Car Hire Zimbabwe

Top locations to hire a car in Zimbabwe

• Bulawayo Airport car hire
• Harare Airport car hire
• Victoria Falls Airport car hire

Mini Guide to Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe has suffered a constant decline since the 1980s following the election of Robert Mugabe as president. The country’s infrastructure has been severely damaged or neglected. The economic state of the country is dire with massive unemployment, hyperinflation and the destruction of the economic structure of the country. Once the breadbasket of Africa, criminal mismanagement of land together with natural disasters, such as extensive droughts have decimated food production so much that many people face starvation. Against this background, the traveller needs to know that unaccompanied travel can be dangerous and you are advised to travel in parties and take advise on where you plan to travel.

Getting to Zimbabwe?
The only truly international airport is Harare and only Air Zimbabwe fly there direct from the UK. British Airways now fly to South Africa and connect to Harare or Victoria Falls Airport. It’s often a better – and cheaper, option to fly to Johannesburg and connect in to Zimbabwe.

See and do in Zimbabwe?
If you intend to see the many wonderful sights of the country it is advisable to travel as part of a group or with an experienced guide to minimise any danger to your party. The Victoria Falls are some of the world’s most spectacular, located in the west of Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River. The falls are twice as tall as Niagara and many times wider but with a lower rate of flow. The area around the falls is considered safe and there are many hotels there too. Another interesting place, but with a greater risk, is the ancient and ruined stone city of Greater Zimbabwe in the centre of the country. Dating from the 15th century, it was the centre of a large civilisation that extended into Mozambique. Lake Kariba is also a popular destination with international as well as Zimbabwean tourists. The lake is beautiful, especially at its eastern end, and has plenty of activities to do.

What Will I eat in Zimbabwe?
Unlike many of the locals, if you’re staying at one of the big hotels you’d have no idea that food is in very short supply. Sadly, the hotels are likely to serve up European fare and it will be almost impossible to get to try traditional Zimbabwean food.

Zimbabwe Factfile

• Zimbabwe is home to the majestic Victoria Falls
• It was called Rhodesia, until independence and was named after the adventurer, Cecil Rhodes
• Through corruption and mismanagement it’s one of the Africa’s poorest countries
• At 42 years, the life expectancy for Zimbabwe’s males is among the lowest in the world
• The idea for the Boy Scout movement was developed in Zimbabwe by its founder Lord Baden-Powell
• If you are renting a car in Zimbabwe for the first time, you'll be pleased to see familiar rental agents like Budget, Europcar and Keddy are located here

Is it safe to hire a car and drive in Zimbabwe?

There are certain precautions your should take when renting a car and self-driving in Zimbabwe but you shouldn't be put off. Hiring a car is a great way to get around Zimbabwe at your own pace and by private car without a driver.

However, the road conditions, particularly out of the towns and cities can be poor with large pot holes and poor surfaces in places. We recommend considering a 4x4 rental or SUV in Zimbabwe to minimise the risk of damage to the rental car from poor road conditions. A car hire excess insurance policy is also worth considering should you be unfortunate enough to damage the car.

Car crime can also be an issue and rental cars are not immune. We advise you to take advantage of the air conditioning and keep the windows up and doors locked. Never leave valuables in the car or on display and consider where you park your rental car.