Despite the fact that Zimbabwe seems British in many ways, the newly­independent country has developed its own distinctive character. It is an earthly paradise where the convenience of modern technology is combined with the vibrancy and warmth of the African experience. Lively markets, overcrowded, dilapidated buses and friendly, colourful people are around every corner in the bustling towns, and almost everyone will be able to speak some English ­ but it's not like Zimbabweans to let a little thing like a language barrier prevent communication and hospitality.

Zimbabwe is an ancient and mysterious land whose rock shelters bear traces of a nomadic civilisation dating back to 3000BCE. It is also home to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, one of the most impressive remnants of a powerful African civilisation, built in the early part of the 13th century.

Most visitors are overwhelmed by the unspoilt wilderness which dominates the country's landscape and the game parks, which do more than meet expectations of experiencing the beauty of wildlife silhouetted against an African sunset. Undoubtedly, Zimbabwe's biggest attraction, which even the most spectacular photographs can never capture, is the exhilaration of standing under the thunderous spray of the majestic Victoria Falls. 

Capital: Harare

Population: 11, 228,000

Area: 390, 311

Language: English, Chishona and Sindebele

Time: GMT +2

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz

Geography: The country is bordered by Botswana on the west, Zambia on the north, Mozambique on the east and to the south is South Africa. The Highveld landscape is filled with numerous huge granite outcroppings which add to the awesome nature of the scenery. The central area is hilly and it is here that several rivers have their beginnings.

Time

Tourist Offices

• Tourist Offices in Zimbabwe

• Tourist Offices Abroad

Visas & Passports

Visa requirements change from time to time so it is best to inquire directly to a Zimbabwean embassy in your home country or your embassy in Zimbabwe. To avoid the possibility of being refused entry in the country, ensure that you can produce an onward ticket, even if it is to a neighbouring country. The Immigration forms will ask for an address and full details of where you will be staying. To avoid further red tape fill in the name of a hotel, even if you are not going to be staying there, rather than 'camping' or 'don't know'.

The average maximum length of stay (90 days) can be extended to 6 months at any immigration office, but must be done one month at a time, and you must be able to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your extended stay. Harare is the best place in southern Africa to organise visas for other African countries, so be sure to carry plenty of passport photographs if you are planning on seeing more of the continent.

Certificates proving yellow fever vaccinations are required if you are entering Zimbabwe from the northern parts of Africa.

Customs

It is very rare that Immigration officials will want to see your money unless you cannot produce an onward ticket . Generally, when dealing with customs officials be polite and do not give them any reason to be suspicious of you.

Licensed vehicles can be imported temporarily as long as you have a current number plate and proof that it is registered and titled in your home country. If you are planning on travelling with a pet, or a guide dog, you will need to get a permit unless you reside in the Southern African customs union. Permits are issued by the Director of Veterinary Services, PO Box 8012 , Causeway, Harare. It will take a minimum of three months to obtain. You will also require vaccination certificates and proof that your pet is in a healthy condition from a government veterinary office.

Business Information

Useful Business Addresses:

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce
Equity House
Rezende St
Harare
PO Box 1292
Bulawayo

Chamber of Mines
PO Box 712
Harare

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries
PO Box 3794
Harare
PO Box 2317
Bulawayo

Tobacco Trade Association
PO Box ST 180
Southerton
Harare

Money

Unless you are planning on staying in first­class hotels, safari lodges or making use of other international­standard establishments, you will find Zimbabwe relatively inexpensive, even though the practice of charging foreigners higher prices than locals is common. Food is very reasonably priced and even those on a tight budget will eat well. Imported items that have been bought with foreign currency will obviously be more expensive than local items and consumer goods are affordable.

Public Holidays

Peak Seasons

Post & Telecommunications

The cheapest air freight option for shipping art and crafts is the Zimbabwean national cargo airline (Affretair). For bulk shipping it's best to contact TNT Express World Wide.

There are plenty of public telephones in the major cities, but few are in working order and those that are will always be accompanied by a long queue. You can dial direct to almost anywhere in the world. Local calls are very cheap and are reasonably efficient but overseas services are better. Phone cards and facilities are limited to tourist areas and a major centre like Harare. Phone cards, when they are available, can be bought at post offices and are sometimes sold by currency exchange establishments. Private telephones at hotels will often charge double or even triple the going rate. The international access code is 110, then 44 for the UK, 1 for the USA and Canada, 27 for South Africa and 61 for Australia.

