Published: June 9, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Zimbabwe Travel Advisory and Zimbabwe Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Harare:
2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill, Harare.
Tel: +263-867-701-1000
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 0800-1700; Friday: 0800-1230.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Zimbabwe Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Harareas being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Zimbabwe, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Crime of opportunity is prevalent in Zimbabwe, and especially in the larger cities such as Harare and Bulawayo. Pickpocketing and theft are common, both pedestrians and vehicles alike, but violence is usually not the preferred tactic. Criminals often target foreigners and residents who are perceived to be affluent. Violent crime has been trending upwards, including armed robberies committed by members of local security forces.
Harare especially suffers from many home break-ins and theft of resalable valuables. Targeted home invasions of foreigners (and locals) who are thought to have substantial cash in their residences is on the increase. Though Harare has experienced a handful of armed break-ins at businesses and schools and high-profile home invasions in the past year, audible alarm systems and the presence of an alert guard usually deter intruders. Thieves break into vehicles when valuables are visible. Organized and violent crime are not common in Harare. Police lack the capacity to solve most crimes.
The downtown areas of Harare and Bulawayo see higher rates of crime than other parts of each respective city and the country as a whole. As such, U.S. Embassy personnel are restricted from the Central Business District after dark due to crime. Criminals commonly operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas of major cities and tourist areas such as Victoria Falls. Pay particular attention to surroundings at night. In the past, mining towns in southern Zimbabwe have been epicenters for demonstrations and violence. Take caution when traveling in the area.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Zimbabwe.
Kidnapping is not a common crime in Zimbabwe with only a few isolated incidents in 2024. When kidnappings do occur, they are for the purposes of robbery. In 2020, criminals picked up people hitchhiking to work, robbed them of all their money and valuables, and dropped them off at separate location, but this trend has not continued. Overall, the threat of kidnapping in Zimbabwe is very low.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Harare as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Zimbabwe.
There are no large international terrorist groups claiming a presence in Zimbabwe, and there were no terrorist incidents in Zimbabwe in 2024. While the Government of Zimbabwe attempts to exercise strong control within its borders and over its population, there are very few acts of extremism in the country. Due to the lack of budget, equipment, and technical capability of the authorities, it is possible that a growing number of nefarious individuals could transit through or reside in Zimbabwe. There are also multiple crossing points and a lack of overhead monitoring. The Islamic State in Mozambique is active across the border in the northern areas of Mozambique.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Harare as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Zimbabwe, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
There is considerable risk of political violence in Harare, particularly considering Zimbabwe’s deteriorating economic conditions. The Zimbabwean government continues to restrict large gatherings of people and will generally issue permits for demonstrations only if the demonstration is clearly in favor of the government or a cause that the government supports. Peaceful demonstrations have repeatedly been violently dispersed by the police and/or military. If the government supports a demonstration, a considerable number of riot police typically accompany the demonstrators.
Zimbabwe held national elections in August 2023 where President Mnangagwa was reelected for a second term in a slim margin. The election space was marred by reports of voter intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detention of voting monitors, and partial internet disruptions. NGOs reported the government threatened opposition party leaders and other community leaders as part of a wider crackdown on protests in the post-election space. While the next presidential election is scheduled for 2028, the ruling party has released a proposal to extend Mnangagwa's term until 2030. Although he has publicly rejected the idea of extending his second term by two years, opposition parties remain concerned about the potential for changes to the electoral timeline.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the country’s central bank, continues to attempt to tackle the economic crisis, including a shortage of foreign exchange reserves, shortages of imported goods, and rising prices, by allowing its currency to depreciate. Due to a shortage of hard currency, it is not currently possible to withdraw cash with an international bank card, either at the airport in the capital or in popular tourist areas such as Victoria Falls. Bring sufficient funds in USD for your entire stay in the country.
Carefully review the U.S. sanctions program currently in place prior to engaging in the purchase/sale or transfer of money and other assets with a Zimbabwean citizen or entity. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for up-to-date sanctions information.
Protests & Demonstrations
Protests and demonstrations rarely occur across Zimbabwe. Those that take place are often demonstrations related to social and economic issues. Most protests occur in major metropolitan areas such as Harare and are in response to local issues. Security forces have used both less-than-lethal methods such as tear gas as well as lethal force to disperse gatherings. Protests remained rare in 2024 due to government crackdowns and intimidation of organizers.
