Embassy of the United States

Important Information For Visitors

Travel Information

The U.S. Department of State's Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

• Country Specific Information
• Tips for Travelling Abroad
• Travel and Business Abroad
• Recent Warden Messages for Zimbabwe

Register Your Visit

Registration at the U.S. Embassy makes your presence and whereabouts known, in case it is necessary for a consular officer to contact you in an emergency.  During a disaster overseas, American consular officers can assist in evacuation were that to become necessary.  But we cannot assist you if we do not know where you are. 

You can register all your international travel on-line through the U.S. Department of State's travel registration website.   Additionally, you can notify the Embassy in Harare of your travel plans by sending an email  consularharare@state.gov or in person by visiting the Embassy during normal business hours.

Obtaining Cash and Using Credit Cards

Zimbabwe is a cash society and the use of credit cards is almost non-existent. Visitors need to plan for their debit and credit cards to be unusable.

Victory Falls: The major hotels in Victoria Falls, such as the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Hotel, Kingdom Hotel, Elephant Hills Hotel, and Lokuthula Lodge accept credit cards for hotel expenses only.  However, credit cards and debit cards can not be used to obtain cash.   Travelers to Zimbabwe are encouraged to pre-pay as many expenses as possible through their travel planners, and must bring cash for all recreational activities.  Recreational activities in Victoria Falls are usually managed by agencies independent of the hotels and the agencies do not have card facilities.

Small Bills: There is a shortage of small notes in Zimbabwe. Travelers are advised to bring small notes, especially for local transport and recreational activities other than food and lodging.  It is difficult to get change for big notes.

ATMs and Banks: Travelers to Zimbabwe will not have access to ATMs. Travelers who run out of cash in Victory Falls, and need to access ATMs, can cross the border into neighboring Zambia using a taxi.  Other travelers may take a day trip to Botswana and access ATMs which dispense the Botswana pula, which is acceptable currency in Victoria Falls. The arrangement to withdraw money from ATMs in neighboring countries is costly, and involves transportation and visa costs, which approximate $50.

Western Union: One option to obtain cash in Zimbabwe is through Western Union, and the procedures are relatively simple. Recipients in Zimbabwe must have the following information in order to receive money:

Name of the Sender
City from which the money was sent
Amount of money sent
Password that the sender used
Reference number (not a mist, but it helps)