Zimbabwe

Recommended Vaccinations For Zimbabwe

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in the country for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for travel to this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Zimbabwe

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Zimbabwe

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Zimbabwe through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

There is a risk of dengue fever in this country.

Cholera

Cholera transmission is widespread in Zimbabwe. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked food in this country.

For Some Travellers

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in this country.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in this country. Ticks that cause this disease are usually most active from November through April. Travellers engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and game hunting in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas may be at a higher risk.

Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is caused by touching infected animals or their body fluids ; touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person or objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus.

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 2)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in rural Zimbabwe. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in Zimbabwe. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists from November to June inclusive in areas below 1,200 meters and throughout the year in the Zambezi Valley. In Bulawayo and Harare, the risk is negligible.

Yellow Fever

Travellers are not at risk for yellow fever in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 9 months of age or older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Zimbabwe, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.

Safety & Security in Zimbabwe

Personal Safety

There is a moderate level of crime in Zimbabwe. Muggings, theft, pickpocketing, and other street crimes are very common. With respect to your personal safety, be cautious, and always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Ensure all personal belongings are safe and out of sight at all times.

Exercise caution in areas around hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and tourist areas such as Victoria Falls. Downtown Harare, particularly the high-density residential suburbs, are high-crime areas.

The safety and security situation is unstable, and tourists should travel with reputable organizations or groups. Robberies have occurred at national parks.

Never make any derogatory or insulting comments about the president, a member of his government, or the Zimbabwean government itself, as such statements are a criminal offense.

Avoid travelling alone or after dark. When driving, keep the doors locked and windows closed. Criminals sometimes target stopped cars. Be aware of your surroundings when driving. Try to avoid being caught at a traffic light. Be particularly vigilant along the road to Harare Airport and on the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.

Driving outside of cities after dark can be hazardous due to problems such as vehicles without lights, lack of adequate marking of roads, or animals that stray onto the road. Anyone driving longer distances should carry supplies and extra fuel.

If possible, avoid public transportation including trains and inter-city buses due to poor maintenance. Commuter buses or “combis” are badly maintained and often overcrowded, and drivers may not follow the rules of the road.

Cooperate with the authorities and carry a photo of your passport and travel documents at all times. Both travellers and residents can be randomly detained.

Due to the conservative nature of the country, public displays of affection may be considered offensive, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Same-sex relations are illegal in Zimbabwe. Penalties include fines and imprisonment. Same-sex marriage is prohibited by the 2013 constitution.

Travellers visiting game reserves or safari lodges should ensure the operators are fully licensed and trained. Safety standards may vary, and safety inspections are not generally done.

Motorcades for the president or other senior officials move fast and aggressively. It is an offense to not pull off the road. Security forces have been known to assault those who do not pull over quickly enough.

There are shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel. Basic services, such as electricity, are unreliable. Taking photos of the State House, government offices, airports, military establishments, official residences, and embassies is illegal. The roads around State House in Harare will be closed at night. Zimbabwe experiences a cyclone season from November to April. Monitor weather alerts closely and follow the advice of local authorities. Be aware that travel plans may be disrupted or canceled in the event of extreme weather.

Political Unrest

Civil unrest can be unpredictable in Zimbabwe. Minimize safety risks by avoiding any areas of civil unrest. Taking photos of demonstrations, protests, police officers or military personnel is illegal.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid travel in low-income districts in cities like Harare and Bulawayo at any time. Avoid travelling to areas bordering Mozambique as there is a high risk of crime and theft. Avoid travel to the Marange diamond mining fields in Chiadzwa, Mutare. Avoid travel near the State House in Harare due to increased security presence and road blocks at night. Exercise caution in Victoria Falls and Honde Valley waterfalls, including Mterazi Falls and Pungwe Falls; at popular safari camps in the Hwange and Mana Pools national parks.