Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, lying between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers and covering 390,757 km². In the north-west, Victoria Falls on the Zambezi is shared with Zambia1. It also holds Great Zimbabwe, the largest stone structure in precolonial Southern Africa2. UNESCO lists five World Heritage properties3 in Zimbabwe: Great Zimbabwe, the Khami ruins, Mana Pools National Park with the Sapi and Chewore safari areas, Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls and the Matobo Hills.
Regions and main cities
Harare is the capital and largest city, and Bulawayo is the second largest1. The Matobo Hills, an area of granite kopjes and wooded valleys, begin some 35 km south of Bulawayo. From Bulawayo, Matopos Road continues some 30 km south to the park boundary of Matobo National Park, which forms the core of the hills and has over 3,000 registered rock art sites4.
Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls1. There the Zambezi, more than 2 km wide at that point, plunges down a series of basalt gorges and raises a mist that can be seen more than 20 km away. The falls are 1,708 m wide5, the largest curtain of falling water in the world by UNESCO’s description.
In the south-east, the Great Zimbabwe ruins lie approximately 30 km from Masvingo. The stone city was built between 1100 and 1450 AD by the Shona, and in the 14th century it was the principal city of a major state; its inhabitants then exceeded 10,0006. The country’s name stems from a Shona term1 for Great Zimbabwe.
Mutare is the third-largest city in Zimbabwe. It lies near the border with Mozambique7 and is sometimes called the gateway to the Eastern Highlands. The Eastern Highlands are a series of mountainous areas near that border, and they usually have cool temperatures and the highest rainfall in the country1.
Getting there and around
The KAZA Univisa covers travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia and day trips into Botswana. As of 2026 it costs USD 50 and is valid for 30 days. It is sold at Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls airports8 and at the land borders at Victoria Falls and Kazungula.
On the roads, the UK government’s 2026 advice is to avoid driving outside main towns at night. Hazards it lists include deep potholes, vehicles without lights and stray livestock. Fuel is sometimes unavailable, so carry extra fuel and top up your tank whenever possible. The same advice calls commuter buses, known as combis, often overcrowded and recklessly driven, and says taxis recommended by hotels are usually reliable9. More on routes and transport is on the getting around page.
When to go
The rainy season is typically a time of heavy rainfall from November to March. The dry season, with a short cool spell, runs from May to September10, when the whole country has very little rain. The Zambezi’s annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April; during the flood the foot and the face of the falls cannot be seen. The minimum flow occurs in November11.
TravelHealthPro rates the malaria risk high below 1,200 m from November to June and low there from July to October. In the Zambezi valley the risk is throughout the year, while Harare and Bulawayo have very low risk12. The health page covers vaccines and tablets.
Money, safety and visas
Money: declare cash if it is worth USD 10,000 or more, and it is illegal to leave Zimbabwe with cash worth more than USD 2,0008. Bring cash in case your bank card is not accepted9. The costs page has typical prices.
Safety: in 2026 the UK government describes a moderate level of crime9, with mugging, pickpocketing and bag-snatching common in city centres, especially after dark. The safety page has the details.
Visas: for British passport holders in 2026, most visitors get their visa on arrival, usually for 30 days, paid in US dollars in small notes. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk8. Check the rules for your own passport before you go.