Authorities generally only allow pro-government demonstrations and rallies to occur, and meet any opposition rally or demonstration critical to government policies with swift and violent, heavy-handed response from security forces to disrupt and disperse. Avoid all demonstrations, which are prime spots for violent clashes.
In March, attempts to organize anti-government protests made by a rival faction within the ruling ZANU-PF party largely failed. Despite the low turnout, Zimbabwean police arrested 95 people on charges of promoting public violence for participating in demonstrations calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to leave office.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There is anti-U.S., and to a certain extent, anti-Western sentiment in Zimbabwe, especially from the Government of Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe has made little progress implementing promised political and economic reforms to strengthen democracy and improve the investment climate. As Zimbabwe’s economic crisis has worsened, the government has increasingly blamed the crisis on U.S. and other Western nations’ economic sanctions and organized poorly-attended rallies nationwide calling for the removal of sanctions.
Law Enforcement
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Zimbabwe for Econet mobile phone subscribers is 112 and for Net One subscribers it is 114. Zimbabwe does not have a functional Police call center.
Harare Central Police Station (Inez Terrace): +263-(0) 242-777 777 or +263-(0) 242-748 836
Remand Prison (along Enterprise Road): +263-(0) 242 793 894
Police General Headquarters (when outside Harare): +26324270171-6
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) maintain internal security. However, they are underfunded and poorly trained. The level of competence between officers varies greatly. The ZRP lack basic skills to investigate crime and locate subjects, except for the most high-profile cases. The recent devaluation of the Zimbabwe currency has also resulted in an increased number of reports of ZRP officers requesting bribes or engaging in criminal activity to supplement a rapidly diminishing official salary.
ZRP and the Immigration Department, both under the Home Affairs Ministry, are primarily responsible for migration and border enforcement. Although police are officially under the authority of the Home Affairs Ministry, the Office of the President directs some police roles and missions in response to civil unrest.
The military is responsible for external security, but also has some domestic security responsibilities. The Zimbabwe National Army and Air Force constitute the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, and report to the defense minister. The Central Intelligence Organization, under the Office of the President, engages in internal and external security matters. Civilian authorities at times do not maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have reportedly committed numerous abuses.
Police Response
Officers may find it difficult to respond to a call for mobile assistance. Often, a complainant must go to the nearest police station and pick up an officer to assist. For vehicle accidents, police response may take an extended period.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Zimbabwe, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Zimbabwe.
The law provides criminal penalties for conviction of corruption; however, the government does not implement the law effectively or impartially. Despite government pronouncements, there are numerous reports of government corruption during the year. Experts describe the problem as “catch and release,” where the government arrests some corrupt officials, often those out of favor, without ever convicting them.
Corruption in both the public and private sectors persists and is highly institutionalized. The country continues to experience petty and grand corruption alike, defined respectively by Transparency International Zimbabwe as an “everyday abuse of entrusted power by low- to mid-level public officials” such as by police and local officials and “an abuse of high-level power by political elites.”
Cybersecurity
Using the internet and internet services in Zimbabwe comes with the assurance that you can be monitored by the Government of Zimbabwe at any time. Criminal elements aren't known to have the ability or intent to conduct cyberattacks or compromise cyber information. However, given the ZRP's poor capabilities, becoming a victim of cybercrime in Zimbabwe, from within or outside Zimbabwe, would leave you with no recourse to identify or prosecute the attackers.
Import/Export Restrictions
Tourists wishing to hunt in Zimbabwe must be accompanied by a licensed operator. Request and check the authenticity of their license by contacting the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ). Hunters should confirm that they are not hunting on illegally seized land or in a nature conservancy, as doing so may subject you to arrest, lawsuits, fines, seizure of possessions, and imprisonment. Contact the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C. to determine appropriate permits for importing weapons into the country.
The use of satellite phones is generally permitted with a license from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ). Individuals/organizations need to obtain specific authorization to operate satellite phones within the country. To get the license the applicant may need to show that there is limited or unreliable cellular coverage in areas they wish to work in. Licensing requirements are established through Statutory Instrument 12 of 2021. [CAP. 12:05], Postal and Telecommunications (Licensing, Registration and Certification) Regulations, 2021.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
