Many visitors arrive at Victoria Falls, by air or overland from Zambia or Botswana, often as part of a wider southern African trip, and pair the falls with a safari in Hwange National Park, a few days on Lake Kariba or a canoe trip in Mana Pools. Others start in Harare and head south to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the granite hills of Matobo near Bulawayo. Roam Like at Home does not reach Zimbabwe, so a European SIM falls back on its operator's own roaming prices there.
Key facts for Zimbabwe
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Econet (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112 from a mobile (114 on NetOne) or 999; police 995; ambulance 994
- Embassies: in Harare
Victoria Falls
Coverage is good in Victoria Falls town and along the rainforest trail facing the falls, though in the high-water season the spray can soak an unprotected phone, so bring a waterproof pouch. Criminals target visitors near hotels, restaurants and shops here as well as in the cities, so keep valuables out of sight. Rafting and the other adventure activities in the Batoka Gorge carry real risks: choose established operators and check what your insurance covers.
The KAZA UniVisa, sold at Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo airports and at the Victoria Falls and Kazungula land borders, covers Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days, plus day trips into Botswana. Take US dollars in small notes to pay for it.
Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba
Lodges in Hwange and on Lake Kariba usually offer Wi-Fi, but the mobile signal disappears quickly on game drives and is weak or absent in remote areas such as Mana Pools, where walking and canoe safaris are popular. Animal attacks have injured and killed visitors, so travel with a licensed operator and follow your guide's instructions at all times.
Harare, Bulawayo and the roads
Coverage is solid in Harare and Bulawayo. Mugging, pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in city centres, especially after dark, and smash-and-grab thefts happen at junctions on the airport road and on Borrowdale and Churchill roads in Harare, so keep doors locked and bags out of sight. Stay away from demonstrations and political gatherings, which can turn violent.
Driving standards are very poor. Avoid driving outside the main towns at night, stop at police roadblocks and toll gates, and pull over when the President's motorcade passes, as continuing to drive is illegal. Fuel can run short, and frequent power cuts can leave traffic lights out of action.
Laws to know
It is illegal to photograph government offices, airports, military sites, police officers, soldiers or demonstrations, and making insulting comments about the President is a crime. Civilians may not wear camouflage clothing, sex between men is illegal, and drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. Carry a copy of your passport photo page and your visa at all times.
Paying
US dollars are used for most everyday transactions, alongside the local currency, the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold). Bring enough cash in small, undamaged US dollar notes, because change is hard to find and torn notes are refused. Cards are accepted mainly at larger hotels and lodges, sometimes with a surcharge, and cash machines are unreliable with foreign cards. Change money only with licensed dealers, and note that you cannot leave the country with more than 2,000 US dollars in cash.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up before the trip starts working when you land at Victoria Falls or Harare, while your home SIM can stay on for texts and bank verification codes. Zimbabwe has its own plans, separate from the Africa plan, so add an Africa plan too if your trip continues into Zambia or Botswana.
Zimbabwean SIM cards from Econet or NetOne are sold at the airports and in town, and you will need your passport to register one.
Consular protection: who to call in Zimbabwe
- From a mobile, dial 112 for the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade, or 114 if you are on the NetOne network. The national number 999 and the Harare lines for the police (995) and ambulances (994) also work, although 999 is less reliable outside the capital.
- Embassies are in Harare. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- EU citizens whose country has no embassy or consulate in Zimbabwe can ask any other EU embassy for help, which must be given on the same terms as to its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- The police may ask for identification, so keep the copies of your passport and visa with you; they also speed up any consular paperwork.
Questions travellers ask about Zimbabwe
Will my European SIM work in Zimbabwe?
It will roam, but Zimbabwe is outside Roam Like at Home, so you pay your operator's roaming rates.
Do I need US dollars?
Yes. Bring small, clean notes for the visa, tips and everyday purchases, as cards and cash machines often let you down.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Zimbabwe?
Econet, with 4G where available.
What is the emergency number?
112 from a mobile (114 on NetOne) or 999; 995 for the police and 994 for an ambulance.
The short version
Get the eSIM on your phone before you fly, carry small US dollar notes, keep your camera away from officials and government buildings, avoid driving at night, and save 112 and 995.
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