.

Insurance: medical facilities are limited and you must pay for all care up front, so comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.

Zimbabweans are famously warm and welcoming, and the great majority of safari visits are trouble-free with sensible precautions.

• Petty crime (bag-snatching, pickpocketing) occurs in city centres and at crowded spots — keep valuables out of sight, especially in central Harare and around bus and railway stations.
• Safari areas and lodges are very safe; you'll be in the hands of professional guides.
• Avoid political gatherings, protests and demonstrations — they can turn confrontational, and photographing them, government buildings, the president or military/police is prohibited.
• On the road — avoid driving at night (poor lighting, livestock, potholes), and have small USD notes ready for occasional police checkpoints.
• Wildlife — never walk in unfenced camps at night without an escort, and always follow your guide's instructions.
• Warning that wearing camouflage patterns or military-style clothing is strictly illegal for civilians in Zimbabwe and can lead to questioning, fines, or confiscation by police.
• Note that photographing State House, military installations, police checkpoints, government buildings, and presidential motorcades is strictly prohibited under Zimbabwean law.

Emergencies: Call 999 for police, ambulance or fire. Services can be limited, so also save your lodge's number and your insurer's medical-assistance contact.

Zimbabwe has 16 official languages. The most widely spoken are Shona and Ndebele, while English is the language of business, government, signage and tourism — so you'll get by easily everywhere.

Zimbabweans are courteous and friendly, and a warm greeting and a little patience go a long way. Dress is generally conservative — neutral, modest clothing is appreciated in towns and rural areas, and neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige) work best on safari. Always ask before photographing people, and never photograph soldiers, police, government buildings or the president. Same-sex relationships are criminalised and not socially accepted — LGBTQIA+ travellers should be discreet.

• Mobile coverage (3G/4G) is reasonable in towns and tourist hubs like Victoria Falls, but patchy or absent in remote parks.
• Wi-Fi — most lodges and hotels offer it, though it can be slow or limited to common areas (a good excuse to switch off).
• SIMs & eSIMs — local prepaid SIMs (Econet, NetOne) and eSIMs are available; bring your passport to register a physical SIM. Many travellers find an eSIM bought before departure the easiest option.
• Power cuts (load-shedding) are common; good lodges and hotels run on generators or solar, so charge devices and power banks whenever you can.

Last verified: 16 July 2026. Entry, health and safety rules can change — confirm them before travel.

Key sources:

• Smartraveller — smartraveller.gov.au
• Zimbabwe eVisa Platform — evisa.gov.zw
• Australian Embassy, Harare — zimbabwe.embassy.gov.au