Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa bordering South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana. Most famous for the Victoria Falls, the local people refer to the falls as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” which means “The Smoke that Thunders!” This is of course due to the marvelous vision of rising mist that can be seen from some distance away when the river is at its highest. The name was originally coined by explorer and missionary, David Livingston.

Zimbabwe enjoys rich wildlife and natural beauty. From the Matopo Hills and their huge boulders, to the ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins going back to Africa’s great ancestry, to a number of national parks and wildlife reserves offering fantastic landscape views.

Total Area: 390,757 km², 150,871 sq mi

Capital: Harare

Country Code: +263

Country Population: 13,061,239

Credit Cards: Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas but usage is limited outside city centers. Visa and Master Card are popular cards.

Currency: USD$

Departure Tax: A tax of $20USD for each individual international departure and $5USD for domestic is levied.

Drives on the: Left

Electricity: 220 – 240 V (Indian configuration)

Ethnic Groups: 71% Shona, 16% Ndebele, 11% other African, 1% White, 1% Mixed and Asian, 10.5% others

Location: Zimbabwe is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Mozambique to the northeast, South Africa to the south and Botswana to the southwest. The central zone of hills gives rise to many rivers, which drain into the man-made Lake Kariba to the northwest, the marshes of Botswana to the west or into the Zambezi River to the northeast.

Official Language(s):English (South African), Shona, Sindebele

Religion: Christian, Mwari and indigenous with some Muslim and Hindu.

Time Zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)

Tipping:  Tips of 10% are usually expected by taxi drivers and at hotels. Service charge is often included in a bill, but when not, a 10% tip is acceptable.