Zimbabwe Cresta Lodge Harare 3-star hotel Harare

Featuring a year-round outdoor pool and a fitness centre, Cresta Lodge Harare offers accommodation in Harare. This property offers free WiFi and free private parking on site. Each room at Cresta Lodge Harare is air-conditioned and equipped with a kettle, minibar and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The balcony offers garden views, and the bathroom includes free toiletries and has a hairdryer. Cresta Lodge Harare guests can enjoy meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. The property can arrange packed lunches and special diet menus on request. The property has a 24-hour front desk and can assist with organising car hire and shuttle services at a surcharge. There is a shared TV/lounge area and luggage storage facilities. Cresta Lodge Harare is within 15 km of Harare International Airport and a 10-minute drive from Chapman Golf Club. Solo travellers particularly like the location — they rated it 8 for a one-person stay. This property is also rated for the best value in Harare! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city. We speak your language! Victoria Falls Victoria Falls & Zambezi National Park Harare Wildlife & Epworth Balancing Rocks Bulawayo Matobo National Park & Khami ruins Matobo National Park Matobo Hills & Nswatugi Cave rock art Lake Kariba Lakes, fishing, reservoir, crocodiles, and camping Hwange National Park Mandavu Dam & Nyamandhlovu Pan wildlife Nyanga Chalets, waterfalls, fishing, golf, and ruins Mana Pools National Park Long Pool & Chitake Spring wildlife Masvingo Ruins, backpacking, parks, game reserves, and chalets Lake Mutirikwe Lakes, parks, game reserves, chalets, and fishing Mutare Museums, nature reserves, golf, botanical gardens, and game reserves Matusadona National Park Camping, african elephant, rhinoceros, safari, and safari lodge Lake Chivero Recreational Park Park, camping, game reserve, chalet, and fishing Gonarezhou National Park Camping, game reserve, park, elephant, and safari lodge Kariba, Zimbabwe Lake Kariba & Charara Safari Area Hwange Safari lodges, safaris, elephants, parks, and nature reserves Tuli, Zimbabwe Safari lodges, game reserves, cycling, rivers, and safaris Masvingo Province Waterfalls, lakes, and parks Nyanga National Park Chalet, waterfall, camping, park, and safari Gweru Pangolin, museums, safari lodges, safaris, and camping Chiredzi Safari lodges and safaris Chinhoyi Country clubs, caves, safaris, and camping Beitbridge Camping Chiredzi District Safari lodges, safaris, and rivers Lake Chivero Fishing, safari, game reserve, lake, and chalet Kwekwe Safari lodges, safaris, fishing, parks, and honeymoon Marondera Safari lodges, safaris, and parks Kadoma Rusape Game reserves, safari lodges, and safaris Plumtree Chitungwiza Zvishavane Mining Ruwa Mazowe District Yacht clubs and sailing Chegutu Bindura Karoi Chipinge Savé Valley Conservancy Gwanda Epworth, Zimbabwe Great Zimbabwe National Monument Hilltop city ruins of great Bantu city Bindura District Somerby Shamva District Zaka District Bunga Forest Botanical Reserve Guruve District Ads Tourism in Zimbabwe From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The logo of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority showing the Victoria Falls and the Zimbabwe Bird found at Great Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, the end of the upper Zambezi and beginning of the middle Zambezi Zimbabwe boasts several tourist attractions, located in the North West of the country. Before the economic changes, much of the tourism for these locations came to the Zimbabwean side but now Zambia benefits from the tourism. The Victoria Falls National Park is also a tourist attraction in this area and is one of the eight main National Parks in Zimbabwe,[1] largest of which is Hwange National Park. The Eastern Highlands are a series of mountainous areas near the border with Mozambique. The highest peak in Zimbabwe, Mount Nyangani at 2593 metres is located here as well as the Bvumba Mountains and the Nyanga National Park. World's View is in these mountains and it is from here that places as far away as 60–70 km are visible and, on clear days, the town of Rusape can be seen. Great Zimbabwe as featured on the defunct $50 note Zimbabwe is distinctive in Africa for its large number of medieval era city ruins built in a unique dry stone style. Possibly the most famous of these are the Great Zimbabwe ruins in Masvingo which survive from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe era. Other ruins include Khami Ruins, Zimbabwe, Dhlo-Dhlo and Naletale. The Matobo Hills are an area of granite kopjes and wooded valleys commencing some 35 kilometres south of Bulawayo, southern Zimbabwe. The Hills were formed over 2000 million years ago with granite being forced to the surface, this has eroded to produce smooth "whaleback dwalas" and broken kopjes, strewn with boulders and interspersed with thickets of vegetation. Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele nation, gave the area its name, meaning 'Bald Heads'. They have become famous and a tourist attraction because Cecil John Rhodes famous for his vision that led to foundation of Rhodesia, and other early white pioneers like Leander Starr Jameson, Major Allan Wilson, and most of the members of the Shangani Patrol are buried in these hills at another site named World's View.