Information for backpacking in Zimbabwe. Whether you need information about the Zimbabwe entry visa, backpacker jobs in Zimbabwe, hostels, or things to do, it's all here.

Backpacking Zimbabwe

Looking for important travel information while backpacking in Zimbabwe? Here you will find information on working in Zimbabwe, entry visas, Zimbabwe hostels, and much more.

Table of Contents

Facts About Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s outstanding scenery and temperate climate can make it an excellent place to backpack. Facilities for backpackers are up and running, and the locals are always keen to see visitors. However, parts of the country have experienced violence and you are advised to be vigilant throughout your visit. You should check with the Foreign Office before you travel to see if they have any advice.

Currency – United States Dollar (USD)
Time – UTC +2
Language – English is the official language, but there is also Shona, Sindebele, Ndebele and numerous but minor tribal dialects
Telephone area code – 263

Climate in Zimbabwe

When planning the best time to visit Zimbabwe, the weather plays a big role. As Zimbabwe stretches over a high plateau it has a tropical climate that is varied by terrain and altitude, with a cool, dry season between May and October that feels similar to the Mediterranean. Although it never snows in the country, overnight frosts are common, as are freezing temperatures.

Winter is the best time to visit the country for wildlife watching, as at this time animals can be seen assembling around watering holes. The country remains largely dry apart from the humid months from November to April, when rainfall is confined to afternoon downpours and electrical storms. During this period temperatures can rise to 35C, which may be a hindrance, but you will find the rain will have little impact on your travelling.

Things to do in Zimbabwe

When deciding the best things to do in Zimbabwe, there is an abundance of options. Here are the top bucket-list items when backpacking Zimbabwe.

Victoria Falls

You cannot go to Zimbabwe without seeing Victoria Falls. The falls are situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, and the town of Victoria Falls is only a kilometre away (walking between the park and the town is possible but should be avoided at night).

The town has plenty of accommodations and places to eat, and there are a lot of activities to keep you amused around the waterfall. You can go white-water rafting, canoeing, jet-boating and kayaking in the falls and abseiling down the cliffs.

You might also enjoy a hike around the neighbouring Zambezi National Park, quad-biking on surrounding land, fishing, or even taking a helicopter, micro-light or ultra-light over the falls to enjoy the scenery from a breathtaking angle.

Kariba

In the North of the country lies Kariba, which is a small lakeside town that is mainly visited by people wanting to see some wildlife. Camping is available here or slightly more expensive self-catering chalets which may be a better option if there are a lot of you.

Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is one of the best medieval sub-Saharan African cities. It is filled with ruins providing a wealth of information about Zimbabwe’s history. The site is divided into several ruins; the Hill Complex, the Valley and the Great Enclosure.

Eastern Highlands

The eastern highlands of the country are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts: fishing, horseback safaris, and hiking in the Bvumva Mountains are all on offer.

If you venture into the Bvumba Mountains there is plenty of accommodation for all price ranges. The Ndundu Lodge on Bvumba Road is a beautiful thatched cottage that offers inside accommodation or the option of camping, both for a very reasonable price. The owners have also outlined walking trails for their residents to use, and have bikes for hire. There is a bar and restaurant so you will not need to venture far for refreshments if you stay here!

Harare

The capital Harare is relatively compact, so it is easy to walk around the city and see its sights. The Harare Gardens provide a sanctuary within the city if the temperature begins to get too much, and it is also home to an open-air tearoom and restaurant, as well as markets at the weekends.

However, the gardens are not safe after dark. In downtown Harare you can walk through the streets taking in all the colonial buildings. Most of the original buildings are concentrated on Robert Mugabe Road, with the Parliament Buildings being situated on Third Street. The Anglican Cathedral is on the corner of Second Street and Baker Avenue, and is Harare’s oldest church.

Unique Activities in Zimbabwe

Since popular places in Zimbabwe can get crowded during tourist season, it is wise to reserve tickets and activities ahead of time. GetYourGuide sells entrance tickets to museums and landmarks at face value so you can avoid the lines and save that precious time for more exploring.

