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Is Zimbabwe safe for safari?

Conservationists, tourism organizations, and Zimbabwean citizens work together to ensure that Zimbabwe remains safe, accessible, and affordable for tourists says one of the leading safari companies. Travel Safe Abroad rates Zimbabwe as a 'medium' for safety.



In 2026, Zimbabwe is considered very safe for safari, particularly in world-renowned hubs like Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, and Mana Pools. These areas are well-managed and rely heavily on tourism, so security is a high priority. While the country faces broader economic and political challenges, these issues rarely affect travelers in the "safari bubble." The primary "safety" concerns on a Zimbabwe safari are wildlife-related rather than criminal; it is essential to follow your professional guide's instructions at all times, especially during walking safaris. In urban areas like Harare or Bulawayo, "exercise a high degree of caution" is the standard advice due to petty crime like pickpocketing, similar to many other global cities. For health safety, Zimbabwe is a malaria-risk zone, so taking prophylaxis is highly recommended. Most travelers find the local people to be exceptionally warm and welcoming, and the high standard of guide training in Zimbabwe—often cited as the most rigorous in Africa—provides an extra layer of professional safety for visitors.

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Country Summary: Opportunistic crime, such as pickpocketing, theft, and smashing of car windows with intent to steal, is common. Violent crime, such as assault, carjacking, and home invasion, also occurs. Criminals often target foreigners and residents suspected of having large sums of cash.

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A gem among Africa's safari destinations, Zimbabwe boasts some of the most spectacular untamed wilderness, wildlife encounters and experiences that are hard to match anywhere else on the continent.

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Same-sex relations are illegal in Zimbabwe and can attract criminal penalties. Be careful when taking photos. Photographing airports, military establishments, government offices, the President's residence and security forces is illegal. Avoid political activity and any activities that officials could view as political.

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Other bottlenecks to tourism growth includes: lack of internal airline connectivity & poor road network, poor marketing, lack of institutional coordination, limited skills and experience, lack of domestic tourism promotion, unfriendly visa policy and limited ICT usage. Harare.

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CDC recommends that travelers going to Zimbabwe take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

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Is Zimbabwe safe for solo female travellers? Yes, Zimbabwe is generally safe for solo female travelers. However, it is important to take the usual precautions when traveling alone, such as avoiding walking alone at night, being aware of your surroundings, and not carrying large amounts of cash.

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Botswana: Consistently ranked as one of Africa's safest countries, Botswana's top safari destination is Chobe National Park, which is dense with a variety of wild game. The park has one of Africa's highest concentrations of elephants, with over 50,000 migrating through the park.

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Botswana. Consistently ranked as the safest African safari country, both in terms of political stability and low crime rates, Botswana is also one of the most rewarding safari destinations.

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Yes It is Safe! Please come and see for yourself So even when Zimbabwe was going through its worst times, Victoria Falls always remained a safe destination and I can confidently state that Victoria Falls is a perfectly safe tourist destination.

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It is extremely rude to talk back to an elder or challenge their opinion, even if they are incorrect. Offer guests hot water to wash their hands before giving them tea. Gratitude is often shown nonverbally with claps to show respect. People clap twice to say “thank you” if someone is passing them something.

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However, English, Shona and Ndebele are the most widely spoken languages in the country. Approximately 70% of the population is Shona speaking and speaks ChiShona as their first language. But the official language of Zimbabwe is English.

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You need a passport, visa, return ticket, and adequate funds to cover your intended stay in order to enter Zimbabwe. If you are traveling to Zimbabwe for tourism, business, or transit, you may obtain a visa at the airports or other border ports-of-entry.

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Many are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites; and first and foremost is the mythical Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River that surrounds them. Some of the most impressive of these places are the many national parks and reserves that are dotted around Zimbabwe.

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