Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Zimbabwe (source: World Health Organisation). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. The WHO office in Harare has trained all Zimbabwe Port Authority staff in "Swine Flu" screening and people entering Zimbabwe should expect to be visually screened upon arrival by Port Authority staff (there is no infrared screening equipment). Those who display symptoms of flu may need to undergo some tests. Those arrivals showing severe symptoms may be quarantined in one of two Infection Control Hospitals. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website for further information.  Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• You should avoid areas where War Veterans are active or where incidents of violence are taking place. There have been a number of serious and violent incidents in rural areas and it is dangerous for farmers or agricultural workers to visit former properties or other agricultural areas. We advise against travel by journalists intending to carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation. The situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning.
  
  
• Zimbabwe has recently experienced a serious and widespread cholera outbreak that continues to affect isolated parts of the country. Tens of thousands of people have been affected since September 2008 and thousands of people have died. Whilst the worst of the epidemic appears to be over, you are advised to observe rigorous food and hygiene measures.  You should familiarise yourself with precautions to take to avoid cholera including drinking or using only purified water. See the Health section of this advice for further guidance.
  
  
• If you are currently resident in Zimbabwe, you should continue to review your security arrangements, ensure your travel documents are up to date and readily available and have a contingency plan in place in case you need to leave at short notice. The British Embassy in Harare is currently maintaining a full range of consular services. However in the event of a significant deterioration in the security situation, the consular assistance we will be able to provide will be severely limited. See the Political Situation and the General (Living in, or travelling to, Zimbabwe) sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• 95 British nationals required consular assistance in Zimbabwe in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (18 cases); hospitalisations (10 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (23 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (86 cases).   However, there was a sharp increase in the number of foreign journalists arrested in 2008, in the level of violent crime and the number of outbreaks of cholera cases. The serious deterioration in the economy and infrastructure has made the provision of basic services and health care very unreliable. See the Crime, Political Situation, Local Travel, Health and General (Economic affects) sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should ensure that your insurance is still valid given the current alert level for Zimbabwe and check any exclusions. Your policy should  cover you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

The deteriorating economy had led to an increase in the general level of crime, particularly violent crime. We are aware of an increase in armed robberies targeting foreign residents.  Several older British nationals have been attacked in their homes for small amounts of foreign currency. You should ensure that your place of accommodation is secure at all times.  Mugging, pick pocketing and jewellery theft are also common in city centres, especially after dark.  You should be particularly cautious when leaving banks and cash points and at Harare airport. You should avoid travelling alone.

You should carry your Zimbabwean Resident ID or photocopies of your passport, although banks will not accept photocopies for monetary transactions.  If your passport is lost or stolen, you should immediately inform the police and the British Embassy in Harare. You should be aware that a passport renewal could take up to four weeks.

For advice specifically on rural areas please see below

Car-jackings

Armed car-jackings are a continual cause of concern in major towns.  Thefts and smash-and-grab robberies from vehicles are common. We are aware of reports of a number of robberies on the Masvingo-Beitbridge road. You should be particularly vigilant when using these routes.  Drivers should keep their vehicle doors locked and windows closed and be cautious when travelling, particularly at night and at filling stations. If possible, you should not leave vehicles unattended in unguarded areas in the towns.  Although there is no certain way to avoid harm should an attack take place, we advise you not to resist and to avoid eye contact if you find yourself in this situation.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political situation

Zimbabwe Country Profile

Despite the formation of a cross-party inclusive government, there continues to be a degree of political uncertainty, and there are pockets of violence. The situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning.

If you are resident in Zimbabwe, you are advised to monitor local media for developments and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held, or where there are large gatherings of people. If a demonstration or disturbance is taking place, you should leave the area as quickly as possible. You should not stay to watch or attempt to photograph it, even from a distance, or use a mobile phone. Throughout 2007, 2008 and 2009 the authorities have used force to suppress demonstrations and when carrying out other police duties. These policing methods mean these rallies can quickly develop into violent situations.

In 2008 there were numerous politically motivated attacks across Zimbabwe including abductions and the assault, torture and murder of opposition supporters, NGOs workers, lawyers and those perceived to be anti-government. The police cannot be relied upon to assist victims and have told some British Nationals that they will not respond to politically motivated crime.

You should avoid engaging in overtly partisan political activity, or in activities which could be construed as such, including political discussions in public places, or criticism of the President.  It is an offence to make derogatory or insulting comments about President Mugabe or to carry material considered to be offensive to the President’s office. You should also be aware that an open hand is the political symbol of the MDC political party, and a friendly wave may therefore be misinterpreted.  The carrying of books by banned authors, or the wearing of T-shirts with political slogans, can provoke a hostile reaction.

Local Travel

Zimbabwe has many safari lodges and game reserves. We are aware of a number of incidents in which animals have attacked visitors resulting in injuries and, in some cases, deaths. Animals in the game parks and reserves are wild. They should be treated with caution and respect, and not approached too closely.

Flash flooding during the rainy season (November to February) can make some roads impassable.