Zimbabwe's country code is 263 and if you're calling from within the country drop the first 1 from the internal trunk code. To reach the operator dial 1. Dashes in a code means wait for one second dialling tone before the number. Facilities to send and receive faxes are available at post offices in larger towns only.

Electricity

Disabled Travellers

Budget Travel

History

By the 13th century people known as the Shona ('people of the setting sun') had grown in wealth and power which culminated in the construction of Great Zimbabwe, southwest of today's Masvingo. The influence of this politically sophisticated state stretched across most of modern Zimbabwe, including a small part of Mozambique, and the establishment of trading links with east African ports allowed the Shona to trade for goods from as far away as Indonesia and China. By the 15th century, however, the state had collapsed and the reasons remain shrouded in mystery.

The Mutapa, one of the dynasties that had broken away from Great Zimbabwe to develop on the periphery of the Shona state, emerged as the next great power and was subsequently conquered by the Portuguese who arrived in the 16th century.

The arrival of Vasco da Gama in 1502 marked the beginning of an influx of Portuguese traders, their heads filled with tales of King Solomon's mines and searching for the rumoured wealth of the natives. While the Mutapa were clashing with the Portuguese, the Torwa succeeded Great Zimbabwe and continued to build structures at Khami and Donangombe. The dynasty lasted from 1480 to 1684 until it was conquered by the central Shona, Rozvi Dynasty which preserved the state and culture. This resulted in the creation of the Torwi state.

By 1840 a new, militant dynasty, the Zulu emerged from the south led by Shaka. Shaka's rise to power saw the spread of the Zulu nation throughout southern Africa. Mzilikazi, who had broken away from Shaka, conquered the last of the Rozvi dynasty, but never succeeded in subjugating the Shona.

Tales from the dark continent made their way to England through people like missionary, Robert Moffat and Frederick Courtney, an ivory hunter. David Livingstone's 'discovery' of Victoria Falls and Adam Rende's description of the Great Zimbabwe ruins fuelled the curiousity of young people in search of adventure. The arrival of imperialist, Cecil John Rhodes secured Zimbabwe as a British colony and by 1895, outside of Africa, Zimbabwe became known as Rhodesia.

The first Chimurenga or 'war of liberation' led by two spirit mediums, Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguri in 1896 was crushed. The British settlers prospered despite uprisings and revolts and continued to rule for the next 85 years.

In 1957 the Southern Rhodesian African National Congress, led by Joshua Nkomo spearheaded the resistance struggle. By 1963, there was a split and the Zimbabwe Africa's People Union (ZAPU) under Robert Mugabe was formed. On the 11 November 1965, Ian Smith declared independence unilaterally, something which no British colony had done since the USA had declared its independence 200 years earlier. Finally, after 17 years of resistance the first free elections followed in February 1980 and ZAPU came to power under the leadership of Robert Mugabe.

Economy

The majority of the Zimbabwean population is dependent on agriculture, but because the majority are subsistence farmers and larger farms are bought by the government for resettlement, agriculture only accounts for a small part of the country's Gross National Product (GNP). The staple food crop is maize, with cotton, coffee, tea, sugar cane and grapes as the primary cash crops. Tobacco is Zimbabwe's largest export earner, and the country also supplies the European market with small quantities of fresh flowers, vegetables, and citrus fruits.

Mining makes up 40% of Zimbabwean exports which includes coal, iron­ore, copper, asbestos, chrome, nickel and tin, with gold being the major earner .

Zimbabwe relies mainly on South Africa for port facilities.

Textiles dominate the manufacturing industry, and next to South Africa, Zimbabwe offers the largest range of products in sub­Saharan Africa. Developing industries include forestry and tourism.

Population

Government

The Senate consists of 40 senators, 4 of which are appointed by the president and 36 chosen by electoral college. It is the legal committee which has the authority to inquire about legislative activities. The House of Assembly is made up of 100 representatives or Members of Parliament (MP's) elected by a constituency of the district, represented on 5­year­term.

The Judicial branch has power both in civil and criminal matters, and the Chief Justice is appointed by the president. Local government consists of eight state­appointed governors for each of the eight provinces.

Robert Mugabe's ZANU­PF (Zimbabwe African National Union 73173; Patriotic Front) party has been in control of the government since its independence, and political change, vital to a new democracy, has been limited because the presidency is not limited to a fixed number of terms. A small, persistent opposition exists which is supported by a variety of opposition newspapers.

Language

Visitors will have no problem in communicating with the locals, despite the fact that 67% of the population speak mainly Shona in the central and eastern part of the country. Ndebele, the second most spoken language is found mostly in Matabeleland in the western and southwestern parts of the country.

