Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe shares Victoria Falls with Zambia but adds the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city of dry-stacked granite walls that gave the country its name and remains one of sub-Saharan Africa's most significant archaeological sites. Hwange National Park holds some of the continent's largest elephant herds, while Lake Kariba's houseboats offer a slower way to watch wildlife come down to drink. Political and economic turbulence has quieted tourism, but the landscapes remain intact.

Why go thereNature & landscapes Safari Wildlife Adventure sports Ancient ruins Culture & heritage Rural traditions Indigenous cultures Nightlife & music Road trips

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Sadza

Maize meal cooked stiff and eaten by hand with relish at nearly every meal.

Nyama

Beef or goat stewed with tomato and onion, the standard relish beside sadza.

Muriwo une dovi

Collard greens cooked in peanut butter until thick and glossy.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Sadza

Maize meal cooked stiff and eaten by hand with relish at nearly every meal.

Nyama

Beef or goat stewed with tomato and onion, the standard relish beside sadza.

Muriwo une dovi

Collard greens cooked in peanut butter until thick and glossy.

Madora

Mopane caterpillars dried and fried with onion, high in protein and iron.

Road runner

Free-range chicken cooked slowly because it ran too much to be tender.

Mazondo

Cow trotters boiled for hours until gelatinous, eaten with sadza.

Derere

Okra cooked until it strings, served as a relish with sadza.

Kapenta

Dried Lake Kariba sardines fried with tomato, eaten bones and all.

Bota

Thin maize porridge with peanut butter, the standard breakfast.

Chimodho

Dense maize-flour bread baked in a pot, eaten with tea.

Biltong

Air-dried spiced beef or game, cut into strips and carried on journeys.

Maheu

Fermented maize drink, thick and slightly sour, sold in cartons.

Practical info

Drives on the left

Entry & health

Set your passport

rbz.co.zw gov.zw en.wikipedia.org

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is discretionary but appreciated; in restaurants a tip of around 10-15% of the bill is standard, though some places add a service charge or have a shared tip jar, and it's common to tip hotel staff about USD$1-5 per service and guides/drivers separately for safaris.

Greet people formally and take time with handshakes/small talk before getting to business; rushing greetings can be seen as rude.
Dress modestly, especially outside tourist lodges and in rural or religious areas.
Always ask permission before photographing local people, especially in villages, and never photograph government buildings, military sites, or airports.
Use your right hand (or both hands) when giving or receiving items, including money and gifts, as a sign of respect.
Respect elders and traditional leaders; it's customary to show deference to older people in conversation and seating.
Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon, so keep these low-key.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Zimbabwe — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA