Zimbabwe offers extraordinary natural wonders including Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, and Hwange National Park with its massive elephant population. Experience ancient ruins at Great Zimbabwe, vibrant cities, and some of Africa's best safari experiences.
Local currency: US Dollar (USD) is the primary currency.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Zimbabwe.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12-18/dorm bed
- Budget
- $40-70/private room
- Midrange
- $100-180/hotel
- Luxury
- $280-800+/night at lodges
Food
- Street
- $2-4 (sadza and stew, roasted maize, boerewors roll)
- Local
- $6-12 (sit-down local restaurant)
- Midrange
- $15-30 (tourist restaurant main course)
- Fine
- $60-120+/person (lodge dining, fine dining)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.50-1 (kombi/city bus)
- Taxi
- $5-15 (city ride)
- Airport
- $15-35 (Harare); $25-35 (Victoria Falls)
- Daytrip
- $30-80 (guided day trip from Victoria Falls)
Activities
- Museum
- $5-10
- National Park
- $15-30 (entry fee per day)
- Tour
- $40-120 (guided activity)
- Excursion
- $130-180 (day trip Chobe or Great Zimbabwe)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Zimbabwe costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$350-560/week
Midrange traveller
$840-1400/week
Luxury traveller
$2500-8000+/week (safari lodges)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Stay in Victoria Falls backpacker lodges ($12-20/dorm) — they're social, well-run, and many include activity booking services
Eat sadza at local 'eating houses' or butcheries for $3-5 per meal rather than tourist restaurants ($15-25)
Combine activities with the same operator for package discounts — rafting + bungee or helicopter + game drive often saves 15-25%
Travel between cities on overnight buses (Harare-Victoria Falls $35-45) saving accommodation costs
Visit parks directly rather than on tours — entry fees are much lower than guided tour packages
USD cash gets better rates than card payments at many informal and semi-formal vendors
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Harare Botanical Gardens
Beautiful 68-hectare gardens in central Harare with indigenous trees and peaceful walking paths. Admission is $3 — effectively free for the experience offered.
Victoria Falls Bridge Viewing
Walk out onto the historic 1905 Victoria Falls Bridge to view the gorge and falls spray for free — bring your passport for the border crossing.
Domboshawa Rocks Hike
Granite dome 30km north of Harare with San rock art and panoramic views. $5 entry is very low for an excellent half-day excursion.
Matobo Hills Walking
Many hiking paths and viewpoints within Matobo National Park accessible for the park entry fee ($15). World's View has one of Zimbabwe's best panoramas.
Harare City Center Architecture Walk
Self-guided walk through Harare's colonial and modernist architecture including the Parliament building, National Gallery exterior, and Africa Unity Square is completely free.
Mbare Musika Market Experience
Zimbabwe's largest market is an extraordinary sensory experience — walking through requires no entry fee and gives an authentic window into Harare daily life.
Sunset at Lake Chivero
The scenic drive to Lake Chivero (32km from Harare) and sunset views over the dam cost only the $10 park entry fee. Often elephants and hippos visible from the shore.
Mukuvisi Woodlands Bird Walk
Urban nature reserve in Harare with self-guided bird watching walks. $5 entry for access to indigenous woodland within the city limits.