Zimbabwe Travel Risk Overview
Is Zimbabwe safe right now? Checked 16 October 2026
Zimbabwe scores 53/100 on our travel risk index (Elevated). The US State Department rates Zimbabwe Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution, updated 27 Jun 2023); the UK has no advice against travel; Canada says: exercise a high degree of caution. No change in government advice in the last 7 days.
Zimbabwe has a Travel Risk Calculator score of 53 out of 100 (elevated risk tier); city-level files are available for 30 cities. The score combines five layers (security, crime and scams, health and medical access, natural hazards, current alerts) built from government advisories and open data. This page also covers nine safety categories (crime, disease & health, government advisory, political & civil unrest, natural disaster & weather, transport & route, environmental, digital security, money safety), the current US State Department advisory, GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices for Zimbabwe, recent news headlines, plus links to every city we have an editorial file for.
Run a personalized Zimbabwe assessmentAI safety snapshot · refreshed Oct 15, 2026
As of October 15, 2026, Zimbabwe holds a baseline composite risk score of 53 out of 100, indicating an elevated risk level. The current US State Department advisory is at Level 2, and the CDC maintains a Level 1 global dengue health notice. Recent headlines also feature a warning from the Vice President regarding skin-lightening products.
AI-summarized strictly from the live public-source data below (US State Dept advisory, GDACS, CDC, Google News). Auto-refreshed at most once per day on the first visit. Not official advice.
Live conditions last refreshed: Oct 16, 2026 05:44 UTC
How safe is Zimbabwe to visit in 2026?
Zimbabwe currently sits at 53/100 on Travel Risk Calculator's five-layer score, which puts it in the elevated-risk tier. Travelers should plan Zimbabwe trips more carefully than the global average. Register with your embassy, check the live advisory in the section below, and read the per-city files for your specific destination. The full live US State Department advisory text for Zimbabwe, current GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices, and recent news headlines are shown in the Live conditions section below. For city-specific files (Harare, Karoi, Shamva), see the City Risk Files section below — they include neighborhood-level scam patterns, transport notes, and medical-access details where available.
Country score
Driven by: security (60/100) and health and medical access (64/100).
Zimbabwe's score of 53 is higher than the scores of 72% of the 241 countries we cover.
Data file
| Source | Editorial regional baseline 2026-05-15 (GPI + State Dept advisory + WHO health/transport + INFORM disaster) |
|---|---|
| Last updated | 2026-05-18 02:25:55 |
| City files | 30 |
Assessment memory
Anonymous assessments help Travel Risk Calculator identify which country and city files deserve deeper review.
| Saved assessments | 0 |
|---|---|
| Average composite | No saved signal yet |
Score layers
Safety categories
Official Government Travel Advisories
Cross-referenced official travel advice from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, normalized to a unified 1–4 risk scale.
Department of State
Exercise increased cautionin Zimbabwe due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens. Opportunistic crime, such as pickpocketing, theft, and smashing of …
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
FCDO travel advice for Zimbabwe. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
Global Affairs Canada
Natural disasters and climate section – added information on El Niño
UK content contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canadian advice provided by Global Affairs Canada under open government terms. US advice provided by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Entry Requirements & Local Laws
Official travel advice summary from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
🛂 Entry Requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Zimbabwe’s current rules for the most common types of travel. The authorities in Zimbabwe set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in the UK. Passport validity requirements To enter Zimbabwe, your passport must have: an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive 3 blank pages, in case you need to enter Zimbabwe and exit through one of the neighbouring countries or if you need to leave at short notice Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entr
Summary of UK FCDO advice, updated Jul 15, 2026 · Full requirements →
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Travel Advisory Level History
Historical official advisory level changes over time.
What Changed This Month in Zimbabwe
Chronological record of verified security, advisory, health, and hazard updates over the past 30 days.
- Oct 2, 2026 CDC Notice Level 1 - Global Dengue (Watch).
- Sep 23, 2026 CDC Notice Level 2 - Global Polio (Alert).
- Oct 14, 2026 Score Change Victoria Falls risk score moved from 51 to 52 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
- Oct 13, 2026 Score Change Bulawayo risk score moved from 48 to 47 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
- Oct 11, 2026 Score Change Hwange risk score moved from 51 to 50 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
City Risk Files in Zimbabwe
Showing 30 destination files with city-specific safety data in Zimbabwe, ranked by demand and population.
Harare
Tier BHarare
Karoi
Tier BMashonaland West
Shamva
Tier BMashonaland Central
Ruwa
Tier BMashonaland East
Norton
Tier BMashonaland West
Sakubva
Tier BManicaland
Redcliff
Tier BMidlands
Victoria Falls
Tier BMatabeleland North
Kezi
Tier BMatabeleland South
Bulawayo
Tier BBulawayo
Chegutu
Tier BMashonaland West
Beitbridge
Tier BMatabeleland South
Mukumbura
Tier BMashonaland Central
Hwange
Tier BMatabeleland North
Mutoko
Tier BMashonaland East
Nkayi
Tier BMatabeleland North
Bindura
Tier BMashonaland Central
Mhangura
Tier BMashonaland West
Kariba
Tier BMashonaland West
Mazoe
Tier BMashonaland Central
Lupane
Tier BMatabeleland North
Chitungwiza
Tier BHarare
Mutare
Tier BManicaland
Kadoma
Tier BMashonaland West
Chinhoyi
Tier BMashonaland West
Zvishavane
Tier BMasvingo
Rusape
Tier BManicaland
Gweru
Tier BMidlands
Kwekwe
Tier BMidlands
Gwanda
Tier BMatabeleland South
All towns in Zimbabwe (9 additional local facts pages)
These localities carry verified regional geography, nearest hospitals, airports, and natural hazard records with the country baseline risk score.
