Summary Update
Holiday and business visas are available at the port of entry. Don’t violate the terms of your visa. See Visas.
Although the economic outlook in Zimbabwe improved under the 2009 to 2013 Government of National Unity, the economic situation is increasingly fragile with smaller banks facing difficulty. See Political situation.
If you’re living in Zimbabwe, keep your security arrangements under close review, make sure your travel documents are up to date and readily available. Have a contingency plan in place in case you need to leave at short notice.
There is a low threat from terrorism. See Terrorism.
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
Safety and security
Crime
There is a moderate level of crime, including occasional armed robberies targeting foreign residents. Make sure your accommodation is secure at all times. Mugging, pick pocketing and jewellery theft are common in city centres, especially after dark. Be particularly careful at Harare airport, and when leaving banks and cash points. Don’t carry large amounts of cash. People travelling around alone may be more vulnerable to crime.Carry your Zimbabwean Resident ID or a photocopy of your passport. If you lose your passport, you will need to get a police report and contact the British Embassy in Harare for a replacement travel document.
There have been thefts and smash-and-grab robberies from vehicles, especially at main intersections along the route to Harare Airport and on the Masvingo-Beitbridge road. You should be particularly vigilant when using these routes. Keep vehicle doors locked and windows closed. Be particularly careful at night and at filling stations. Don’t leave your vehicle unattended in unguarded areas in towns.
Local travel
Zimbabwe has many safari lodges and game reserves. Safety standards vary, and you should check whether operators are trained and licensed. There have been a number of incidents in which animals have attacked visitors resulting in injuries and, in some cases, death. Some activities, such as walking or canoe safaris, could pose risks to personal safety. You should treat wild animals with caution and respect, and keep a safe distance from them at all times.Flash flooding during the rainy season (November to February) can make some roads impassable.
There are frequent power cuts that affect the whole country, sometimes for days at a time, as well as occasional fuel and water shortages. The Zimbabwean mobile phone network and land lines are unreliable.
Rural areas
Most of Zimbabwe’s commercial farms have been occupied or taken over by members of the National War Veterans’ Association and others. Farm invasions continue, often accompanied by violence and looting of property. Take care when visiting farming areas that you are not familiar with.The diamond mining area in Marange is a restricted area. If you are stopped and told that you may not access a particular area, you should turn back.
Road travel
You can drive in Zimbabwe using a full UK driving licence. If you are resident in Zimbabwe you should get a Zimbabwean license to minimise the potential for problems at road blocks.You must obey police signals, stop at roadblocks and toll-gates and produce identification if asked to do so. Travel carefully on inter-city roads, always wear seatbelts, lock car doors and carry a comprehensive medical kit. Think carefully before setting out on long distance journeys, and either carry extra fuel or top up your tank whenever possible. Seek up-to-date local advice about any places that you plan to visit.
Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. There are often deep potholes in the roads. Traffic lights are often out of action. Avoid driving outside the main towns at night, as vehicles are often poorly lit and roads badly marked. Abandoned unlit heavy goods vehicles, cyclists without lights, pedestrians and stray livestock are particular hazards. Emergency services may provide very limited help in the event of an accident and ambulances are often delayed. Be careful about stopping at lay-bys, particularly in the Beitbridge area, as there have been incidents of cars being robbed and occupants attacked.
It is an offence to continue driving when the President’s motorcade goes past, no matter which side of the road you are on. If you see the motorcade, pull off the road or onto the side of the road if this is not possible. There have been a number of incidents where people have been assaulted by the security forces for stopping in the wrong place or for not stopping soon enough.
Public transport
Public transport and services are unreliable. Buses are often overcrowded, inadequately maintained, uninsured and recklessly driven. You should avoid them if possible.Rail travel
The rail system is underdeveloped and very poorly maintained. Level crossings are poorly marked, resulting in numerous accidents.Air travel
In 2010 an audit of Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority by the International Civil Aviation Organisation found that the level of implementation of the critical elements of safety oversight in Zimbabwe was close to the global average. A list of recent incidents and accidents can be found on the website of the Aviation Safety network.We can’t offer advice on the safety of individual airlines. However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive and the absence of an airline from this list does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe.
Zimbabwe’s airports suffer electricity cuts. Harare International Airport relies on a generator during cuts. This has an impact on the airport’s ability to light the runway and provide air traffic control facilities. This can result in considerable delays, especially at night.
Political situation
You should avoid political activity, or activities which could be construed as such, including political discussions in public places, or criticism of the President. You should avoid all demonstrations and rallies. In the past the authorities have used force to suppress demonstrations. It is an offence to make derogatory or insulting comments about President Mugabe or to carry material considered to be offensive to the President’s office.European Union targeted measures remain in place against Zimbabwe’s President, the first lady and one organisation. This remains a highly charged political issue.
