Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Zimbabwe

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Backpacker hostels, budget guesthouses, camping sites, and basic lodges with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Local street food, market vendors, sadza and relish at local eateries, self-catering with basic groceries

Transportation

$3-10 per day

Local buses (kombis), shared taxis, hitchhiking, walking for short distances

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free hiking trails, community cultural visits, basic museum entries, self-guided city walks

Eat at local markets and street vendors instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use kombis and local buses instead of private taxis (usually 70-90% savings on transport)

Book accommodation directly with properties to avoid booking platform fees (typically 10-20% savings)

Travel during low season for significantly reduced rates on lodging and activities (generally 30-50% cheaper)

Join group tours instead of private experiences (usually 40-60% cost reduction)

Buy groceries and prepare some meals yourself when possible (can reduce food costs by 50-70%)

Focus on free activities like hiking and cultural sites rather than paid attractions

Only eating at hotel restaurants and tourist areas instead of exploring local food options (typically costs 2-3x more)

Booking everything last-minute during peak season when prices are highest (can cost 50-100% more than advance booking)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of using local transport options (usually 3-5x more expensive than buses)

Not budgeting for park fees and activity costs which can add $30-100+ per day unexpectedly