Live conditions in Zimbabwe
Country-scoped real-time data — official advisory from the US State Department, disaster alerts from GDACS, health notices from the CDC, news from Google News. For city-specific weather and air quality, open any city page below.
Official travel advisory
Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution
Zimbabwe - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Read full advisory → · US Department of State
Track Zimbabwe’s advisory
Get one email if the US State Department travel-advisory level for Zimbabwe changes. No account, unsubscribe anytime.
Traveller notes from government advice
LGBT+ travellers
Sex between men and same-sex marriage are illegal in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean society remains conservative towards same-sex relations, especially between men. However, there is a small but active underground LGBT+ scene in Harare and prosecutions are rare. Be aware that showing affection in public could result in unwanted attention.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. You can also find more local information from the GALZ Association.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 Jul 2026. Full advice
Local laws and customs
Personal ID
Carry a copy of your passport’s photo page and your visa at all times. Leave your original passport somewhere safe. If you lose your UK passport, get a police report. You may need to show this to immigration to explain why you have no proof of entry when you depart.
Zimbabwean residents must carry their residence card.
Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
Airports in Zimbabwe have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
Money
Zimbabwe’s economy is unpredictable. Monetary policy can change at short notice.
Zimbabwe has a multi-currency system. You can use US dollars for most transactions. In April 2024, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) was introduced as a new currency…
Read the full UK government advice
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 Jul 2026. Full advice
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Zimbabwe’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Zimbabwe set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Zimbabwe, your passport must have:
an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive
3 blank pages, in case you need to enter Zimbabwe and exit through one of the neighbouring countries or if you need to leave at short notice
Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 Jul 2026. Official entry requirements
Disaster alerts
No active GDACS disaster alerts matched Zimbabwe as of the last successful refresh.
Health notices
Health Notices for this Destination
-
Level 1 - Global Dengue WATCH · 2026-10-02
Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Mar
-
Level 2 - Global Polio ALERT · 2026-09-23
Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nig
-
Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28
Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan
Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-10-15 19:24:31 UTC
Recent headlines
No recent national headlines were returned for Zimbabwe. This is not evidence that conditions are quiet; check local and official sources.
1991–2020 climate normals
Seasonal risk & best time to visit Zimbabwe
The most weather-stable two-month window for Zimbabwe is August–September, when typical daily temperatures run from about 9°C to 27°C and monthly rain averages 3 mm.
Seasonal planning flags include heavy rain season in January; cyclone season in November–April; monsoon in January. These are climate patterns, not forecasts.
Climate normals are planning context, not a short-range forecast. Source: Open-Meteo Climate API. Refreshed Sep 6, 2026.
Calculate risk for these travel dates Compare seasonal windows →
Emergency Numbers
| Police | 995 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 994 |
| Fire | 993 |
| General emergency | 999 |
Backfilled from the public international emergency-number registry. The GSM standard 112 (and 911 in the Americas) is redirected to local emergency services on mobile networks in most countries. Verify locally on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zimbabwe safe to visit?
Zimbabwe currently scores 53/100 on our composite travel risk index (elevated risk; lower is safer). Official advice can change quickly, so check it again shortly before you travel.
Is it safe to travel to Zimbabwe right now?
As of October 2026, Zimbabwe scores 53/100 on our composite travel risk index (elevated risk; lower is safer). The US State Department rates Zimbabwe Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The UK FCDO advisory is: No FCDO advice against travel. Always check official foreign-ministry advisories within 7 days of departure.
What is the current travel advisory for Zimbabwe?
Current official government advisories for Zimbabwe: The US rates it Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; the UK advises: No FCDO advice against travel; Canada advises: Exercise a high degree of caution.
What is the weather like in Zimbabwe through the year?
Check local forecasts and climate normals for specific travel months before booking your trip to Zimbabwe.
How bad is crime in Zimbabwe?
Our baseline crime score for Zimbabwe is 45/100 (moderate risk). Exercise standard precautions: keep valuables secure, avoid poorly lit areas after dark, and use official transportation.
When is the best time to visit Zimbabwe?
August–September is the most weather-stable two-month window in the stored 1991-2020 normals. The most weather-stable two-month window for Zimbabwe is August–September, when typical daily temperatures run from about 9°C to 27°C and monthly rain averages 3 mm.
What is the rainy, hurricane, or severe-weather season in Zimbabwe?
heavy rain season: January; cyclone season: November–April; monsoon: January.
Community Safety Sentiment
Have you visited Zimbabwe recently? What was your safety experience?
Vote to share your experience with travelers.
Popular country searches right now
Countries visitors are looking up most frequently this week.
Browse all destinations → · Compare two countries → · Popular city searches →
PAGE LAST UPDATED:
Disclaimer
Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.