Tailor-made Zimbabwe Holidays

Time difference: GMT +2

Flight time: London + 14-15 hours

Currency: Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWD) and United States Dollar (USD)

Language: 16 official languages including English, Shona, Ndebele and Tswana

Electricity: 220v

Telephone code: +263

Tipping: Many lodges include all meals however, if you are eating out, 10-15% is the normal tipping guideline for restaurants.  Safari guides should be tipped directly and tipping guidelines are normally available at the lodges. As a general guide, USD$10-20 per person per day is standard for your guide and USD$5 for your tracker. USD$5 per day can be put in the communal tip box to be shared amongst the rest of the lodge staff.

Etiquette: When meeting Zimbabweans for the first time, a handshake is the most common form of greeting but don’t be surprised if this is longer than usual with a grasp of the thumbs at the end.  Elders should always be greeted first and their opinions should be accepted even if you have a different opinion.

If you are touring, do not take photos of government buildings, police, military personnel or any political demonstrations. As with most countries, ask permission before taking photos of people.

Religions: Like many African sub-Saharan countries, Christianity was introduced by the British missionaries and is now the main religion in Zimbabwe, with Protestantism the main denomination. The Shona may believe in Mwari (God), but they will probably also follow their traditional religions where they communicate with the spirit of their ancestors. They believe in good (Vadzimu) and bad (Shave) spirits.

Visas: You can look up the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe. Please be aware that this information can change at short notice.

Vaccinations: Health risks vary depending on the destination so it’s essential to check the specific vaccination and hygiene requirements for Zimbabwe on the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Whilst Victoria Falls can be visited year-round, the amount of water cascading over the escarpment varies throughout the year. The highest water levels are generally from February to May, after the summer rains. At this time, the noise of the falls can be thunderous and you can expect to get very wet from the spray.  From July, as water levels start to drop, access to Devil’s Pool may be possible and white-water rafting on the Zambezi can operate.

During the wet season, from December to March, many camps and lodges in Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks are closed. June to October is a popular time for safari as large concentrations of wildlife congregate on the banks of the Zambezi River and vast herds of elephant and buffalo can be seen in Hwange National Park. During this time, it is warm in the daytime but can be cold in the mornings and evenings so make sure to pack plenty of layers.

There are domestic flights connecting the major cities within Zimbabwe. If you are visiting a few national parks, light aircraft transfers can be arranged directly to the lodges.  Access to Victoria Falls from Botswana and Zambia can be done by road and there are regular flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. Some of the lodges on the banks of Zambezi offer boat transfers directly to the property.

If you are visiting both Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park, you can travel by road, a journey time of approximately three hours. The road network is good and driving is on the left. Boat cruises are a great way to see Lake Kariba and the wildlife at Mana Pools.

In Zimbabwe, the setting of a meal can be as important as the menu itself. Whether it’s a bush breakfast in Hwange National Park as you watch elephants or a sunset dinner cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, you’ll be in awe of the menus produced when you are so remote.

Meat, including warthog and ostrich is a major part of the Zimbabwean diet so do flag up in advance if you have dietary requirements particularly when staying at lodges. Sadza, a maize based dumpling, is the national dish of Zimbabwe. If you are feeling adventurous and, for a boost of extra protein, then dried mopane worms can be added to stews.  For a sweet treat, try mapopo candy which is cooked papaya coated in sugar.

Many wines from neighbouring South Africa are available at restaurants and lodges. Whawha is a local beer made from maize, although most visitors prefer a Zambezi, the country’s national beer.

As a major tourist hub, Victoria Falls has a large craft market.  Whilst shops have fixed prices, the market stall holders enjoy a reasonable haggle. Carving is a traditional Zimbabwean craft and you will find many examples in stone and wood. When exploring the stalls, you will be overwhelmed by the choice of masks, abstract art, beaded belts and animal carvings on offer. However, if you are tempted to buy a six-foot painted wooden giraffe, just think about how you will get it home in one piece!

Visitors to Harare can explore its many galleries where there is a thriving contemporary art scene. Chapungu Village in Harare is one of the best places to find Shona sculpture. These sculptures often represent the artists relationship with their spiritual ancestors. If its hand-crafted silver jewellery you are interested in, then a visit to the studio by Patrick Mavros is a must. If you choose to buy semi-precious stones it is essential to have the correct supporting documentation.

Many festivals take place in the capital including Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA), a vibrant six-day event of literature, theatre, dance, fashion and visual arts, bringing together artists from all over Africa. Other regular festivals in Harare celebrate jazz, fashion and film.

The Vic Falls Carnival normally takes place at the end of April and is a three-day music festival attracting top singers, DJs and musicians from all over Africa. If your visit to Victoria Falls coincides with a full moon, you may be fortunate to witness lunar rainbows.

With most of the population Christian, Christmas and Easter are celebrated public holidays in Zimbabwe.