Travel Summary
- The situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning. You should avoid demonstrations and any areas where incidents of violence are taking place. See the Political Situation section of this Travel Advice.
- It is dangerous for farmers or agricultural workers to visit former properties or other agricultural areas. We advise against travel by journalists intending to carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation. See the Political Situation section of this Travel Advice.
- A new cholera outbreak was reported in October 2009, with three deaths. Typhoid was reported in Harare in March 2010. See the Health section of this Travel Advice.
- If you are resident in Zimbabwe, you should continue to review your security arrangements, ensure your travel documents are up to date and readily available and have a contingency plan in place in case you need to leave at short notice. See the Political Situation and the General (Living in, or travelling to, Zimbabwe) sections of this Travel Advice.
- 95 British nationals required consular assistance in Zimbabwe in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (18 cases); hospitalisations (10 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (23 cases) and lost or stolen passports (86 cases).
- There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Your policy should cover you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice.
Safety and security
TerrorismThere is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
There is a highl level of crime, including armed robberies targeting foreign residents. Several older British nationals have been attacked in their homes for small amounts of foreign currency. You should ensure that your place of accommodation is secure at all times. Mugging, pick pocketing and jewellery theft are also common in city centres, especially after dark. You should be particularly cautious when leaving banks and cash points and at Harare airport. You should avoid travelling alone.
You should carry your Zimbabwean Resident ID or photocopies of your passport, although banks will not accept photocopies for monetary transactions. If your passport is lost or stolen, you should immediately inform the police and the British Embassy in Harare. You should be aware that a passport renewal could take up to four weeks.
For advice specifically on rural areas please see below
Car-jackings
Armed car-jackings are a continual cause of concern in major towns. Thefts and smash-and-grab robberies from vehicles are common. We are aware of reports of a number of robberies on the Masvingo-Beitbridge road. You should be particularly vigilant when using these routes. Drivers should keep their vehicle doors locked and windows closed and be cautious when travelling, particularly at night and at filling stations. If possible, you should not leave vehicles unattended in unguarded areas in the towns.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political situation
Zimbabwe Country Profile
Despite the formation of a cross-party inclusive government, there continues to be a degree of political uncertainty, and there are pockets of violence. The situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning.
You are advised to monitor local media for developments and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held, or where there are large gatherings of people. If a demonstration or disturbance is taking place, you should leave the area as quickly as possible. You should not stay to watch or attempt to photograph it, even from a distance, or use a mobile phone. Throughout 2007-2009 the authorities have used force to suppress demonstrations and when carrying out other police duties. These policing methods mean these rallies can quickly develop into violent situations.
In 2008 there were numerous politically motivated attacks across Zimbabwe including abductions and the assault, torture and murder of opposition supporters, NGOs workers, lawyers and those perceived to be anti-government. The police cannot be relied upon to assist victims and have told some British Nationals that they will not respond to politically motivated crime.
You should avoid engaging in overtly partisan political activity, or in activities which could be construed as such, including political discussions in public places, or criticism of the President. It is an offence to make derogatory or insulting comments about President Mugabe or to carry material considered to be offensive to the President’s office. You should also be aware that an open hand is the political symbol of the MDC political party, and a friendly wave may therefore be misinterpreted. The carrying of books by banned authors, or the wearing of T-shirts with political slogans, can provoke a hostile reaction.
Local Travel
Zimbabwe has many safari lodges and game reserves. We are aware of a number of incidents in which animals have attacked visitors resulting in injuries and, in some cases, deaths. Animals in the game parks and reserves are wild. They should be treated with caution and respect, and not approached too closely.
Flash flooding during the rainy season (November to February) can make some roads impassable.
Rural Areas
Since 2000, most of Zimbabwe’s commercial farms have been occupied or taken over by members of the National War Veterans' Association and others. Since February 2009 there has been a sharp rise in the number of farm invasions and looting of property. Farmers, including British Nationals, have been seriously injured in violent attacks. Farmers or agricultural workers who used to operate in Zimbabwe are advised that it is dangerous to visit their former properties. A number of such visits in 2008 were misinterpreted and led to confrontation and violence. You should avoid areas where War Veterans are active or incidents of violence are taking place. There have been a number of incidents of arrest and violence, including reports of violent deaths in Marange and other diamond mining areas. You should take local advice on where these areas are. If you are stopped and told that you may not access a particular area, we advise you not to proceed.
