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If you're already in southern Africa, there are frequent services between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. The cheapest flights between Europe and Harare are with Balkan Airways, which flies via Sofia, but there are also competitively priced flights from London. Qantas flies from Sydney and Perth, Australia, to Harare once a week. North American visitors will probably have to connect through Jo'burg.

Popular land borders include the Victoria Falls/Kazungala crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana (from where you can continue through Chobe National Park to Namibia), the Victoria Falls/Livingstone crossing to Zambia, and the road and rail links to South Africa via Beitbridge. To Mozambique (and Malawi), the route is from Harare to Blantyre via the Nyamapanda and Mwanza border crossings. Daily buses run this route.

Money and Costs

Currency: Zimbabwe dollar (Z$)

Meals


• Budget: US$1-2

• Mid-range: US$2-7

• Top-end: US$7 and upwards
  
  Lodging
  

• Budget: US$5-20

• Mid-range: US$20-50

• Top-end: US$50 and upwards

Zimbabwe has recently been in the grips of economic turmoil, with inflation above 55% and rising. Although foreigners are made to pay considerably more for goods and services than locals, Zimbabwe is still not expensive for overseas visitors carrying stronger currencies. Inexpensive hostels are springing up around the country, national parks are still a good value and food is reasonably priced. Due to a shortage of foreign exchange, imported items are expensive, but consumer goods produced in Zimbabwe, although rarely of optimum quality, are quite affordable. It's possible to travel on less than US$15 a day if you stay in hostels or camping grounds and eat in cheap local establishments or self-cater. It's quite a financial leap to hotel accommodation: count on spending up to US$50 a day for a reasonable room with private facilities and a couple of restaurant meals. If you want to travel in high style, count on at least US$100 per day.

Banks are open Monday to Saturday (closed Wednesday and Saturday afternoons). All brands of travellers' cheques in US dollar or UK pound denominations can be easily exchanged for Zimbabwe dollars at any bank. Major international currencies are also accepted, but due to rampant counterfeiting, no-one in Zimbabwe is currently accepting US$100 notes. Informal currency exchange is illegal and not worth the risks - you're almost certainly dealing with a scammer. Credit cards are accepted by establishments catering to tourists and business people. There are some Barclays Bank ATMs, compatible with Visa cards, but you shouldn't rely on plastic to get cash.

There's a 15% tax on hotel rooms, safaris and other tourist services. Zimbabwe's other hefty consumer taxes are almost invariably included in the price. Tips of around 10% are expected by taxi drivers and in tourist-class hotels and restaurants. Some establishments automatically add a 10% service charge to the bill, which replaces the gratuity.