Welcome2Africa

WELCOME 2 AFRICA-ZIMBABWE INFO!

Official name: Republic of Zimbabwe
Area: 390,580 sq km
Capital: Harare
Population: 13 million, Shona (76%), Ndebele (18%), Batonka (2%), Shangaan (1%), Venda (1%), European, Asian
Language: English, Shona
Religion: Christian, Mwari
Government: Parliamentary democracy
President: Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Holidays:
January 1st: New Year's Day
April 18th: Independance Day
May 1st: Workers' Day
May 25th: Africa Day
August 11th: Heroes' Day
August 12th: Defence Forces Day
December 22nd: Unity Day
December 25th: Christmas Day

Climate:
Although located in the tropics, temperate conditions prevail all year, as the climate is moderated by altitude and the inland position of the country. The hot and dry season is from September to October, and the rainy season from November to March. The best months to visit are April to May and August to September. Night-time temperatures can fall below freezing.

Currency:
In Zimbabwe the local currency is called Zimbabwe Dollar. The exchange rate was as of the 1st of March 2004: Z$ 1000 = USD 1,24 and Z$ 1000 = EUR 1. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and major hotels at the official exchange rate. American Express, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, whilst MasterCard has more limited use. Some ATMs accept credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Banks and major hotels will exchange these. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Note that the exchange rate varies a lot from day to day due to a high rate of inflation.

Tips:
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual both at restaurants and to tourguides etc.

Time difference:
GMT/UTC +2 hours. In Zimbabwe you do not go from wintertime to summertime.

Local specialities:
Zimbabwe is a cosmopolitan society and enjoys both local and international cuisine. Eating out is popular and comparatively cheap. A traditional dish is sadza (a stiff maize meal) eaten with meat and/or gravy and a relish. Table service is the norm in restaurants. Another speciality is the mopane worm eaten by locals in both raw and cooked.
Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage. Imported wines, spirits and liqueurs are available in hotels. Traditional maize beer, whawha, is made in large quantities on special occasions. Public bars are almost always part of a hotel. Licensing hours in Zimbabwe are 1030-1500 and 1630-2300. Major hotels have 24-hour bars and room service.

Shopping:
A sales tax of 10 to 22 per cent is added to all purchases, the higher rate being on luxury items, except those which are to be exported. Special purchases are copper, wooden and soapstone carvings, gameskin and leather products, pottery and basketwork. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300.