Rules for overlanding in Zimbabwe

An International Driving Permit is required, on either the 1949 Geneva or the 1968 Vienna Convention model.

Short-term cover has to be bought at the border. The ministry also advises an international policy that covers costs after a road accident or injury.

A Carnet de Passages en Douane is required.

Traffic drives on the left.

The maximum blood alcohol level for a driver is 0.08%. Police require a breath test or a blood sample after an offence, or whenever there is good reason to suspect you have been drinking.

Helmets are compulsory for everyone on a motorcycle and seatbelts are compulsory in the front seats. Children under 10 must sit in the back, and may only sit in front if there are no rear seats and an age-appropriate restraint is fitted.

A warning triangle is compulsory for vehicles over 2.3 t, and the ministry notes a double-triangle requirement in the emergency kit. Tyres must not show the inner casing. Daytime running lights are optional for motorcycles.

The ministry says not to drive after dark: there is no street lighting, signage is poor or absent, road surfaces are often terrible, many drivers use full beams and other vehicles often run without lights or reflectors. Robberies of motorists are also more frequent at night, cities included. Even in the evening, watch for pedestrians walking along the edge of unlit roads and for animals crossing suddenly on rural roads.

Drive with great care: there are many road accidents, in particular on roads outside towns. Intercity buses, luxury ones excepted, are risky because of overcrowding and inadequate maintenance.

Fuel is normally available at service stations throughout the country, although supply difficulties may occasionally occur.

The liquidity crisis makes withdrawing cash at bank counters and ATMs practically impossible, so arrive with enough US dollars in cash and never let it show; there is no limit on bringing currency in. Foreign cards are accepted in principle but occasionally fail on local networks or are refused by small traders and restaurants. The ZiG, introduced on 8 April 2024, can only be used inside Zimbabwe, and taking out more than 2,000 US dollars is prohibited.

Take out accident insurance covering medical evacuation before you travel. An air evacuation and emergency admission in neighbouring South Africa runs to around 100,000 US dollars, payable in advance.

Electricity shortages bring daily power cuts of up to 12 hours, the municipal water network is on the verge of collapse with a risk of epidemics, and prices of goods and services have risen exponentially: together this risks paralysing the country.

Drug use is forbidden and possession is illegal and prosecuted. Bringing in pornographic material is also prohibited, even for personal use, and anyone found with it faces criminal proceedings.

The passport must be valid for at least 6 months on entry, and a visa is required through the new e-visa procedure: travellers to Zimbabwe must fill in the arrival forms online before departure (paper forms can no longer be used). The forms can also be completed at the immigration desks on arrival, but it is advisable to do it in advance at evisa.gov.zw/app/index.html.

ZIMRA states that a visitor bringing a foreign-registered private vehicle into Zimbabwe must obtain a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) on entry. Holders of a Triptyque or a Carnet do not need to process a TIP, but must still procure third-party insurance, carbon tax and road access fees. (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) — Temporary Importation for Visitors' Vehicles)

ZIMRA, on its page on temporary importation for visitors' vehicles, lists third-party insurance among the payments that are payable as a precondition for entry into Zimbabwe; the payments are collected by ZIMRA officials at offices at the borders. It also says that holders of a Triptyque or a Carnet will be required to procure third-party insurance. (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) — Temporary Importation for Visitors' Vehicles)

ZIMRA states that importing a drone into Zimbabwe by air, road or post requires a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ). It says one needs to visit CAAZ for registration and clearance, with the make, model and serial number of the drone, and that drones have to be properly declared and entered for clearance by Customs at the point of entry. The ZIMRA page does not single out tourists. (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) — Importation of Drones)