Getting Around Zimbabwe
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use kombis and buses for Harare and Bulawayo. Rural: Rent a car for national parks and safaris. Wildlife Areas: Organized tours and shuttles. For convenience, book airport transfers from Harare to your destination.
Train Travel
NRZ National Rail
Limited but scenic train network connecting major cities like Harare to Bulawayo with overnight services.
Cost: Harare to Bulawayo $10-20, journeys 12-18 hours for economy class.
Tickets: Buy at stations or through NRZ offices, advance booking recommended for sleeper cars.
Peak Times: Weekends busier, book early for holidays like Independence Day.
Rail Passes
NRZ offers multi-journey tickets for frequent travelers, around $50 for 5 trips within the network.
Best For: Exploring central routes over several days, savings for 3+ journeys.
Where to Buy: Major stations in Harare or Bulawayo, or contact NRZ for custom passes.
High-Speed Options
Limited high-speed, but connections to Beitbridge for South Africa border via freight-passenger hybrids.
Booking: Reserve seats days in advance, discounts for groups or off-peak travel.
Main Stations: Harare Station central hub, Bulawayo for southern routes.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for safaris in Hwange and rural exploration. Compare rental prices from $30-50/day at Harare Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international permit advised), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage essential due to road conditions, includes off-road options.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 60 km/h urban, 120 km/h highways, 80 km/h rural.
Tolls: Minimal on major roads like A1, pay in USD at checkpoints.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow roads, animals have right of way in parks.
Parking: Free in most areas, secure lots $2-5/night in cities.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available in towns at $1.20-1.40/liter for petrol, $1.10-1.30 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation in remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy in Harare rush hours, potholes common on rural roads.
Urban Transport
Harare Buses & Kombis
Informal minibus network (kombis) and ZUPCO buses, single ride $0.50-1, day pass $3.
Validation: Pay cash to conductor, haggle for longer trips, watch for overcrowding.
Apps: Limited, use Google Maps for routes, EcoCash for digital payments.
Bike Rentals
Bicycle hires in Victoria Falls and Harare parks, $5-10/day with guided options.
Routes: Safe paths around lakes and urban green spaces, avoid main roads.
Tours: Eco-tours available in national parks, combining biking with wildlife viewing.
Buses & Local Services
Intercity buses by companies like Intercape, urban services in Bulawayo and Harare.
Tickets: $1-2 per ride, buy from depots or use mobile money.
Shuttles: Popular for Victoria Falls to Livingstone, $10-15 one-way.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus stations in cities for easy access, near parks for wildlife viewing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (May-Oct) and major events like Great Zimbabwe Festival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for wildlife-dependent travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, generator power, and proximity to transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G in cities like Harare, 3G in rural areas including major parks.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Econet, NetOne, and Telecel offer prepaid SIMs from $5-10 with decent coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, shops, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 2GB for $10, 5GB for $20, unlimited for $30/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, lodges, and cafes, limited in rural spots.
Public Hotspots: Airports and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally 5-20 Mbps in urban areas, suitable for browsing and maps.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, no daylight saving.
- Airport Transfers: Harare Airport 15km from city center, taxi $20 (20 min), bus $2, or book private transfer for $30-50.
- Luggage Storage: Available at bus stations ($3-5/day) and hotels in major cities.
- Accessibility: Buses and trains basic, many lodges offer wheelchair access in parks.
- Pet Travel: Pets restricted on public transport, check lodge policies for rural stays.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on buses for $5, easier on trains off-peak.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Zimbabwe
Harare International (HRE) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Harare International (HRE): Primary international gateway, 15km from city center with taxi connections.
Victoria Falls (VFA): Key for safaris 20km from town, shuttle $10 (30 min).
Bulawayo (BUQ): Regional airport with domestic flights, convenient for southern Zimbabwe.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for dry season (May-Oct) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Johannesburg and bus to Zimbabwe for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Fastjet, Airlink, and Ethiopian Airlines serve Harare with regional connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Available in cities, fees $2-5, use major banks to avoid issues with USD withdrawals.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels, less in markets; cash preferred.
- Contactless Payment: Limited, but growing in urban areas with EcoCash mobile wallets.
- Cash: USD essential for transport and rural spots, keep $50-100 in small bills.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, 5-10% in restaurants for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid unofficial changers.