Road Travel
You are permitted to drive in Zimbabwe on production of a full UK driving licence although British Nationals resident in Zimbabwe are advised to also obtain a Zimbabwean license to minimise the potential for problems at road blocks. You must obey police signals, stop at roadblocks and toll-gates and produce identification if asked to do so. You are advised to travel carefully on inter-city roads, always wear seatbelts, lock car doors, carry a comprehensive medical kit and avoid travelling after dark. If you are driving, you should think carefully before setting out on long distance journeys, and either carry extra fuel or keep your tank topped up as much as possible. We advise that you take up-to-date advice from local contacts about any places that you plan to visit.
Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. There are often large and deep potholes in the roads, which can be dangerous. Increasingly traffic lights are out of action and cause numerous accidents. You should avoid driving outside the main towns at night, as vehicles are often poorly lit and roads badly marked. Abandoned unlit heavy goods vehicles, cyclists without lights, pedestrians and stray livestock are particularly dangerous hazards. Emergency services can provide only limited help in the event of an accident and ambulances are often severely delayed by a lack of fuel. You should also be careful about stopping in lay-bys, particularly in the Beitbridge area, as there have been incidents of cars being robbed and occupants attacked (see the Crime section of this advice).
It is an offence to continue driving when the President's motorcade goes past, no matter which side of the road you are on. If you see the motorcade you should pull off the road or onto the side of the road if this is not possible. There have been a number of incidents where people have been assaulted by the security forces for stopping in the wrong place or for not stopping soon enough.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Public Transport
Public transport and services, including internal and external flights with Air Zimbabwe, are unreliable and may be cancelled or not run on schedule. Buses (mainly privately run minibuses) are overcrowded, inadequately maintained, frequently not insured, and the drivers often reckless. They are not recommended for travel. There have been incidents of assault on tourists hitch hiking and travelling in unlicensed buses.
Level crossings are poorly marked. Each year there are a number of fatal accidents. On 31 July 2008, at least nine people were killed when a freight train hit a bus at a rail crossing on the Mazowe-Centenary Road.
Rail Travel
The rail system is underdeveloped and very poorly maintained, resulting in numerous accidents. Rail travel is a dangerous option. There have been a number of fatal train crashes.
Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.
We are not able to make a formal assessment of all airlines in Zimbabwe. It is not known whether safety procedures on all aircraft used for internal and regional flights meet international standards. You should take this into consideration before using internal or regional flights. Air Zimbabwe route-share with some other African airlines and use airports in countries who have no direct commercial air service to the UK, and whom the UK Civil Aviation Authority has therefore not been in a position to check for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards. You should bear this in mind when making travel plans.
Like the rest of the country, Zimbabwe’s airports suffer from a lack of electricity. Harare International Airport is reliant on a generator during power cuts. This has an impact on the airport’s ability to light the runway and provide air traffic control facilities. It also results in considerable delays, especially at night, to disembarkation, immigration and luggage collection. You should take this into consideration when booking flights, which arrive or depart outside of daylight hours.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
You should always carry your identity documentation or copy of your passport.Photography of government offices, airports, military establishments, official residences and embassies, in addition to other sensitive facilities, is illegal without special permission from the Ministry of Information. Taking photographs of members of the security services (police and armed forces personnel) and of demonstrations and protests is not permitted. Laws are strictly enforced. Since the March 2008 elections a number of people have been arrested on suspicion of journalism for taking pictures of sensitive places. You should note that the area around State House in Harare (the President's official residence) is patrolled by armed members of the Presidential Guard. They do not allow loitering, by motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, and photography is strictly prohibited. Use of GPS navigation systems around the President’s Residence is not advised. If possible, you should avoid this area.
The simultaneous holding of Zimbabwean and a foreign passport is prohibited. The Zimbabwean authorities may prosecute people found to be in possession of both a Zimbabwean and a British passport. The British Embassy is not in a position to provide the full range of services to people with dual British and Zimbabwean nationality. For more general information see When Things Go Wrong.
There are laws against indecency, which effectively make homosexuality illegal in Zimbabwe.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences.
You should not carry any precious or semi-precious stones without the appropriate paperwork.
It is against the law for civilians to wear any form of clothing made from camouflage material.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.
Entry requirements
VisasYou will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe. This can be obtained from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London or on arrival in Zimbabwe. The current charge for a single entry visit visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is £35.00 or US$55.00, although this could change. If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, you should bring enough cash with you to pay for your visa on arrival. You should ensure you have small notes as immigration officers may not be able to provide change.
