Zimbabwe in Review

Things we’ve learned

Zimbabwe was a British colony until 1980 and has a recent history of struggle between black and white people. Within the last 17 years, many whites left the country after losing their farmland. Those that remain live within what some (even them) would describe as a bubble. The country itself was mentioned as being unsafe before we arrived, but everyone we met was very welcoming and helpful regardless of their background. You can almost guarantee that any mode of public transportation will have loud local music playing to provide entertainment throughout the journey. Their current president, Robert Mugabe, is now 93 years old and the most recent survey rates the country as the 17th most corrupt country in the world. Due to inflation, they use USD as well as bond notes. The largest issue is that most banks do not have money resulting in a cash crisis. Locals will stand in line for an entire day to only find out there is no more cash and those who can, opt for transferring money without using cash. You are also likely to encounter people with unexpected names like Xmas, Bunny, Wonderful and Give More.

Zimbabwe by the numbers

1441 kilometers in bus
92+ kilometers in combi
263 kilometers in train
5 towns visited
2 National Parks
1 UNESCO World Heritage site
Meds used: 22 antimalarials
Items broken/replaced: Tico’s waist buckle on backpack
Items damaged: Tripod grips (expanded with spilled gasoline during our trip to Hwange)

Roam to Discover Awards

Most memorable meal: Sheep on a spit
Best hike: Pungwe/Nyangu Confluence
Must-see location: Aberfoyle tea plantations
Best wildlife experience: Hwange National Park
Most enjoyable day activity: Gorge swing
Drink of choice: Amarula with whiskey (even though not national)
Most colorful sunrise: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe side
Most photogenic sunset: Victoria Falls – Zambia side

Our Zimbabwe route

Overall helpful tips:

Be prepared with sufficient US dollars in anticipation of not being able to pull out money.

If your credit card does not require a PIN, it will likely not work at most places outside of Vic Falls.

Ignore people if they tell you to skip the country. It is beautiful and we never felt unsafe.