Traveling Luck for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, Africa

Crime

Mugging and pick pocketing is common in Harare and other city centres, especially after dark.  You should be particularly cautious when leaving banks and cash points.  Visitors to Victoria Falls, national parks and other tourist centres should be wary as tourists, particularly backpackers, are the principal targets for casual thieves.  Wherever possible, you should travel with a recognised tour group or operator and should always avoid travelling alone.  You should avoid visiting the high density (low-income) urban areas where crime is on the increase and incidents of unrest or protests can occur.

Armed car-jacking has become a cause of concern in the major towns in recent years. Thefts from vehicles are common.  Drivers should keep their vehicle doors locked and windows closed, and be cautious when travelling particularly at night and at filling stations.  There are regular reports of incidents of robberies and car jackings of vehicles using the Harare Airport road.  You should be extra vigilant when using this route.  If possible, you should not leave vehicles unattended in isolated scenic spots or in unguarded areas in the towns.  If an attack takes place, do not resist.  Hand over keys and anything else demanded.

The incidences of opportunistic theft, especially of handbags etc, is high and passports are at particular risk.  You should take care with baggage in public places, and at reception desks when checking in/out of hotels.  Particular care should be taken at Harare International Airport where there has been an increase in such thefts.  You should carry photocopies of your passport, although banks will not accept photocopies for monetary transactions.  If your passport is lost or stolen, you should immediately inform the police and the British Embassy in Harare.

Zimbabwe Country Profile.

There has been both political and social unrest in Zimbabwe for several years.  This has affected urban and rural areas, but the principal tourist areas have been largely unaffected.  Political violence has resulted in serious injury and deaths to participants are sometimes caught up in the events.

In 2005, the authorities carried out a brutal "clean up" campaign throughout Zimbabwe, particularly in urban areas.  This resulted in the destruction of the homes and small businesses of hundreds of thousands of people and some displacement to the rural areas.  This caused an increase in tension in urban areas.  The current situation is unpredictable, volatile and could deteriorate quickly, without warning.  Several civil society organisations regularly organise demonstrations against current economic and social conditions and against government policies.  There have also been an increasing number of student demonstrations over the last few months.  Any of these can quite quickly develop into nasty situations if the authorities choose to suppress them with force.  The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition party has also threatened a programme of mass demonstrations and civil disobedience.

You should avoid engaging in overtly partisan political activity, or in activities which could be construed as such, including political discussions in public places or criticism of the President.  You should also be aware that an open hand is the political symbol of the main opposition political party, the Movement for Democratic Change, and a friendly wave may therefore be misinterpreted as a provocative gesture.  The carrying of the main independent newspapers (the Financial Gazette, the Independent, the Standard or the Zimbabwean) and books by banned authors or the wearing of T-shirts with slogans of the main political activist organisation can provoke a hostile reaction from ZANU (PF) supporters.

In the event of increased political tension, you should keep a low profile, exercise caution, stay away from areas where demonstrations may be held, and avoid unnecessary travel to high density suburbs.  If a demonstration or disturbance is taking place, you should leave the area as quickly as possible.  You should not stay to watch or attempt to photograph it, even from a distance, or use a mobile phone.

You should exercise extreme caution when travelling.  Because of current uncertainty in the security situation, we strongly advise against independent travel (particularly backpacking), and recommend that you travel with organised tour operators to well established tourist destinations.  We strongly advise that you take up-to-date advice from local contacts about any places that you plan to visit.

Business visitors who are travelling under the auspices of well established Zimbabwe organisations and companies are unlikely to encounter difficulties.

In view of a number of incidents affecting hunting parties, we advise you against hunting trips at this time. (See restrictions on import of weapons below).

There is currently a severe shortage of fuel throughout Zimbabwe, even in major cities.  Public transport and services, including internal and external flights with Air Zimbabwe, may be cancelled or not run on schedule.  If you are driving, you should think carefully before setting out on long distance journeys and keep your tank topped up as much as possible.

Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury.  Roads are generally in good condition, although potholes can be dangerous in major cities and towns, but you should avoid driving outside the main towns at night as vehicles are often poorly lit and roads badly marked.  Abandoned unlit trailers and heavy goods vehicles are particularly dangerous hazards.  Cyclists without lights, pedestrians and stray livestock are additional dangers.  Emergency services can provide only limited help in the event of an accident.  If you are travelling by car outside Harare, you are advised to carry a comprehensive medical kit.

Police road-blocks are common.  You must obey police signals, stop at roadblocks and produce identification if asked to do so.  It is an offence to continue driving when the President's motorcade goes past, no matter which side of the road you are on.

You are permitted to drive in Zimbabwe on production of a full UK driving licence.

