Zimbabwe
The practical basics before you go: plugs, emergency numbers, money, tipping and the time.
The country in brief
About 17 million people live in Zimbabwe, on 390,757 km². The capital is Harare.
- Capital
- Harare
- Population
- 16,950,795
- Area
- 390,757 km²
- Official languages
- English, Xhosa, Ndau, Venda +11
Facts change, so check the important things before you travel.
Population: World Bank, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). Capital, area and languages: Wikidata. Facts fetched October 30, 2026.
Before you go
Which plugs are used in Zimbabwe?
Sockets take plug type D/G, at 220 V and 50 Hz.
What is the emergency number in Zimbabwe?
Call 995 for the police, 994 for an ambulance and 993 for the fire brigade.
Do you tip in Zimbabwe?
About 10 %.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Zimbabwe?
Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when you cross the street.
What currency is used in Zimbabwe?
Prices are in Zimbabwean Gold (ZWG).
What language do they speak in Zimbabwe?
Official languages: English, Xhosa, Ndau, Venda, Chewa, Khoisan, Kalanga, Shona, Tonga, Tswana, Tsonga, Sesotho, Northern Ndebele, Nambya, and Barwe.
How do I call a number in Zimbabwe from abroad?
To call a number there from abroad, start with +263.
Entry rules and travel advice
Visa rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice. Your own government keeps them up to date, so check its advice before you book.
Links checked October 30, 2026.