Chilapalapa is a mixture of Ndebele, Shona, English and Afrikaans, and should be avoided because it was commonly used by employers to communicate in a derogatory way with their employees. Zimbabweans would prefer to be spoken to in English. ChiHarare or 'Town Shona' is a streetwise mixture of dialect, English and jargon.

Religion

The Mwari cult, which can be dated back to the 1300s, was probably brought into Zimbabwe by migrating Bantu herders. The significance of Mwari, the supreme deity, was so profound that it was appropriated by Christian missionaries to be the Christian God. In Shona, the Christian god is still known as Mwari. Little is known as to what extent the Mwari cult is practiced, but it is important for visitors to realise that shrines remain officially off­limits to outsiders.

Small Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities exist, and are concentrated in urban areas.

The San used a mixture of crushed iron­ore with clays, plant matter and animal fat or ostrich egg yolk which was delicately painted onto the rock surface with fine brushes and provides a glimpse into the lifestyle and spiritual life of these hunter­gatherers.

Today Zimbabwe is overflowing with talented artists who make a viable living from their art, but it is the country's stone sculptures which have gained international recognition. These sculptures are based on African folklore and are characterised by mythological figures and stylised animals, gods and spirits. The National Gallery in Harare houses a major collection of African art and galleries, and Chapungu sculpture park, also in Harare is well worth a visit. Community art centres where you can watch artists at work are prevalent throughout the country.

There are a number of museums which trace the history of Zimbabwe from its pre­colonial period right through to its independence. The National Archives in Harare carries a particularly impressive collection of historic books and documents dating back to the 16th century. It also houses an exciting exhibition of the history of the liberation struggle. Heroes Acre in Harare is a shrine to the liberation struggle where heroes are buried and is often a highlight for visitors to Zimbabwe.

The Museum of Natural History in Bulawayo is the largest in the southern Hemisphere and covers topics ranging from wildlife to botany, including ethnography, geology and history. It is also the site of the second­largest mounted elephant in the world. The ruins of Great Zimbabwe, 2km from Masvingo, are arguably the country's greatest attraction next to the Victoria Falls. Thousands of visitors flock annually to see the inspiring remnants of Shona architecture which dates back to the 13th century.

Food & Drink

Biltong is another speciality. It is strips of sun­dried, salted meat. Seafood is usually a second­rate affair because Zimbabwe is a landlocked country, although in the Eastern Highlands you will be able to enjoy excellent trout, and at lake Kariba, bream. Game meat is available, but only at expensive hotels.

There are a wide variety of restaurants which offer international cuisine, especially in Harare, as well as an abundance of familiar fast­food outlets. Dress restrictions for bars and restaurants vary.

Most spirits and lagers are available, and apart from a locally produced beer, Zimbabwe also produces its own wine. Zimbabwe's red wines are not highly rated, its white wines are a better option. A wide variety of wines are imported from Australia, South Africa and Europe. For a true taste of Zimbabwe you might be brave enough to try Chibuku (township beer) which is brewed from yeast, millet, sorghum, maize meal, and any other ingredients which happen to be available!

Entertainment

Zimbabwe's oral tradition continues to live on through music and theatrical performances based on folk tales . Details of productions are available through affiliates of the Association of Community Theatres and the University Theatre Group based in Harare.

For movie lovers, Zimbabwe's major towns are not short of cinemas, but shows are dominated by American action movies, usually a little out of date.

Sport

There are many exciting fishing parks and resorts along Lake Kariba and the Zambezi river, as well as the streams of the Eastern Highlands. Many of Zimbabwe's national parks have small artificial lakes for which you can get permission to fish. For the more adventurous traveller, whitewater rafting on the rapids below the Victoria Falls or three days of canoeing down the wild Zambezi is a must.

If there is anywhere you are going to bungi jump, then the jump off the Victoria Falls bridge, the highest in the world, is the place to do it. One of Zimbabwe's major attractions is game viewing and what better way to experience the country's national parks than when you are free from the confines of a vehicle on a hiking or horse­riding safari. The mountainous region of the Eastern Highland will prove a challenge to the most avid mountain climber, with rock climbs of ranging levels of difficulty scattered throughout the country. The highest peak, Nyangani stands at 2592m at the northern end of the range.

Shopping

A wide variety of crafts ranging from crochet to woven baskets and pottery are all available at markets as well as curio shops, which are generally more expensive.

