Zimbabwe travel guide with useful information and all the things you need to know to organize a trip or vacation in this state of southern Africa.
Zimbabwe in a nutshell
- Capital: Harare
- Area in sq km: 390,757
- Population: 13,300,000 (2010)
- Religion: 25% Christians, 24% traditional religions, 50% Christianity fused with traditional religions, 1% Muslims
Where is it
Zimbabwe, until 1980 called Rhodesia, is a state of southern Africa, bordered by Zambia to the north, Mozambique to the north and east, South Africa to the south, and Botswana to the west. It has no outlets on the sea. The territory is made up of a series of plateaus that slope down towards the Zambezi valleys to the north and Limpopo to the south, whose average altitude is around 1000-1500 meters above sea level. The highest elevations are aligned with the south-west north-east, and near the eastern border they reach 2597 meters above sea level with Mount Nyangani. To the north towards the Zambesi valley and to the south towards the Limpopo valley, the altitude is less than 700 meters above sea level. The territory is largely covered from savannahs, the few tropical forests are located in the eastern part of the country. In the center of Zimbabwe, for about 500 km from north to south, the Great Dyke extends, a group of ancient volcanic rocks very rich in mineral deposits.
Hydrography
The main waterways of Zimbabwe are the Zambezi River, which marks the border with Zambia, and the Limpopo River which flows to the border with South Africa. Along its course, the Zambezi forms the spectacular Victoria Falls, and the large Kariba artificial lake. The Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent an important tourist attraction for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are part of two national parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe.
Climate
Zimbabwe has a tropical climate. The seasons are determined by the rain regime and are divided into four periods: rainy season, post-rainy season, cool season and hot season. The rainy season runs from November to March, followed by a period that lasts until mid-May in which the weather becomes increasingly sunny, with dry and cool winds (maximum temperatures between 23 ° and 31 ° C). From mid-May to mid-August the season is cool and dry. The daytime temperatures range from 20 ° / 29 ° C and the minimum sometimes between 4 ° / 12 ° C. The driest region and the southwestern part of the country. Between mid-August and September the days begin to lengthen and the temperatures rise again. Typically the highest temperatures are reached between late October and early November, with highs between 26 ° and 35 ° C. Heavy thunderstorms often occur in this period.
Population
The majority of the population is made up of the Bantu Shona ethnic group, followed by the Ndebele ethnic group, other African ethnic groups, mixed and Asian, and whites, mostly of Anglo-Saxon origin.
Time zone
In Zimbabwe, the time difference is one hour ahead of Italy. The time is the same when daylight saving time applies in Italy.
Spoken language
The official language is English, but the languages of the two major ethnic groups, CiShona and IsiNdebele, are more widely spoken.
Economy
Until many 80s, Zimbabwe had a developed economic structure, based on the exploitation of mining and plantation agriculture, sectors controlled by the white minority or by multinational companies, compared to many other African states. The country was the richest in central Africa, but despite having a lot of potential, from the mid-90s it entered a phase of recession caused by the political regime and by various problems, which brought the country's economy to the bottom. The level of poverty has increased, the health system has collapsed, and the shortage of food, money, fuel, consumer goods and medicines has provoked a serious humanitarian emergency.
When to go
The best time to visit Zimbabwe is from May to mid-October.
Necessary documents
To enter Zimabwe you need a passport, with a residual validity of at least six months upon entry into the country, and an entry visa, which is issued upon arrival in the country.
Phone
- The international code to call from Italy to Zimbabwe is: 00263
- The international code to call from Zimbabwe to Italy is: 0039
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Electricity
The electric current is 220 V 50 Hz. Sockets type D (3-pole old British) and G (3-pole British). It is advisable to have a plug adapter.
Currency
The Zimbabwean dollar has been suspended indefinitely by the government, and is no longer printed and coined by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Due to the high superinflation since April 12, 2009, the euro, the US dollar, the South African Rand, the Botswana Pula and the British Pound are used as currencies in the country.
How to get
Harare International Airport is located 15 kilometers south of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, and is the country's main airport. From Italy to Zimbabwe
flights are operated by airlines, Emirates, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM. From various European airports with South African Airways there are flights via Johannesburg to Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo. From London the airline British Airways flies via Johannesburg to Harare and Victoria Falls. The greatest flight connections to Zimbabwe are from Johannesburg airport in South Africa.
Vaccination
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Zimbabwe. The yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only from travelers over the age of one year from areas at risk of transmission of this disease. After medical consultation, vaccines against Typhus, Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Meningitis are recommended.
As regards antimalarial prophylaxis, it should be borne in mind that the risk of Malaria exists from November to June, below 1,200 meters, while in the Zambezi valley, the risk is present all year round, while it is negligible in Harare and in Bulawayo.
It is also advisable to follow some hygienic measures, drink only bottled water without adding ice, eat only cooked meats and vegetables, fruit only if peeled personally. Before departure, it is recommended to take out health insurance that covers medical costs and a possible repatriation.