Rural Areas

Since 2000, most of Zimbabwe’s commercial farms have been occupied or taken over by members of the National War Veterans' Association and others. Since February 2009 there has been a sharp rise in the number of farm invasions and looting of property. Farmers, including British Nationals, have been seriously injured in violent attacks. Farmers or agricultural workers who used to operate in Zimbabwe are advised that it is dangerous to visit their former properties. A number of such visits in 2008 were misinterpreted and led to confrontation and violence. You should avoid areas where War Veterans are active or incidents of violence are taking place. There have been a number of incidents of arrest and violence, including reports of violent deaths in Marange and other diamond mining areas. You should take local advice on where these areas are. If you are stopped and told that you may not access a particular area, we advise you not to proceed.

Road Travel

You are permitted to drive in Zimbabwe on production of a full UK driving licence although British Nationals resident in Zimbabwe are advised to also obtain a Zimbabwean license to minimise the potential for problems at road blocks. You must obey police signals, stop at roadblocks and toll-gates and produce identification if asked to do so.  You are advised to travel carefully on inter-city roads, always wear seatbelts, lock car doors, carry a comprehensive medical kit and avoid travelling after dark. If you are driving, you should think carefully before setting out on long distance journeys, and either carry extra fuel or keep your tank topped up as much as possible.  We advise that you take up-to-date advice from local contacts about any places that you plan to visit.

Traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury.  There are often large and deep potholes in the roads, which can be dangerous.  Increasingly traffic lights are out of action and cause numerous accidents. You should avoid driving outside the main towns at night, as vehicles are often poorly lit and roads badly marked.  Abandoned unlit heavy goods vehicles, cyclists without lights, pedestrians and stray livestock are particularly dangerous hazards. Emergency services can provide only limited help in the event of an accident and ambulances are often severely delayed by a lack of fuel. You should also be careful about stopping in lay-bys, particularly in the Beitbridge area, as there have been incidents of cars being robbed and occupants attacked (see the Crime section of this advice).

It is an offence to continue driving when the President's motorcade goes past, no matter which side of the road you are on. If you see the motorcade you should pull off the road, or onto the side of the road if this is not possible. There have been a number of incidents where people have been assaulted by the security forces for stopping in the wrong place or for not stopping soon enough.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Public Transport

Public transport and services, including internal and external flights with Air Zimbabwe, are unreliable and may be cancelled or not run on schedule. Buses (mainly privately run minibuses) are overcrowded, inadequately maintained, frequently not insured, and the drivers often reckless. They are not recommended for travel.  There have been incidents of assault on tourists hitch hiking and travelling in unlicensed buses. 

Level crossings are poorly marked. Each year there are a number of fatal accidents.  On 31 July 2008, at least nine people were killed when a freight train hit a bus at a rail crossing on the Mazowe-Centenary Road.

Rail Travel

The rail system is underdeveloped and very poorly maintained, resulting in numerous accidents. Rail travel is a dangerous option. There have been a number of fatal train crashes. 

Air Travel

The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Community.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

We are not able to make a formal assessment of all airlines in Zimbabwe.  It is not known whether safety procedures on all aircraft used for internal and regional flights meet international standards.  You should take this into consideration before using internal or regional flights. Air Zimbabwe route-share with some other African airlines and use airports in countries who have no direct commercial air service to the UK, and whom the UK Civil Aviation Authority has therefore not been in a position to check for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards. You should bear this in mind when making travel plans.

Like the rest of the country, Zimbabwe’s airports suffer from a lack of electricity. Harare International Airport is reliant on a generator during power cuts. This has an impact on the airport’s ability to light the runway and provide air traffic control facilities. It also results in considerable delays, especially at night, to disembarkation, immigration and luggage collection. You should take this into consideration when booking flights, which arrive or depart outside of daylight hours.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

Entry requirements

Health

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  Your policy should include cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance and cover for any adventure sports you may participate in. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Living in, or travelling to, Zimbabwe

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

If you live in or travel to Zimbabwe we advise you to:

• Register with the British Embassy in Harare.  This can be done on-line at UK in Zimbabwe (click on 'services' at the top left and then 'on-line registration').
• Check this travel advice regularly and subscribe to automatic updates at subscribe.
• Ensure that your travel documents are readily available.  Ensure that your passport and Zimbabwe immigration and residency permissions are up to date.  Your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages left in it.  Failure to do so could impede your exit.
• Ensure you have your own contingency plan for how you would leave at short notice and regularly review its viability in the light of changing circumstances.
  
• Ensure that you are content with your own and your family's security arrangements and keep yourself up to date with developments, and have sufficient supplies to sustain you and your family if you are unable to leave the house for several days.
  

Economic effects

Economic decline has led to deterioration in the provision of basic services.  There are frequent and prolonged power cuts that affect the whole country, sometimes for days at a time, as well as fuel and water shortages. The Zimbabwean mobile phone network is near collapse and land lines are unreliable. Some business people have been targeted for arrest for economic gain.

EU arms embargo

There is an EU arms embargo on Zimbabwe.  It is an offence in UK law to take firearms into Zimbabwe at the current time, even if you intend to bring them back to the UK at the end of your visit. 

Money

It is inadvisable to carry large amounts of cash.  However, credit and debit cards are not widely accepted and it is not possible to withdraw cash from ATMs..  It is illegal to exchange foreign currency in Zimbabwe anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (e.g. banks), who may not have sufficient currency to accommodate your request.  It is advisable to have small denomination notes, as change is rarely available.  All airlines now include a departure tax which you may have to pay in cash.