Viator is another popular travel website that helps you book things to do in Zimbabwe. They work directly with local tour operators in Zimbabwe, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Zimbabwe

In order to find the best flights to Zimbabwe we recommend using a few well-known flight comparison search engines. These websites offer powerful search options, like entering flexible dates and airports in order to find the cheapest flight to Zimbabwe.

Our go-to flight search engine is Skyscanner, which we love for its extremely flexible search options. Our favourite way to get travel inspiration is their “Everywhere” feature. Simply enter “Everywhere” as a destination, and it will then list all available flights from your departure city in order of price. This also works when entering the entire country of Zimbabwe as your destination. Skyscanner will search all possible airports in the country in order to find the cheapest option.

Kiwi is another new favourite flight search engine among savvy travelers. Kiwi works by combining flights from different carriers in order to get the best deal. Also, if there is a better ground or ferry option for the route you’re searching, Kiwi will include that in the search results. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to Zimbabwe with them compared to the other websites out there.

All domestic and international flights fly into the airport 20km south of Harare. Many backpacker hostels provide shuttle buses from the airport as an incentive to make you stay there, otherwise, there is the Express Motorways bus service which connects to most flights and drops-off at various points in the city.

How to Travel Around Zimbabwe on a Budget

Train and long-distance bus are the standard modes of transport for how to travel in Zimbabwe on a budget. Buses are the more economical option, nevertheless, they are well-equipped. Train travel, on the other hand, is the fastest way between cities in Zimbabwe, and the train stations are conveniently located right in the center of town.

Bus Travel in Zimbabwe

Train and bus services are also available from neighbouring countries for a relatively small fee. Bus services include Express Motorways, Blue Arrow, Ajay’s Motorways, and DSB Coachline. Buses run between the major cities, but they are poor even by African standards. The best buses are the ones that run from Road Port in Harare to Lusaka, Lilongwe and to some other destinations. Minibus taxis also run within towns and cities, although the price of petrol means that these may be very expensive and are crammed full, so travellers now rarely use them.

Train Travel in Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls Train provides awesome views of the waterfall, although it also provides views of the wreckage from the 2006 train crash which sadly claimed many lives. The rest of the rail network connects Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Victoria Falls, but the trains are painfully slow and the tracks desperately need servicing. Night travel is available, and these trains all include sleeping compartments.

Renting a Car in Zimbabwe

You may also want the flexibility to stop in smaller towns between the major cities. If you decide you want to rent a car in Zimbabwe, you can use DiscoverCars to compare offers from the major car rental agencies in the region.

If you do hire a car try to avoid travelling after dark as unfortunately, drunk driving is a common problem. However, with recent petrol price inflation and shortages, you may find it impossible to drive in the country.

Backpacking Tours in Zimbabwe

Though part of the fun of backpacking Zimbabwe is exploring on your own, there are situations, especially when venturing off the tourist trail, when it does make sense to go with a guide or a small group. 

G Adventures is another great option for organized travel, but with a smaller group. It’s a great choice for anyone backpacking Zimbabwe alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travellers. It’s also a practical option for exploring places where you need an experienced guide, like a long hiking adventure or visiting a place well off the beaten path. You can choose from different styles of small group tours like active, wellness, hiking trips, 18-30somethings, and more. Their most popular trips in Zimbabwe are their 15-day Southern Africa Explorer tour through Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa, or their 8-day Botswana & Victoria Falls Adventure through Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana.

Health and Safety in Zimbabwe

Due to current economic problems medicines are in short supply, so make sure you bring a well-stocked first aid kit. Private doctors and hospitals are of a good standard, and thus, it is vital that you get travel insurance before you leave for Zimbabwe. Even for short trips, our go-to travel insurance provider is World Nomads, which is also recommended by Lonely Planet, HostelWorld, and other major travel companies.

HIV/AIDS is a common and persistent problem in Zimbabwe, therefore do not have unprotected sex, and if you form a relationship with someone it is recommended that both you and your partner get an HIV test.

Malaria is also prevalent so take necessary precaution against this before you travel and whilst you are there (e.g. using DEET mosquito repellent and using a mosquito net at night). Snakes are common in the country so never walk barefoot, shake your shoes out before you put them on, and if you do get bitten seek medical assistance immediately.

