Key facts
Zimbabwe is a country located in Eastern Africa. There are 4 countries (Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia) that Zimbabwe shares its borders with. As for languages, the country’s residents speak English, Shona and North Ndebele.
The national currency in Zimbabwe is Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL). The dollar (Z$) is subdivided into 100 cent.
Zimbabwean
Banknotes
Z$1Z$5Z$10Z$20Z$50Z$100Z$500
Zimbabwean
Coins
1 cents5 cents10 cents25 cents50 centsZ$1Z$2
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Zimbabwe is 33.35 Mbps and mobile is 54.02 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density It may be difficult to locate an ATM in Zimbabwe.6.05 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Zimbabwe, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Zimbabwe. Type D is not very common around the world, so it might be a good idea to check if your electronics need an adapter.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2024, Zimbabwe will celebrate 13 national public holidays. The next one Worker’s Day will take place on May 1.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2024 | New Year’s DayNew Year’s Day | |
| February 21, 2024 | Robert Mugabe National Youth DayRobert Mugabe National Youth Day | |
| March 29, 2024Moving holiday | Good FridayGood Friday | |
| March 30, 2024Moving holiday | Easter SaturdayEaster Saturday | |
| April 1, 2024Moving holiday | Easter MondayEaster Monday | |
| April 18, 2024 | Independence DayIndependence Day | |
| May 1, 2024 | Worker’s DayWorker’s Day | |
| May 25, 2024 | Africa DayAfrica Day | |
| August 12, 2024Moving holiday | Heroes’ DayHeroes’ Day | |
| August 13, 2024Moving holiday | Defence Forces DayDefence Forces Day | |
| December 22, 2024 | Unity DayUnity Day | |
| December 25, 2024 | Christmas DayChristmas Day | |
| December 26, 2024 | St. Stephen’s DayBoxing Day |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Zimbabwe?
There are no Mariott hotels in Zimbabwe.
There are no Hilton hotels in Zimbabwe.
The IHG hotel chain operates in Zimbabwe.
There are no Best Western hotels in Zimbabwe.
There are no Radisson hotels in Zimbabwe.
There are no Accor hotels in Zimbabwe.
What fast food chains are present in Zimbabwe?
The McDonald’s chain does not operate in Zimbabwe.
The KFC chain does not operate in Zimbabwe.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Zimbabwe.
The Subway chain does not operate in Zimbabwe.
The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in Zimbabwe.
The Starbucks chain does not operate in Zimbabwe.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Harare?
Weather data for Harare (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Taxi Apps Unfortunately neither Uber nor Bolt are available in Zimbabwe.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Zimbabwe
Sources
- Zimbabwe Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Zimbabwe (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban No known rules against smoking, or no information is available.
Cananbis legality Recreational usage is prohibited, but medical use is legal.
Sources
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)