Zimbabwe Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Zimbabwe.
Public hospitals lack drugs and kit. Private clinics in Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls give adequate primary care. Avenues Clinic (Harare) and Mater Dei ( Bulawayo ) run 24-hour casualty units and air-ambulance links to Johannesburg.
Tourists normally use private hospitals. Bring proof of insurance or a cash deposit before admission.
Private pharmacies stock common antibiotics and malaria prophylaxis. But always carry your own prescription plus a doctor's letter.
Complete travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential. Immigration does not require proof but hospitals will ask for payment up-front.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded markets and on commuter minibuses.
ATMs often run dry. Many outlets only accept U.S. dollars in cash.
Potholes, unlit donkey carts, and occasional roadblocks after dark increase accident risk.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
civilians posing as cops demand on-the-spot fines.
locals befriend visitors, then claim a cash crisis.
unofficial money-changers hand over counterfeit or old notes.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • carry a certified passport copy and keep originals in the hotel safe. Loss means a police report and a new visa.
- • Bring more small-denomination USD than you expect to need. Change is rarely available.
- • fill up whenever you see fuel. Rural garages run dry for days.
- • Watch for cattle and warthogs on highways after 17:00; drive at 80 km/h or less.
- • stay at least 25 m from elephants and 50 m from big cats. Engine off, keep exit clear.
- • Never stand in a vehicle or canoe to photograph. Guides will end the activity if you do.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Solo women are common on organized tours. Harassment is usually verbal and can be ignored.
- → Sit in the front seat of registered taxis or ride-shares and share trip details with your hotel.
- → Avoid walking alone in city centres after 21:00; ask hotels to call a taxi rather than hailing one.
Same-sex relations are legal for women. Male homosexual acts are illegal but the law is rarely enforced. Urban centres are discreetly tolerant. Public displays of affection by any couple draw attention.
- → Book twin beds if unsure. Most lodges assume friendship rather than relationship.
- → Avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics loudly in rural beer halls or taxi queues.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Medical evacuation to South Africa costs more than USD 25,000; without cover you pay up-front.
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