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Short answer: yes, Zimbabwe is safe to visit for most travellers, with sensible precautions. None of the US, UK or Australian governments advise against travel to any part of Zimbabwe. All three ask visitors to take more care than at home, mainly because of street crime in cities, the risk of protests, and poor roads at night. Most visitors spend their time in Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba, Mana Pools, Matobo and Great Zimbabwe. Those areas have well-run lodges and experienced guides, and Zimbabweans are welcoming hosts. The rest of this page explains what the advisories say, what that means on the ground, and the local rules that most often catch visitors out. Written by Bryan Fawcett.
Last reviewed: 21 October 2026 against the US State Department, UK FCDO and Australian Smartraveller pages. Advisories change. Check your own government’s page in the week before you travel.

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What the official travel advisories say

US State Department

Zimbabwe travel advisory

UK FCDO

Foreign travel advice: Zimbabwe

Australia Smartraveller

Zimbabwe travel advice

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Crime: what actually happens and where

Most crime against visitors is opportunistic theft. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon, but it does happen. Where to take extra care
  • Harare city centre and high-density suburbs, especially after dark.
  • “Smash and grab” at traffic lights, where thieves break a car window to grab bags or phones. All three advisories name the road from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Churchill Road and Liberation Legacy Way (formerly Borrowdale Road) in Harare. They also name the Masvingo–Beitbridge road.
  • Victoria Falls town, where pickpockets and scammers work the main streets.
How locals avoid it
  • Keep bags, phones and laptops out of sight in the car — on the floor or in the boot — with windows up and doors locked in town.
  • Don’t walk around cities after dark. Use a taxi or ride-hailing car booked through your hotel.
  • Carry only the cash you need for the day, and keep a second stash separately.
  • Be wary of dating-app meetups, “friendly” strangers offering to change money, and anyone asking you to pay a “fine” in cash without a receipt.
  • If someone tries to rob you, hand over your things. Phones and cash can be replaced.

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Protests and politics

Demonstrations are uncommon but can happen, especially around elections or fuel and price rises. Advisories warn that they can turn violent quickly.
  • Avoid gatherings and political rallies, and stay away from the Harare city centre if a protest is planned.
  • Don’t photograph protests, police or soldiers. Doing so is illegal and can lead to arrest.
  • Avoid political conversations with strangers, and don’t make public comments about the President, which is a criminal offence.
  • Follow local news and ask your lodge or operator. They will know before you do.
Tourism areas are rarely affected by unrest.

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Laws that catch visitors out

These are the rules most likely to get a visitor into trouble.
You need permission from the Ministry of Information to photograph airports, government buildings, military sites, police and the President’s official residences and offices. This includes the Munhumutapa Building in Harare, where the US advisory warns the offence can carry a jail term with no option of a fine. If in doubt, don’t take the photo. Also ask before photographing people.
Roads around State House and the President’s residence in Harare are closed from 6pm to 6am. Security forces enforce the closures, so don’t drive or walk them, and don’t follow GPS routing through them at night.
When a motorcade approaches, pull off the road and stop completely, even if you are on the opposite side of a dual carriageway. Wait until it has passed.
You need written permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) before you arrive. Without it, customs can confiscate your drone and fine you. Drones are not allowed in national parks without separate park permission.
Civilians may not wear camouflage or military-style clothing, including children’s clothing and bags.
Buying or exporting ivory, rhino horn, pangolin or other protected wildlife products is a serious crime, punishable by long prison sentences. Gemstones and gold need official paperwork to export.
Changing money outside banks and licensed bureaux de change is illegal. It is illegal to leave Zimbabwe with more than US$2,000 in cash. Large sums of US$10,000 or more must be declared when you arrive. See our money guide.
Some prescription medicines are restricted. The US advisory notes that oxycodone is banned even with a prescription. Carry medicines in original packaging with a copy of your prescription.
Sex between men is illegal in Zimbabwe, and same-sex marriage is not recognised. Prosecutions of visitors are rare, and Harare has a small, discreet LGBTQ+ scene, but public displays of affection are best avoided. Read our LGBTQ+ travel guide.

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Road safety and police roadblocks

Road accidents are a bigger risk to visitors than crime.
  • Drive on the left. Carry your home licence and an International Driving Permit (UK licences are accepted for up to 12 months).
  • Don’t drive at night. Unlit roads, potholes, broken-down trucks, cattle, wildlife and drunk drivers make night driving the single biggest risk for self-drivers.
  • Carry the required kit. Police can fine you if your car lacks a fire extinguisher, two warning triangles, a spare wheel, a jack and a wheel spanner. Hire cars should come with these — check before you leave the depot.
  • Police roadblocks are common on main roads. Slow down, stop when signalled, be polite and have your documents ready. If you are fined, ask for an official police receipt. A request for cash without a receipt is not a legitimate fine.
  • Fuel: fill up in towns and don’t let the tank run low before remote areas. Fuel is paid for in US dollars.
  • Kombis (minibus taxis) have a poor safety record, and some embassies ban their staff from using them. Use intercity coaches, private transfers or a driver instead.
  • Border crossings: at Beitbridge, ignore touts and only deal with officials in uniform inside the building. See our Beitbridge border guide.
Landmines: some old minefields remain along parts of the Mozambique border and in Lupane District in Matabeleland North. Stick to roads and marked paths in these areas. Main tourist areas are not affected.