Buses (mainly privately run minibuses) are overcrowded, inadequately maintained, frequently not insured, and the drivers often reckless.  They are not recommended for tourist travel.  There have been incidents of assault on tourists hitch hiking and travelling in unlicensed buses.

The rail system is underdeveloped and poorly maintained, resulting in numerous accidents.  Rail travel is not recommended.  There have been a number of fatal train crashes. On 28 August 2006, a goods train and a passenger train collided near Victoria Falls killing 7 passengers and on 9 September 2006, a train derailed after hitting a herd of buffalo killing the co-driver and injuring a passenger.

Air Safety

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.  Prospective domestic air travellers should be aware that there are continuing reports by some Zimbabwean media organisations, which express concern about the safety of aircraft used for internal flights.

Photography of government offices, airports, military establishments, official residences and embassies, in addition to other sensitive facilities, is illegal without special permission from the Ministry of Information.  Taking photographs of members of the security services (police  & armed forces personnel) and of demonstrations and protests is not permitted. Laws are strictly enforced.  You should note that the area around State House in Harare (the President's official residence) is patrolled by armed members of the Presidential Guard.  They do not allow loitering, by motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, and photography is strictly prohibited.  If possible, you should avoid this area.

It is an offence to hold Zimbabwean and a second nationality.  The Zimbabwean authorities may prosecute people found to be in possession of both a Zimbabwean and a British passport.  The British Embassy is not in a position to provide the full range of services to people with dual British and Zimbabwean nationality.  See What We Can Do To Help.

There are laws against indecency, which effectively make homosexuality illegal in Zimbabwe.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences.

It is an offence to make derogatory or insulting comments about President Mugabe.

It is against the law for civilians to wear any form of clothing made from camouflage material.

You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe.  This can be obtained from the Zimbabwean representation in the UK or on arrival in Zimbabwe.  The current charge for a single entry visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is £35.00 or 55 US Dollars, although this could change.  If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, you should bring enough cash with you to pay for your visa on arrival.

Visitors are currently being given entry permission for anything up to 90 days.  You are strongly advised to check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay, although you can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required.  We recommend that before you travel you should first check current entry requirements with the Zimbabwean Embassy.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Zimbabwean representation in the UK.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  This should include cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance.

Private clinics will not treat patients unless they can pay.  Medical costs, particularly for evacuation, can be high.  There is a shortage of drugs in public hospitals.  If you are on medication, you are advised to bring sufficient supplies of your medication to cover the period of your stay.

Although not present in Harare and through much of the Highveld (central districts), malaria is prevalent in most other parts of the country, particularly in low lying border areas including the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park in the low lying parts of the Eastern Highlands and the Vumba, around Mutare.

More than three quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets.  However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and you should seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu like illness in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country.  Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Zimbabwe.

There has been an outbreak of cholera in Harare.  Another outbreak in south-east Zimbabwe which was first reported in December 2005, has resulted in several deaths in the districts of Chikomba, Chivhu and Buhera. Routine food and hygiene measures should be observed whilst traveling in all parts of Zimbabwe (medical practitioners can advise).  You should take particular care with any foods bought at the roadside or in the markets, drink or use only boiled/bottled water, and avoid ice-cubes.  Anyone suffering diarrhoea during a visit to affected areas in Zimbabwe should consult a doctor immediately.

Zimbabwe has one of the world's highest HIV/AIDS infection rates with approximately 20% of the adult population infected.

In January 2007, there have been reports of anthrax in Masvingo province.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help

Hard currency is difficult to come by locally.  You need hard currency to pay for hotel charges and entry to Victoria Falls and many other national parks: park entry fees vary from up to 15 pounds sterling or 25 US dollars per person.  It is advisable to have small denomination notes, as change is sometimes unavailable.  All airlines, with the exception of Air Zimbabwe, now include a departure tax in the price of their tickets.

The Government of Zimbabwe has recently devalued the Zimbabwean dollar and deducted three zeros from the currency.  1,000,000 old Zimbabwean dollars (issued as bearer cheques) are now worth 1,000 new Zimbabwean dollars (bearer cheques).  As from 21 August 2006, only the new bearer cheques are valid.  There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency a foreign tourist can take out of the country although you may be asked to declare how much foreign currency you have in your possession.  You are only allowed to take limited amounts of local currency out of the country.  Current limits are Zim $5,000 cash or bearer cheques.  Amounts in excess of this must be handed in at the airport/border.  It is illegal to exchange foreign currency in Zimbabwe anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (e.g.  banks).  If you are using credit cards, you are advised to check the rate of exchange before completing any transaction.

There are frequent power cuts and water shortages.

There is an EU arms embargo on Zimbabwe.  It is an offence in UK law to take firearms into Zimbabwe at the current time, even if you intend to bring them back to the UK at the end of your visit.

Long term visitors and residents should register on arrival with the British Embassy in Harare.