Zimbabwe

The name of the country of Zimbabwe is derived from the phrase "Zimba Ramabwe", which in the language of Shona means "Big house of stone" and is usually used to refer to the royal residence Great Zimbabwe.

The Great Zimbabwe is one of the most prominent monuments of the ancient culture of the local Shona tribe.
Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) can be called a country of contrasts and surprising diversity. About 13% of Zimbabwe’s territory is allocated to national reserves. African nature in this country is still intact and pristine in many parts of the world. The country is bordered by Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and has no access to the ocean. Perhaps the main attraction of Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls, discovered in 1855 by Dr. David Livingstone, a researcher and naturalist of Africa.

Victoria Falls is recognized as one of the 7 wonders of the world and is the tallest of the largest waterfalls in the world in terms of the height of a water fall (over 100 meters). Just 28 km from Mashvingo (one of the oldest cities in Zimbabwe) are Zimbabwe Ruins - the largest in southern Africa an ancient city, built in the period 13-15 centuries BC.

Territory: 390 757 square meters. km

Capital: Harare: (formerly Sallsbury)

Major cities: Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kitwe, Mutare, Victoria Falls, Kariba

Languages: Official languages ​​are English, Shona and Ndabele. Other languages ​​- Kalanga, Tonga, Ndau (English is mainly used)

Population: 12.5 million people

Monetary unit: Since 2009, the American dollar has been used. Since 2017 the new local currency Bond was introduced. It is devalues all the time.

The main gross domestic product: Mining: gold, platinum, polymetals, Agriculture: mainly tobacco growing and meat products, tourism

Exports: Tobacco, gold, platinum.

Climate: Tropical, summer: from October to March with the average temperatures in January 25 - 33 ° C, winter: from May to August with  the average temperature in July 19-25 ° C

Time Zone: Central African Time, GMT + 2 hours

Visa: To enter Zimbabwe a visa is required, which for citizens of many countries can obtain directly at the port of entry to Zimbabwe. The cost of a single visa is $30 and a multi-entry visa is $45. Also from 2016 you can request Kaza Visa, which costs $50 and will give you the multiple entry to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
If you enter Zimbabwe from Zambia across the bridge over the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, then keep in mind that the border post is open from 6:00 to 20:00.

Credit Cards: VISA, MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS cards are accepted everywhere in all hotels and major stores.

Foreign Exchange: Free circulation of foreign currency in the country. In hotels and shops are accepted dollars, euros, pounds sterling and South African rand.

Tips: In Zimbabwe it is customary to pay tips. In a restaurant: about 10% of the total bill (including drinks). Porter services: around $0.5 to $1 per piece of luggage. Driver Guide: 2-3 $ per person per day for work.

Voltage: 230-240 volts with a triple (English type) socket. All hotels have European sockets and adapters.

Drinking water: Water from the tap in the main cities and reserves is clean and safe to drink. In small towns, we recommend using bottled water.

Car rental: In Zimbabwe left-hand traffic. Speed ​​limit within the city - 60 km per hour, on the highway - 100 km per hour. You must have an international driver's license and a credit card to rent a car. Car rental locations only in major cities and airports.