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Safety on safari and in the water

  • Zimbabwe’s parks are unfenced. Animal attacks have injured and killed visitors, usually when people leave vehicles, walk at night in camps or approach animals.
  • Always follow your guide’s instructions. Zimbabwe’s professional guides are among the most rigorously trained in Africa.
  • Book walking and canoe safaris with licensed operators. You can check operators with the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
  • Don’t swim in rivers, dams or lakes unless your lodge says it is safe. Crocodiles, hippos and bilharzia are all real risks.
  • Avoid lion walks, elephant rides and cub-petting attractions. Read our responsible tourism guide and safari etiquette.

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Health risks in brief

  • Malaria: a risk everywhere except Harare and Bulawayo. It is highest in the low-lying safari areas and during the rains (November–April). Speak to a travel clinic at least eight weeks before you go.
  • Yellow fever: you need a certificate only if you are aged 9 months or over and arrive from a country with yellow fever risk, including airport transits of more than 12 hours there. See health and safety.
  • Water: don’t drink tap water. Lodges provide filtered or bottled water.
  • Outbreaks: cholera and typhoid outbreaks happen, mostly in poorer urban areas. Check the NaTHNaC or CDC pages before you travel.
  • Medical care: private clinics in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls are good for routine care, but expect to pay upfront. Serious cases are flown to South Africa. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential. See travel insurance.
Full detail is in our health and safety guide.

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Power, water and connectivity

  • Power cuts (load-shedding) are frequent, sometimes lasting many hours. Hotels and lodges usually have generators or solar power. Carry a power bank.
  • Water rationing affects parts of Harare and Bulawayo.
  • Mobile networks (Econet, NetOne) can be patchy outside towns. Buy a local SIM at the airport for data. See communication.

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Emergency numbers in Zimbabwe

Emergency numbers vary by network and are not always answered quickly. In practice, your lodge, tour operator or a private medical rescue service will usually reach you faster than the public services.
  • Private medical rescue: the main services are MARS (24 hours: +263 242 771 221, or 182 toll-free from Econet) and ACE Air & Ambulance (dial 464, or +263 782 999 901). Check which one your lodge or insurer uses, and save the number in your phone before you travel.
  • Breakdown: the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe (AA Zimbabwe) and Road Angels both run roadside rescue services.
For embassy contacts and more numbers, see our emergency contacts page and embassies and consulates.

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Advice for specific travellers

  • Women travelling alone: Zimbabwe is generally respectful. Unwanted attention is usually verbal. Dress modestly in rural areas and avoid walking alone after dark. See solo travel.
  • Families: many safari lodges set minimum ages for children, often 6 to 12, and for walking safaris. If one parent is travelling alone with a child, carry a notarised consent letter from the other parent. Carry unabridged birth certificates if transiting South Africa. See family travel.
  • Travellers with disabilities: facilities are improving in Victoria Falls and at top lodges, but are limited elsewhere. See the accessibility guide.
  • Journalists and content creators: Zimbabwe’s definition of journalism is broad. Filming for commercial purposes needs accreditation from the Zimbabwe Media Commission.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, for most travellers who take sensible precautions. The US and Australia rate Zimbabwe at level 2 of 4. The UK doesn’t advise against travel to any part of the country. Most risks are petty crime in cities, road accidents and wildlife.
Yes. Victoria Falls is a busy, well-policed tourist town. Watch out for pickpockets and money-change scams on the main streets, and avoid walking alone at night, partly because elephants and buffalo also walk through town.
Harare’s suburbs, restaurants and hotels are generally safe. Take care in the city centre, especially after dark, and keep valuables out of sight in the car because of smash-and-grab theft at traffic lights.
Main roads are drivable during the day. Avoid driving at night, carry the required safety kit, expect police roadblocks and always ask for a receipt if you are fined.
Yes. Make sure it covers medical evacuation to South Africa and any adventure activities you plan, such as rafting, bungee jumping or walking safaris.
Dial 112 from an Econet mobile or 114 from NetOne. From a landline, dial 995 for police, 994 for an ambulance or 999 for general emergencies. Your lodge or operator is often the fastest source of help.

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Sources

Visas and entry

Currency and money

Health and safety

Local customs

First-time visitors

Zimbabwe travel guide

Last modified on October 21, 2026