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Aerial view of Victoria Falls with lush greenery

Zimbabwe travel guide

Landlocked Southern Africa, from Harare to Victoria Falls, best visited from May to August

Best: May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Photo: Jürgen_Bierlein / Pixabay

Capital
Harare
Languages
Khoisan languages, Barwe, English
Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Plugs
Type G · 220 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
999

Why visit Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe suits an overland trip that links the cities of Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo with the smaller towns of Hwange and Victoria Falls. The best months to go are May, June, July and August. The currency is the US dollar, English is one of many languages spoken, and cars drive on the left. One honest limit: there is no coast, so skip it if you want a beach. At 390,757 km², the country is large, so expect long travel days between stops.

  • A clear best season

    The best months to visit Zimbabwe are May, June, July and August. Plan your trip inside this window if you can. Outside these months, check the weather for your route before you book.

  • US dollars as local currency

    Zimbabwe uses the United States dollar (USD). If you already carry dollars, you don't need to change money on arrival. This makes it simpler to budget and compare prices.

  • English is widely listed

    English is one of the main languages, alongside Shona and Northern Ndebele. Many other languages are spoken too, including Tonga, Venda and Zimbabwean Sign Language. Most visitors can get by in English.

  • Big cities and small towns

    Harare, the capital, has about 2150000 people. Bulawayo has about 665940. By contrast, the towns of Hwange and Victoria Falls have about 42581 and 33060 people, so you can mix city time with quieter places.

  • Room for a road trip

    Zimbabwe covers 390757 km², with Masvingo, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls spread across it. Cars drive on the left. Pack a type G plug adapter for 220 V power.

Is Zimbabwe right for you?

Great for

  • Dry-season trips from May to August, when monthly rain is just 6 to 15 mm
  • Travellers who dislike heat: June and July highs are about 22°C
  • Sun seekers, with 9 to 11 hours of sunshine in every month
  • English speakers, since English is one of the country's languages
  • Travellers used to driving on the left and paying in US dollars

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidays: none of the main cities listed is on a coast
  • Trips in December to February, with up to 179 mm of rain and 18 rain days
  • Heat-sensitive travellers in October and November, when highs reach about 31°C
  • Light packers in June and July, when nights drop to about 8–9°C

Zimbabwe right now: September

7.8/10
Avg high
29°C
Avg low
14°C
Rain days
3

Averages for Zimbabwe.

Weather by month

This data covers Zimbabwe as a whole, and May to August is best, with only 2 to 4 rain days a month, highs of 22 to 26°C and 9 to 10 hours of sun, though July nights fall to 8°C. Avoid December and January, when 158 to 179 mm of rain falls on 16 to 18 days a month.

Average highs and lows in Zimbabwe by month January: high 27°C, low 18°C , 18 rain days . February: high 28°C, low 18°C , 15 rain days . March: high 27°C, low 17°C , 12 rain days . April: high 25°C, low 14°C , 7 rain days . May: high 24°C, low 11°C , 2 rain days . June: high 22°C, low 9°C , 4 rain days . July: high 22°C, low 8°C , 3 rain days . August: high 26°C, low 11°C , 2 rain days . September: high 29°C, low 14°C , 3 rain days . October: high 31°C, low 16°C , 5 rain days . November: high 31°C, low 18°C , 10 rain days . December: high 30°C, low 19°C , 16 rain days . 27°C 18°C JAN 18d 28°C 18°C FEB 15d 27°C 17°C MAR 12d 25°C 14°C APR 7d 24°C 11°C MAY 2d 22°C 9°C JUN 4d 22°C 8°C JUL 3d 26°C 11°C AUG 2d 29°C 14°C SEP 3d 31°C 16°C OCT 5d 31°C 18°C NOV 10d 30°C 19°C DEC 16d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Zimbabwe (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Zimbabwe: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Harare to Victoria Falls in one week

  1. Day 1–2

    Harare

    Start in the capital, a city of about 2,150,000 people. Get USD cash, a local SIM and a type G plug adapter before you head west.

  2. Day 3–4

    Bulawayo

    Spend 2 days in Bulawayo, a city of about 665,940. It is smaller than Harare, so it suits slower days on foot. Plan the next legs from here.

  3. Day 5

    Hwange

    Stop 1 night in Hwange, a town of about 42,581. It breaks up the long trip west. If you drive yourself, remember that Zimbabwe drives on the left.

