Tours in Zimbabwe

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best time of year to visit Zimbabwe?

   You can visit Zimbabwe any time of year but, generally speaking, you’re best off sticking to the dry season (May-September) as it’ll be easier to get around, wildlife-spotting is optimal and the weather is nice! We’d avoid the depths of rainy season, at its heaviest in January, simply for logistical reasons, but other months like November and March can offer a good alternative to the dry season. High waters will mean Victoria Falls is at its most spectacular, while birds and vegetation flourish at this time of year.

2. What’s the climate like in Zimbabwe?

   The climate in Zimbabwe is subtropical with two distinct seasons. Dry season runs from May to September, with warm daytime temperatures that can plummet during the night. During the rainy season (October-April) temperatures are high and there’s still a lot of sun alongside the rainfall. Average temperatures generally lie between 15-25C (59-77F), depending on if you’re in highlands or lowlands, but can rise above 30C (86F) and dip significantly at nighttime. 

3. What’s the currency in Zimbabwe?

   Zimbabwe Gold, which replaced the Zimbabwean dollar (or Zimdollar) in April 2024.

4. What language is spoken in Zimbabwe?

   Zimbabwe holds the Guinness World Record for most official languages at 16. They are:  Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa. Shona is the most widely spoken (around 70% of the population) while Ndebele comes in second (20%). English is the main lingua franca.

5. What is the time difference in Zimbabwe?

   The time zone in Zimbabwe is Central Africa Time (UTC+2), which is 2 hours ahead of London, 7 ahead of New York and 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

6. Major Airports in Zimbabwe:

   • Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE), Harare
   • Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)

7. What are the best places to visit in Zimbabwe?

   • Victoria Falls – the world’s largest waterfall. A truly jaw-dropping spectacle
   • Matobo National Park – see striking granite formations, ancient rock art and rhinos in this Unesco-listed park  
   • Hwange National Park – one of the best wildlife-spotting parks in Africa, home to swathes of elephants, plus giraffes, big cats and over 400 species of bird
   • Harare – the capital is a vibrant, modern city with great museums and art galleries
   • Great Zimbabwe National Monument – near Masvingo, the remarkable remnants of Bantu and Shona civilizations in the Middle Ages 

8. What are the top five local dishes to try in Zimbabwe?

   • Sadza – this staple is a maize meal porridge, usually served with meat, veg and spicy sauces
   • Dovi – the star of this slow-cooked, well-seasoned stew is peanut butter, usually made with chicken
   • Kapenta – tiny fish sourced from Lake Kariba and either eaten fresh or salted and dried
   • Nyama choma – delicious open-flame barbecued meat, usually beef, goat or lamb
   • Mopane worms –  for the intrepid eaters out there, these caterpillars are sourced from mopane trees and dried into a popular crispy snack

9. What was the old name for Zimbabwe?

   Zimbabwe was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia and Zimbabwe Rhodesia – all colonialist names deriving from British politician Cecil Rhodes. Zimbabwe is a name synonymous with the country’s fight for independence.

10. Is Zimbabwe expensive for tourists?

    No, Zimbabwe is not a costly country to visit, especially if you’re coming from a wealthy nation. The primary factor in cost will be the nature of the accommodation you choose. There are some very expensive luxurious safari lodges, but plenty of other options to suit any budget.