The Avenues Clinic (Cnr Mazowe Street & Balines Avenue, Tel: 251180 99) and the Trauma Centre (Lanark Road, Belgravia, Tel: 7000666/815) both in Harare are recommended by expats, and are better to visit than other medical centres and hospitals as they have a larger collection of drugs.

In western Zimbabwe, the Bulawayo Central Hospital (Tel: 72111) is the best-equipped and most accessible public hospital, but the Galen House Emergency Medical Clinic (Tel: 540051) is privately run and better than the hospital.

Entry visa requirements for Zimbabwe

UK nationals must have a passport that will remain valid for at least the duration of their visit (most airlines will request that they are valid for at least six months after your return date). A visa is also required, but this can be bought on arrival. Either a 90-day tourist visa or a 30-day business visa can be purchased from immigration for around $30-55. This is the same for nationals of most other countries.

Visa requirements for Zimbabwe can vary widely depending on your country of origin and can change over time. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to check the latest visa requirements while you’re still planning your trip.

Work permits and backpacker jobs in Zimbabwe

To work in Zimbabwe you need to obtain a work permit. These are usually given to people who are trained in fields that are otherwise lacking experienced personnel. It is relatively easy for UK nationals to receive one of these permits, and they can be applied for through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

OXFAM also do a lot of emergency work in Zimbabwe and you may find that this is a rewarding way to spend your time whilst in the country.

Zimbabwe Hostels and Budget Accommodation

There is backpacker accommodation in Zimbabwe, although these are usually confined to the major cities and do not actually see that many travellers. In the more rural areas, campgrounds can be found in abundance, and as Zimbabwe is blessed with a temperate climate this is often a cheaper and more pleasurable option.

We have had good experiences finding hostels in Zimbabwe on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.

Another good way to find accommodation in Zimbabwe is by checking booking.com. You’ll find hotels, homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodations. They have the most reviews and advanced filtering of any accommodation-booking site, so you’ll be sure to find a great place in your budget. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip to Zimbabwe.

If you are backpacking with another travel companion, we highly recommend booking a rental via VRBO. With a vacation rental in Zimbabwe, you’ll have more space, your own kitchen, and you’ll get a better feel for how the locals live. Plus, the cost of a vacation rental can be split among your group, oftentimes making it cheaper than doing individual hotel rooms. 

If you’re looking to save even more money while backpacking in Zimbabwe, there are plenty of creative ways to get free accommodation in exchange for work. For example, one of our favorite ways to stay in amazing locations for free is by signing up as a petsitter with Trusted Housesitters. The site connects responsible animal lovers with petsitting opportunities in Zimbabwe and all over the world. It’s a win-win for both sides – travellers can stay in amazing locations for free, and homeowners can rest easy knowing that someone is watching over their place.

And lastly, CouchSurfing is a great community that connects travellers with local hosts in Zimbabwe. You can stay for free with verified hosts, who will usually take some time to show you around the local spots.

Useful links for Backpacking in Zimbabwe

  • GAdventures – guided small group tours in Zimbabwe, great for solo travellers or for those interested in a more adventurous trip which would require a guide
  • DiscoverCars The world’s leading rental car search engine to rent a car in Zimbabwe 
  • Kiwi and Skyscanner – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to Zimbabwe and within the country
  • GetYourGuide and Viator a collection of local tours and activities in Zimbabwe. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
  • HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website to find accommodation while backpacking Zimbabwe. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
  • Booking.com – commonly used booking site for accommodation in Zimbabwe. Find hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodations in Zimbabwe with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance – Comprehensive travel insurance for long and short trips when backpacking Zimbabwe

There you have it, the ultimate Zimbabwe backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around Zimbabwe.

Next up:

Backpacking in Mozambique

Backpacking in Malawi

Backpacking in Madagascar

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A guide for backpacking around Zimbabwe. Get important travelers information when it comes to Zimbabwe including visa requirements, employment opportunities, common Shona/Ndebele phrases and translation, as well as Zimbabwe hostels.

 

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