Coronavirus has been detected in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has introduced a national lockdown on April 20. The national borders are closed to passenger traffic. Ethiopian Airlines flies four weekly flights from Harare. For information about the virus, see the section Health.
Safety
Most trips to Zimbabwe take place without unpleasant incidents. However, the political situation in Zimbabwe has been tense following the July 2018 elections, with several cases of violent clashes between security forces and protesters. Particularly severe riots occurred in January 2019 when several protesters were killed in clashes with security forces. There is still a risk that politically motivated violence may flare up in most places in the country, and the security situation may change at short notice. It is important to keep informed of developments through local contacts, as well as local and international news media at all times, and avoid areas of unrest. Please note that in January 2019, authorities closed access to the Internet and social media across Zimbabwe. This can happen again.
The Public Order and Security Act places restrictions on freedom of assembly. The police are authorized to arrest persons who hold meetings and demonstrations for which there is no authorization.
Zimbabwe’s economic situation is also very difficult and, after the introduction of new currency (Zimbabwe dollar), has deteriorated significantly. Inflation and inflation are very high. The supply of goods, electricity and fuel varies greatly. Norwegian visitors should do thorough preliminary investigations before entering. In several areas, it will be necessary to bring enough US dollars to meet all needs during the visit. It is also important to note that the critical fuel shortage can affect travel plans.
Crime is a minor problem than in other countries in southern Africa, but burglary, robbery and pickpocketing occur more often than in Norway. Due to the critical economic situation, there is also a clear upturn in all forms of profit crime. So take a cab when it’s dark. Don’t move outside with valuables, but lock this in the hotel safe. Never carry valuables, handbags or luggage visible in the car/taxi. Drive a car with locked doors. Avoid night driving outside major cities.
Corruption is a major problem, and as a foreigner, one can often be asked for unregulated payment by police, airport personnel and others. In such situations, travelers are advised to remain calm and cooperate if the situation is perceived as unsafe or threatening.
Exceeding the validity of the visa can have consequences in the form of fines, imprisonment, deportation and entry bans. Check the visa label carefully, and if there is any doubt about information codes, ask the issuing authority before traveling. Tourist visas do not entitle you to work.
Practical safety rules for travelers to and in Zimbabwe:
- Contact the host/hotel/guesthouse before departure for updated information on the security situation, and follow the news.
- Avoid political demonstrations and larger assemblies. Avoid visits to densely populated neighborhoods as well as village areas outside the known tourist destinations.
- Avoid all driving after dark outside cities and be aware that there may be a shortage of gasoline and diesel.
- Always have enough US dollars, and be aware that access to both currency and goods is unpredictable.
- Pay close attention to avoid winning crimes. Keep a low profile in conflict situations.
- Always carry personal identification or a copy of your passport. Be cooperative if you are stopped by police or military forces.
- Visiting journalists are particularly advised to contact the embassy prior to entering for updated information on the security situation.
- If you are driving a car, you must stop for all emergency vehicles and police cars with sirens/blue lights. Drive to the side and stop. Do not photograph or hint at those driving in any short circuit. There are also photography bans at parliament and some government buildings.
- We recommend seeking the advice of a local contact person if possible. The embassy recommends visiting Norwegians who plan longer stays to contact the embassy before or on arrival. As always, it is important to emphasize the importance of taking out travel insurance.
- It is recommended that you drink only filtered/purified water. Good hand hygiene is important.
If advice or consular assistance is needed, the Norwegian Embassy in South Africa can be contacted at emb.pretoria@mfa.no or +27 12 364 3700.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Visas to Zimbabwe can be purchased upon entry for a fee. All travelers to Zimbabwe are advised to check the visa label carefully so that there is no doubt about the validity of the visa. Breaking the rules can have very serious consequences.
Travelers are advised to contact the nearest Zimbabwean Embassy (Stockholm) before departure to obtain updated information on current visa and entry regulations.
For the Nordic region, the contact address is:
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Box 3252
S-103 65 Stockholm
Visiting address:
Herserudvägen 5 A
181 34 Lidingö
Tel: +46 8 765 53 80
Fax: +46 8 21 91 32
Embassy’s website.
Norwegian emergency passport is accepted as travel document upon entry into Zimbabwe.
Persons with refugee travel documents or stay on humanitarian grounds, green or blue travel document, must apply for a visa at the Zimbabwean Embassy before departure.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus. Feel free to follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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Zimbabwe is a risk area for malaria and it is recommended to use malaria prophylaxis if traveling outside Harare. For the rest, one should consult a physician for guidance regarding. vaccines before departure. Cholera outbreaks occur from time to time, most recently in September 2018. Water can be drunk after thorough boiling and filtration. Since there is also contamination of groundwater and boreholes in several places, it is recommended to buy drinking water. Food from eateries with steady turnover will normally be safe, but caution should be exercised.
The standard of public hospitals is very low. There are some private clinics / small hospitals with somewhat higher standards. Consult a hotel or tour operator for advice in this regard. If you become seriously ill, you will usually be flown out for treatment in South Africa. You are also advised to check the Directorate of Health’s website before traveling to Zimbabwe.
For visits to Zimbabwe, it is very important to take out good travel insurance. Travel insurance should cover expenses related to injuries, accidents, sickness and home transport/transport. If you are going to do special activities during your stay abroad, such as extreme sports, you should investigate whether it is necessary to take out additional insurance.
If you are affected by illness or accident during a temporary stay abroad, you should contact the insurance company (alarm center) or tour operator. You may also need advice or consular assistance from the Norwegian Embassy in South Africa, which also covers Zimbabwe. It can be contacted at emb.pretoria@mfa.no or +27 12 364 3700.
Practical information
Zimbabwe has subtropical climate. The year can be divided into three seasons: the cold season, which lasts from May to August with July being the coldest month, the warm season from September to November and the rainy season which normally lasts from December to March/April. During the cold season, daytime temperatures are around an average Norwegian summer day, with some cool evenings. Parts of Zimbabwe are 1000 meters above sea level. Here the temperature can drop to zero degrees at night during the cold season. According to allcitycodes, Zimbabwe area code is +263.
Natural disasters in Zimbabwe are primarily associated with drought. The rainy season can cause local danger of flooding as well as frequent and heavy lightning strikes.
When traveling to Zimbabwe you are encouraged to register at reiseregistrering.no. The information you register will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the Personal Data Act and will not be disclosed. Data related to a trip to Zimbabwe will be automatically deleted 30 days after the date you stated to be out of the country.
Valid currency is Zimbabwe dollar. Several hotels, restaurants and shops are allowed to accept US dollars. Some places accept South African rand. However, the country has an ongoing, crisis-like shortage of currency, and it is recommended to bring sufficient US dollars, including small notes. It is possible to use credit cards for many transactions in the larger cities, but the banking and payment systems are vulnerable, and it is important to always have enough dollars in hand to settle in case the system fails.
Norwegian mobile phones can normally be used. Power outages and water shortages occur frequently, even in hotels. Bring a flashlight. Zimbabwe uses sockets of English type, so remember adapter.
Note that car hire can be both difficult and expensive, and public transport is unreliable and often unsafe. Think carefully about how to get from A to Z throughout your stay in Zimbabwe.