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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Shona Stone Sculpture
Zimbabwe is world-famous for Shona stone sculpture carved from verdite, serpentine, and springstone. These abstract human and animal forms represent a living art tradition unique to Zimbabwe.
Price: $30-500+
Where: National Gallery gift shop, Mbare Musika market, roadside galleries
Tonga/Ndebele Woven Baskets
Intricately woven baskets in traditional geometric patterns, crafted by Tonga and Ndebele women using palm leaves. Each design carries cultural significance.
Price: $10-60
Where: Victoria Falls Craft Village, Binga, roadside stalls
Carved Wooden Masks and Animals
Hand-carved wooden masks, elephants, giraffes, and traditional figures crafted from indigenous woods like teak and ebony. Popular at Victoria Falls curio stalls.
Price: $5-80
Where: Victoria Falls Curio Market, Harare Avenues Craft Market
Chitenge Fabric
Vibrant African printed cotton fabric used for clothing, wraps, and home furnishings. Buy by the meter or as ready-made clothing. Each print tells a story.
Price: $3-15 per meter
Where: Mbare Musika market, Harare city center fabric shops
Nyami Nyami River God Pendants
Traditional Tonga river spirit carvings made from bone, wood, or metal. The Nyami Nyami symbol is unique to Zimbabwe and deeply meaningful to Tonga culture.
Price: $5-30
Where: Kariba curio shops, Victoria Falls craft markets
Batik Wall Hangings
Wax-resist dyed fabric artworks depicting African wildlife, landscapes, and village scenes. Lightweight and easy to pack, these make striking home decorations.
Price: $15-80
Where: Avenues Craft Market Harare, Sam Levy's Village
Hand-Painted Pottery
Traditional and contemporary ceramics decorated with African motifs. Items include bowls, vases, and decorative pieces from local cooperatives.
Price: $8-50
Where: Doon Estate market, Borrowdale craft shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mbare Musika
Zimbabwe's largest and most vibrant market where locals buy fresh produce, fabric, second-hand clothing, and crafts. A genuine experience of everyday Harare life with hundreds of vendors.
Where: Mbare, Harare (5km south of city center)
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Victoria Falls Curio Market
Open-air craft market with dozens of stalls selling stone sculptures, wooden carvings, baskets, and souvenirs. The most accessible craft market in Zimbabwe for tourists.
Where: Adam Stander Drive, Victoria Falls town
Hours: 8AM-5PM daily
Avenues Craft Market
Informal craft market along the tree-lined Avenues featuring paintings, carvings, textiles, and jewellery from local artisans. Good selection and relaxed atmosphere for browsing.
Where: Harare Avenues, central Harare
Hours: 8AM-6PM Mon-Sat
Doon Estate Farmers Market
Popular weekend market selling fresh organic produce, artisan foods, handmade crafts, and local plants. Popular with Harare's expat and middle-class community.
Where: Doon Estate, Harare
Hours: 8AM-1PM Saturdays
Bulawayo City Market
Historic market in Zimbabwe's second city offering fresh produce, traditional medicinal herbs, crafts, and household goods. Less touristy than Victoria Falls markets.
Where: City Hall precinct, Bulawayo
Hours: 7AM-5PM Mon-Sat
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Sam Levy's Village
Harare's most popular upscale shopping destination in Borrowdale, featuring fashion boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries. Safe, well-maintained, and pleasant for browsing.
Best for: fashion, dining, gifts, expat brands
Harare City Center
The original commercial heart of Harare with department stores, pharmacies, banks, fabric shops, and street vendors. Best for essentials and local shopping experience.
Best for: fabric, clothing, pharmacies, everyday goods
Livingstone Way, Victoria Falls
The main tourist street in Victoria Falls town lined with curio shops, galleries, tour operators, and restaurants. Everything the tourist needs within walking distance.
Best for: curios, souvenirs, tour bookings, safari wear
Avondale Shopping Centre
Mid-range suburban shopping centre in Harare with supermarkets, clothing stores, restaurants, and a cinema. Popular with middle-class Harare residents.
Best for: supermarket, everyday shopping, casual dining
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Sam Levy's Village
Harare's premier shopping destination in Borrowdale with over 100 stores including fashion boutiques, beauty salons, restaurants, and specialty food shops. The most pleasant shopping environment in Zimbabwe.
Hours: 9AM-6PM Mon-Sat, 9AM-4PM Sun
Westgate Shopping Centre
Well-established mall in western Harare featuring supermarkets, clothing stores, electronics shops, banks, and a food court. One of Harare's most complete retail destinations.
Hours: 9AM-6PM Mon-Sat, 9AM-3PM Sun
Eastgate Centre
Central Harare's main commercial building housing shops, offices, and services on multiple levels. Features banks, clothing retailers, and a food court popular with city workers.
Hours: 8AM-6PM Mon-Fri, 8AM-4PM Sat
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected and welcomed at craft markets and roadside stalls — start at 40-50% of the asking price and negotiate from there
Be friendly and patient — aggressive bargaining is considered rude; humour and warmth get better results
Bundle items to get better overall prices — buying three pieces together often yields a 20-30% discount
Fixed prices apply in malls, supermarkets, and established restaurants — only bargain at informal markets
If you walk away, vendors often call you back with a better price
USD cash is king — vendors may offer discounts for USD over mobile money payments
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Export of uncut precious stones is restricted. Ivory and products made from CITES-listed species are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated. Cultural artefacts and ancient stone carvings may require export permits.
Tax Refund: Zimbabwe does not currently operate a tourist VAT refund scheme.
Duty Free: Returning residents: $200 duty-free allowance. Visitors may bring 2L of wine, 1L spirits, 400 cigarettes. Check customs declaration requirements on arrival.
Shipping: International shipping available via DHL and courier services from Harare and Victoria Falls; allow 2-4 weeks and declare all goods. Stone sculptures over 10kg may require specialist shipping.