  4. Day 6–7

    Victoria Falls

    End in Victoria Falls, the smallest stop with about 33,060 people. Keep both days free and book activities locally once you arrive.

10 days

Harare, Masvingo, Bulawayo and the far west

  1. Day 1–2

    Harare

    Begin in Harare, the capital and largest city with about 2,150,000 people. Sort out USD cash, a SIM card and a type G plug adapter here.

  2. Day 3–4

    Masvingo

    Head south to Masvingo for 2 days. It adds a southern stop and breaks the route into shorter legs between Harare and Bulawayo.

  3. Day 5–6

    Bulawayo

    Spend 2 days in Bulawayo, a city of about 665,940. Use it to rest and to plan the western part of the trip.

  4. Day 7–8

    Hwange

    Give Hwange, a town of about 42,581, 2 days rather than 1. Traffic drives on the left, so take care if you have a hire car.

  5. Day 9–10

    Victoria Falls

    Finish in Victoria Falls, a town of about 33,060 people. Leave the last 2 days open and book activities locally when you arrive.

Food to try in Zimbabwe

Sadza

A thick, smooth porridge made from white maize meal. It is the staple food of Zimbabwe, eaten most days at lunch and dinner. People roll it by hand and use it to scoop up stews and greens.

Nyama (meat stew)

Beef, goat or chicken cooked slowly in a tomato and onion sauce. It is the usual partner for sadza at home and in small local eating places.

Muriwo une dovi

Leafy greens such as covo or pumpkin leaves, cooked with onion and tomato and finished with peanut butter. It is a common home-style side dish served with sadza.

Kapenta

Small dried freshwater fish from Lake Kariba. They are fried with onion and tomato and eaten with sadza. They are a cheap, everyday protein, sold dried at markets across the country.

Madora (mopane worms)

The caterpillars of the emperor moth, which feeds on mopane trees. They are dried, then fried or stewed. They are a traditional snack or side dish, especially in the south and west.

Maheu

A thick, slightly sour, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented maize meal or sorghum. It is drunk as a filling snack, and you will find it homemade or in cartons at shops.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Zimbabwe uses type G plugs, the three rectangular pins also used in the UK. The supply is 220 V. Bring an adapter, and check that your chargers accept 220 V before you plug in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left. If you come from a right-hand-driving country, take extra care at junctions and when you pull out after a stop.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number is 999. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you do not have to look it up.
  • Currency: The currency listed for Zimbabwe is the United States dollar (USD). Check the latest payment situation before you travel, as rules and practice can change.
  • Language: English is widely used, so it is a practical language for travellers. Shona and Northern Ndebele are also spoken, alongside many other languages such as Tonga, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language.
  • Time zone: Zimbabwe is on UTC+02:00 all year. Keep this in mind when you plan calls home or book onward connections.
  • Calling code: The international calling code is +263. Use it when you save local numbers, such as your accommodation, in your phone.

Zimbabwe: frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?

May to August is the best time to visit Zimbabwe. These are the driest months. August scores 9.6 out of 10 and May 9.5, with only 6 mm and 8 mm of rain. Days are mild, with highs of 21.7 to 25.8 °C. April and September are also rated best, but score lower at 8.5 and 7.8.

Is Zimbabwe good to visit in January?

January is still rated good, at 6.3 out of 10, but it is the wettest month. It gets 179 mm of rain on about 18 rain days. December (158 mm) and February (145 mm) are also wet. If you want dry weather, choose May to August instead. December scores only 5.1 and is rated ok.

How cold does Zimbabwe get in June and July?

Days are pleasant in June and July, but nights are cool. Highs are about 22 °C. Average lows are 9 °C in June and 8.4 °C in July, the coldest in the year. Rain is rare, with 15 mm in June and 10 mm in July. Pack a warm layer for early mornings and evenings.

Is Zimbabwe too hot in October?

October is the hottest month, but it is still dry. The average high is 30.6 °C, and November is almost as hot at 30.5 °C. October gets only 22 mm of rain and scores 6.8, rated good. In November, rain rises to 67 mm on about 10 rain days, and the score falls to 5.7.

What currency, plugs and emergency number does Zimbabwe use?

Zimbabwe uses the United States dollar (USD). Plugs are type G, and the voltage is 220 V. The emergency number is 999, and the country calling code is +263. Traffic drives on the left. The time zone is UTC+02:00. English is one of the country's many languages, along with Shona and Northern Ndebele.

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