Zimbabwe

Our Zimbabwe collection

• classic tours
• rail tours

South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique

African Rail Adventure

• 11-nights all-inclusive on Rovos Rail
• Visit 4 countries in Southern Africa
• Numerous safaris in search of the Big Five

Save up to £200 per person

Jan 2026 - Nov 2027

17 days

Prices from £8,445 Per person

Find out more

Frequently asked questions

• Is there a time difference?

  GMT +2hrs

• What is the currency?

  Zimbabwe Gold which cannot be obtained before entering Zimbabwe. US dollars are generally accepted. South African Rand will be accepted whilst on Rovos Rail. No matter which country you are travelling to please take note of the following general advice;

  • ATMs are generally available in major cities, less so in rural areas.

  • Credit cards are generally widely accepted in the majority of hotels, cruises, larger international restaurants and shops, although be aware credit card payments may incur an additional fee.

  • If purchasing small items or purchasing from local shops, restaurants and markets, local currency is always recommended.

  • Outside of major cities, with the exception of hotels, local currency is always recommended.

  • If you are planning to use your debit or credit card whilst travelling, advise your bank of your travel plans in advance so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash or make a payment.

  • When you change money, ask for some small bills and keep these, along with coins separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible. Carrying small notes and coins separately is also handy for tipping.

  • It is always worth carrying a small amount of UK Sterling or US Dollars as these can always be readily exchanged.

  • Keep your exchange receipts as these may be needed if you want to exchange any remaining currency you have at the end of your trip.

  Currency Cards

  In addition to using Travel Credit cards and Debit cards, a currency card is also a popular way of buying currency for your holiday. You can preload these before leaving the UK and many also offer advantageous exchange rates. If travelling to multiple countries, different currencies can be loaded and used for card payments or ATM cash withdrawals. We recommend the Revolut card, which offers 150 currencies and enjoys favourable exchange rates, making it a perfect card to use for any card payments, such as hotels and restaurants. You can withdraw cash from ATMs whilst abroad, but there is a limit of £200 per month, before paying a 2% fee. For further benefits on using currency cards and more information on Revolut please visit distantjourneys.co.uk/revolut-currency-card

• What will the weather be like?

  Generally, all our tours travel when it is considered the best time to travel, however it is important to note that climates may vary between different regions so the weather may vary throughout your tour. As weather patterns around the world are becoming less predictable the information we provide should be used as a guide only and is no guarantee of the weather at the time you travel. We also recommend checking up-to-date weather forecasts before you travel.

  September to November marks the end of the dry season and the weather is generally hot and humid. The falls are at their lowest level, which gives excellent visibility from the Zimbabwe side. Rains in late October and November transform the terrain into a lush, green oasis. In January to March the height of the summer and rainy season can produce dramatic thunderstorms in the afternoons. The falls are in full flow, although some views can be limited due to the mist produced by the falls.

• What clothing should I take to Zimbabwe?

  Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sun screen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.

  Rovos Rail

  If travelling on Rovos Rail, evening attire is more formal – for gentlemen, a jacket and tie is a minimum requirement, while for ladies a cocktail / evening dress or suit is suggested. On our multi-day rail tours there will be occasional themed evenings where guests can dress up accordingly or opt for smart casual. Bear in mind some countries you will visit adopt a more conservative standard of dress than we are used to in the UK. When visiting sacred places, it is recommended that arms and legs are covered. Women may also wish to take a shawl to cover their shoulders and all visitors should wear long trousers, or skirts or shorts that reach below the knee. Taking off your shoes is also a prerequisite before entering many sacred places.

• What is the best way to pay for things in Zimbabwe?

  Local currency is always recommended for small purchases and tipping. Coins and small bills are ideal for this. When you change money, ask for some small bills and keep these separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible. We also recommend advising your bank of your travel plans prior to departing from the UK so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash.

  A currency card is also a simple way to buy currency and lock in a great exchange rate before you travel. Distant Journeys recommends Revolut, a digital banking app which offers a pre-paid physical or virtual currency card. It is also simple to apply for, set up and use.

  For more information on the Revolut Currency Card, please click here.

• How much should I tip in Zimbabwe?

  In Africa, it is customary to offer gratuities, particularly in the hospitality industry, as a way of showing your appreciation for good service. Tips remain discretionary, however if you are happy with the service you have received, we would suggest the following amounts:

  • Tour Manager:

  USD $5.00 – $8.00 per person per day, up to a maximum of R1000 per couple

  • Local Guide:

  USD $3.00 – $4.00 per person per day

  • Driver:

  USD $3.00 – $4.00 per person per day, up to a maximum of R500 per couple Safari’s

  Rovos Rail

  Between R100 – R150 / USD $5.00 – $8.00 per person per day There will be a marked envelope in your suite that you can hand directly to the Train Manager who will distribute any amounts on a pro-rata basis among the staff on board.

• Do I need to renew my passport?

  Passports A valid ten-year British passport is required for all our holidays, valid for a minimum of six months after your return date to the UK. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport, please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document.

  A full British passport presently takes approximately up to 10 weeks to obtain. If you are 16 or over and have not yet arranged a passport, you should apply for one at least six weeks before your departure from the UK. The UK Passport Service has to confirm an applicant’s identity before issuing their first passport and will ask them to attend an interview in order to do this. Please note, if you need to apply for visas after you receive your new passport, you will need to factor in additional time for this.

  For more information on passport and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website.

• Will I need a visa to enter Zimbabwe?

  If travelling to Zimbabwe a visa is required - this can be applied for in advance or can be obtained on arrival. You must also complete Zimbabwe’s new electronic declaration arrival form online prior to arrival. This replaces the paper entry form but does not replace the requirement for a visa.

  If you are extending your holiday to Victoria Falls your visa can be arranged on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, together with payment. If you are travelling to Victoria Falls on our African Rail Adventure or Grand African Rail Journey with Rovos Rail, you will need to apply for an evisa before you travel.

  If you are only planning to visit Victoria Falls a single entry visa will be required. However, if you are considering taking our day excursion to Chobe National Park from Victoria Falls, or are booking our Chobe, or Victoria Falls & Chobe Holiday extension you must purchase a double entry visa for Zimbabwe.

  NOTE: Entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa, and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

  For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

  Please note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

  The information provided is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

• Do I need to have any vaccinations for Zimbabwe?

  Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and may change at any time. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel.

  In addition to viewing the UK government’s own travel advice website, at least 8 weeks before your trip, we recommend you check the latest health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website.

  Guidance is also available from on the NHS Travel Vaccinations website, and the NHS (Scotland) FitForTravel website.