If you are a stone collector, then you will be intrigued by the interesting stone specimens polished into egg­shaped chunks as 'meditation pieces.' Semi­precious and precious stones carved or set into jewellery are also available. However, if you would like to go home with something really unusual, you might want to bring home a Zimbabwean speciality ­ a toilet seat made of mukwa wood which is available from hardware shops.

Shows & Festivals

Shows and Festivals on Zimbabwe's calendar

• 18 April is Independence Day which is celebrated throughout the country with a variety of cultural events.
• Late April/early May sees Zimbabwe's International Trade Fair held in Bulawayo which draws at least 1,000 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors from around the world.
• 25 and 26 May are Africa Days which commemorate independence struggles of the past.
• Late July/early August sees Zimbabwe's International Book Fair which is held annually in Harare.
• 11 and 12 August are Heroes' Day and Defence Forces' Day and honours Zimbabwe's military forces and national heroes in the independence struggle.
• The end of August sees Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Show held at the showgrounds in Harare.
• December sees National Tree Planting Day.

Other Annual Festivals:

• Houses of Stone Music Festival, held in Harare is a celebration of traditional music and its date varies from year to year.
• National Theatre Festival
• Borrowdale Arts and Crafts Fair

Parks & Reserves

The Victoria Falls/Zambezi National Park is located in western Zimbabwe and includes 40km of the mighty Zambezi, as well as a substantial area of forest and savanna rich in wildlife. The extension known as the Victoria Falls National Park is where one can experience the power of Zimbabwe's biggest attraction.

Hwange National Park

Hwange is the largest and most accessible national park in the western part of the country and is particularly favoured by visitors attracted to the abundance of wildlife.

Matobo National Park

The hills and balancing rocks of Matobo form an unusual landscape. It is also the ancestral spiritual home of the Rozvi spirit mediums. The park begins 32km (20 miles) from Bulawayo and is the best place in the world to see white as well as black rhinos.

Gonarezhou

Gonarezhou is situated in the Midlands and southeastern part of the country and used to support some of the largest elephants in Africa until the population was destroyed by poachers. After many years of being closed to foreigners, Gonarezhou, 'abode of elephants,' has recently been reopened.

Nyanga National Park

Nyanga National Park is located in the most mountainous region of Zimbabwe, the Eastern Highlands, it is a paradise, especially for hikers. Nyanga is famous for its breathtaking scenery and picturesque waterfalls and streams. It is also the home of the country's highest mountain, Mt Nyangani.

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools world heritage site it situated on the Zambezi, and is particularly popular for canoe trips as well as walking safaris. It is also the only wildlife park where one can roam freely without a guide.

Matusadona National Park

Matusadona National Park is well­known for its elephants and large buffalo herds, and lies between the Ume river and the Sanyati Gorge on the southern shore of Lake Kariba. It offers a unique experience ­ sailing safaris.

Chizarira National Park

Chizarira, the wildest of all Zimbabwe's national parks in the western part of the country is a haven for visitors who wish to experience relatively undisrupted wildlife habitat in plenty of solitude.

Kazuma Pan

Kazuma Pan is home to Zimbabwe's only Gemsbok and is situated in the westernmost end of Zimbabwe. It is rarely visited despite the fact that it is host to migratory concentrations of elephant and buffalo moving between northwestern Botswana and Kazuma.

Mtarazi Falls

Mtarazi Falls is located at the southernmost tip of the Nyanga national park, this park is centred around the dramatic beauty of Zimbabwe's highest waterfall which drops over a cliff falling 762m (2,500 feet).

Chimanimani National Park

Chimanimani National Park in the Eastern Highlands contains the best bush walking and hiking Zimbabwe has to offer.

Climate

Hotter and more humid conditions are experienced in the Lowveld and Zambezi regions, but in winter there is very little rain. Most of the country's rain falls in the summer months from November to April, when afternoon thunderstorms bring relief from the humidity. Although the temperatures are rarely over 30°C in summer, the dry winter months are the most comfortable for travelling, but you miss out on the lush, green landscape characteristic of hot, wet summers. Winter is also the best time for wildlife viewing because animals tend to concentrate around pans, whereas in summer, when water is abundant, the game is spread over a wider area.

Geography

The Mvurwi Range, characterised by bushveld, kopjes (rocky outcrops) and dwalas (dome­shaped rocks), is made up mostly of a plateau which drops to the Zambezi plain in the northeast and into the valleys surrounding Lake Kariba in the northwest. The Eastern Highlands form Zimbabwe's most mountainous region with a range stretching from the Nyanga region in the north to the Chimanimani Mountains in the south. The dry, lowveld of southern Zimbabwe consists mostly of the flat savanna of the Save Basin gently sloping towards the Limpopo river.

