Reality Brief: Bulawayo

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Essentials before you arrive

• A visa is required. Get it online (evisa.gov.zw, pre-registration strongly recommended) or on arrival, usually for 30 days, paid in US dollars cash in small notes (roughly 30 USD single entry, 45 double entry). The KAZA visa also covers Zambia and day trips to Botswana.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Zimbabwe travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with 3 blank pages.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Zimbabwe travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Duty-free allowance of 200 USD per person (alcohol limited to 5 litres including 2 of spirits); honey, drugs and pornographic publications banned; import licence for medicines. Declare your foreign currency on arrival: exports are capped at 2,000 USD and any excess may be confiscated.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence

• Emergencies 112 (Econet) or 114 (NetOne), 0800 3222 911 from a landline; France also lists 911. Ambulances in Harare: 182 or 464.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Zimbabwe travel advice: getting helpFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, useful contactsGuide: Health

• The currency is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), but most transactions are in US dollars. Foreign cards are not always accepted and withdrawing cash is very difficult; counterfeit notes circulate. Bring dollars in small notes.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: ZimbabweGOV.UK (FCDO), Zimbabwe travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Money and banking

• Strained socio-economic context: stay away from gatherings, avoid any political activity or statement, including online, and stay calm at police checkpoints.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Avoid driving at night (poor roads, no lighting, livestock and wildlife). Keep doors locked and nothing visible on the seats.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Living in Bulawayo

• Crime is generally low, mainly after dark near hotels, banks and ATMs; burglaries are rising in Harare, sometimes armed. Take care on the Harare airport road at night. Do not resist if attacked.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Avoid driving at night (poor roads, no lighting, livestock and wildlife). Keep doors locked and nothing visible on the seats.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Zimbabwe, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (20), clinics (12), hospitals (8). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (2), supermarkets (41). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (26), currency exchange (1), money transfer (3). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (3). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (6). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Emergency numbers

  112 (Econet), 114 (NetOne), 0800 3222 911 from a landline.

  1121140800 3222 911

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Zimbabwe travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026