Visitors are currently being given entry permission for anything up to 90 days but you are advised to check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay, although you can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required. It is illegal to give a false statement in support of a visa or to work in Zimbabwe without the correct visa or work permit. A number of people found to be working without the correct permissions have been arrested and deported.
We recommend that before you travel you should first check current entry requirements with the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. Anyone intending to carry out journalistic activity needs to arrange prior accreditation through the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. We advise against travel by journalists intending to carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation as there is a risk of arrest, detention in difficult conditions, and a possible fine, plus a period of further detention or deportation. The Zimbabwean government has made clear that they will penalise any journalists found to be working in Zimbabwe without accreditation.
Passport validity
Your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages left in it to enable you to enter Zimbabwe and exit via one of the neighbouring countries, if leaving at short notice becomes necessary. Applications for passport renewals should be submitted at the British Embassy Harare at least a month before you intend to travel.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.
Health
The provision of basic services and health care is unreliable. There is a shortage of drugs and trained medical staff in hospitals, making it difficult for hospitals to treat certain illnesses including accidents and trauma cases. Standards of nursing care even in private hospitals vary. Private clinics will not treat patients until they pay and often require large amounts of cash before they will admit even emergency cases. Even if payment is available some of the best hospitals are often too full to admit patients. Medical costs, particularly for evacuation, can be high. The shortage of fuel also has reduced emergency response capabilities. If you are on medication, you are advised to bring sufficient supplies of your medication to cover the period of your stay. Pharmacies may not be able to provide you with the appropriate drug prescribed by your doctor.There are outbreaks of cholera occurring across Zimbabwe although these are being more readily controlled than the 2008-09 epidemic which killed thousands of people. In addition there are sporadic outbreaks of e-coli and other diarrhoeal diseases in Harare and other areas. You should familiarise yourself with precautions to take to avoid cholera, drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. The standard of water quality and piping is low and there are frequent and severe shortages of municipal water. Rigorous food and hygiene measures should be observed and you should take particular care with any foods bought at the roadside or in the markets. If you suffer from diarrhoea during or immediately following a visit to Zimbabwe you should seek immediate medical attention. Further guidance on cholera and cholera prevention can be found on the website of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre at: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/factsheets/cholera.htm.
Malaria is common to Zimbabwe, and is mostly found in low lying border areas including the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park in the low lying parts of the Eastern Highlands and the Vumba, around Mutare. In 2008, a combination of extraordinary rains, leading to pools of standing water, and a drop in localised spraying programmes, resulted in a steady number of malaria cases being recorded in some of these areas. This trend has continued into 2009.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,200,000 adults aged 15 or over in Zimbabwe were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 15.3% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Zimbabwe and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
InsuranceWe recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Your policy should include cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance and cover for any adventure sports you may participate in. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is When Things Go Wrong.
Living in, or travelling to, Zimbabwe
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If you live in or travel to Zimbabwe we advise you to:
- Register with the British Embassy in Harare. This can be done on-line at UK in Zimbabwe (click on 'services' at the top left and then 'on-line registration').
- Check this travel advice regularly and subscribe to automatic updates at subscribe.
- Ensure that your travel documents are readily available. Ensure that your passport and Zimbabwe immigration and residency permissions are up to date. Your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages left in it. Failure to do so could impede your exit.
- Ensure you have your own contingency plan for how you would leave at short notice and regularly review its viability in the light of changing circumstances.
- Ensure that you are content with your own and your family's security arrangements and keep yourself up to date with developments, and have sufficient supplies to sustain you and your family if you are unable to leave the house for several days.
The British Embassy is currently maintaining a full range of consular services. However, in the event of a significant deterioration in the security situation, the consular services we will be able to provide will be severely limited.
Economic effects
Economic decline has led to deterioration in the provision of basic services. There are frequent and prolonged power cuts that affect the whole country, sometimes for days at a time, as well as fuel and water shortages. The Zimbabwean mobile phone network is near collapse and land lines are unreliable. Some business people have been targeted for arrest for economic gain.
EU arms embargo
There is an EU arms embargo on Zimbabwe. It is an offence in UK law to take firearms into Zimbabwe at the current time, even if you intend to bring them back to the UK at the end of your visit.
Money
The Zimbabwean dollar has been suspended indefinitely. The most widely used currencies are the US dollar and the South African rand. It is inadvisable to carry large amounts of cash. However, credit and debit cards are not widely accepted. Although it is possible to withdraw cash from some ATMs it is not advisable to rely on this service being available throughout Zimbabwe. It is illegal to exchange foreign currency in Zimbabwe anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (e.g. banks), who may not have sufficient currency to accommodate your request. It is advisable to have small denomination notes, as change is rarely available.