Health

Vaccination for yellow fever is only an entry requirement if you are coming from an infected area. A number of vaccinations are recommended however, even though they are not legally required. It is advisable to seek medical advice at least six weeks before you are due to travel.

Medical services in Zimbabwe are generally quite good and medical equipment is sterilised. Despite of the risk of contracting Aids, there is little chance of infection, because all blood is carefully screened. In major towns you'll have no trouble seeking adequate medical attention. Both Harare and Bulawayo have excellent general hospitals. Doctors are listed at the front of each town's telephone directories and hospitals under Health. One should note however, that bush clinics tend to operate on a limited budget, and in an emergency situation, the proper equipment may not be available. It's always a good idea to carry sterile syringes when travelling in Africa, especially if you're planning to travel into less developed areas. For potentially serious problems it is generally best to arrange to return home, or go to Johannesburg in South Africa.

Pharmacies can easily be found in all major towns. Ensure that you have a doctor's prescription because Zimbabwe, unlike other countries in Africa, maintains a strict policy towards selling medicine only on prescription. Visitors who prefer homeopathic alternatives will be pleased to know that Zimbabwe has an excellent natural pharmacopoeia.

In the advent of any kind of emergency dial 99 (soon to be changed to 999) and say whether it is a medical, fire or police emergency. The Medical Air Rescue Service (Tel: 734513) is available if an accident happens while you are on safari and insurance against evacuation costs can be bought directly from them. It's also a good idea to check if your safari operator subscribes to this service and always advise them of any present medical problems such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Malaria tablets are a must when travelling in Zimbabwe, consult your pharmacist about the latest prophylactics available, as certain strains of malaria are becoming immune to chloroquine.

Make use of insect repellent and mosquito nets to avoid being bitten and reduce the chances of getting malaria. Avoid swimming in rivers and dams, except in Nyanga, because of the risk of the water­borne disease, bilharzia. Water from any tap in the cities and in visitor areas can be drunk, although most accommodation facilities provide pre­boiled drinking water. HIV is a major threat in Zimbabwe and can be avoided by personal lifestyle. The only other health hazards to lookout for are encounters with a host of 'creepy crawlies' ranging from hornets to pepper ticks. Bites and stings can all be treated with relative ease, but will be uncomfortable. Remember to take precautions against the hot African sun.

Safety

Zimbabwe is still unfairly associated with political upheaval. But “Zim” boasts the spectacular Victoria Falls, some of Africa’s finest wildlife reserves with black and white rhinos, markets and the painted caves of Matobo National Park.
Capital: Harare

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Victoria Falls: incredible waterfalls, highest bungee jump in the world and rafting down the Zambezi.
• Hwange National Park.
• Great Zimbabwe Ruins: is sub-Saharan Africa’s greatest archaeological site.
• Nyanga National Park.
• Lake Kariba: good fishing, boating, camping.
• Matobo National Park: near Bulawayo, famous for white rhino and hundreds of caves and rock paintings.
• Bulawayo Museum of National History.
• Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre outside Bulawayo.
• Vumba: forests and botanical gardens, good for a days walking.

100 cents to one Zimbabwean dollar. Credit cards are accepted by companies catering for tourists. Travellers cheques are easily exchanged at Zimbabwean banks, also at hotel reception desks (but usually guests only and with a higher commission).

EXCHANGE RATE:

£1 = 12.45 Zim dollars

FOOD SPECIALITIES:

The dietary staple is sadza — a white maize porridge often mixed with meat (nyama). Zimbabwe is one of the world’s greatest producers of beef, available everywhere.

LANGUAGE:

English is the official language but is only a first language for about 2% of the population, the rest speaking various Bantu languages.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES:

Bulawayo: Bulawayo Sun Hotel. “Z” International in the Show Grounds.
Harare: Mushandira Pamwe Hotel in Nyandoro Rd, Highfields. Queens Hotel, corner of Robert Mugabe Rd and Kaguvi St. Playboy Night Club, Union Ave.

CULTURAL EVENTS:

• Independence Day: April 18 Nationwide celebrations.
• Africa Day: May 25/26. Commemorates independence struggles all over the continent.
• Zimbabwe International Book Fair: Usually a great event, slightly marred this year by President Mugabe’s banning of all homosexual literature. Held late July, early August, in Harare.
• Houses of Stone Music Festival: Annual celebration of traditional
• Zimbabwean music in Harare. Date changes from year to year.