[2] Hwange National Park and Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are some of the best National Parks and safari destinations in the region. The tourism sector in Zimbabwe has been on the rise for past 2 years. Arrivals by country Most visitors arriving to Zimbabwe on short term basis in 2014 were from the following countries of nationality:[3] Rank Country Number 1 South Africa 607,616 2 Malawi 321,874 3 Zambia 285,727 4 Mozambique 169,829 5 Botswana 71,384 6 United States 57,410 7 UK and Ireland 38,606 8 Democratic Republic of the Congo DR Congo 28,368 9 Tanzania 26, 334 10 Germany 24,572 ReferencesZimbabwe is a country in Southern Africa. It is landlocked and is surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the Southwest, Zambia to the Northwest, and Mozambique to the east and north. The Zambezi river forms the natural boundary with Zambia and when in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water. The Victoria Falls are a major tourist attraction. Once known as the Breadbasket of Africa, since 2000, Zimbabwe has undergone an economic collapse and the rule of law has gradually but largely broken down, although there have been a few signs of improvement since the theoretical formation of a unity Government in 2009 and the Zimbabwean economy has been on the rebound. GDP grew by more than 5% in the year 2010 and 2011, from a very low base. Growth is forecast to increase, buoyed by high mineral prices and the improving agriculture sector. Understand Although the economy is slowly improving, mass unemployment is still rife. The Victoria Falls are Zimbabwe's most popular tourist destination and one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Zimbabwe is a fantastic place for tourism. Only 20 years ago, it was the richest country in Africa. Currently with the economy struggling, it is a good place to visit as resorts and hotels are much cheaper than normal and it is very beautiful. The Victoria Falls' mile-wide (2 km) curtain of water plunges deep into the Zambezi Gorge creating a cloud of mist that can be seen up to 20 miles (32 km) away. They can be seen on a short trip from Botswana or South Africa but in doing so travellers will be missing some fascinating areas. Highlights are the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the beautiful Lake Kariba and also the two biggest cities of Zimbabwe are worth a visit: Harare and Bulawayo. Last but not least, to the east are the so-called Eastern Highlands, fine walking and fishing country, so cool that at certain times of the year, the grass in the morning can be trimmed with frost. In the west is the other-worldly jumble of granite rocks that make up the Matopos National Park. Zimbabwe's largest wildlife sanctuary is Hwange National Park, situated on the western border with Botswana. Hwange is home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations and myriad other species. Other excellent game viewing areas are Matusadona, Mana Pools and Zambezi National Parks. History Stone cities were built in many locations in present-day Zimbabwe. The most impressive structures and the best known of these, Great Zimbabwe, were built in the 15th century, but people had been living on the site from about 400 AD. The population was overwhelmingly made up of Shona speakers until the 19th century when the Nguni tribe of the Ndebele settled in what is now Matabeleland (in 1839-40), and then in 1890, the territory came under the control of the British South Africa Company under charter from the British Government. The United Kingdom annexed Southern Rhodesia from the British South Africa Company in 1923, when the country got its own government and Prime Minister. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favoured whites in power. In 1965, the government unilaterally declared independence, but the UK did not recognize it and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority. UN sanctions and a guerilla struggle finally led to both free elections and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert Mugabe was the first leader of Zimbabwe and still clings on to power since 1987. He initially pursued a policy of reconciliation towards the white population but severity towards regions which had supported a competing guerilla group aided by North Korean military advisors. From 2000 onwards, Mugabe instituted a policy of extensive land redistribution on party political lines favouring his cronies and of "national service" camps. Climate Tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (Nov-Mar). Although there are recurring droughts, floods and severe storms are rare. There is a lot of rain. Terrain Mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east. Low veld in the south eastern corner. Elevation extremes : lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m Regions Map of Zimbabwe Matabeleland The western part of the country with Bulawayo, the second largest city, and the stunning Victoria Falls. Lake Kariba and the Lower Zambezi The eastern end of Lake Kariba is a popular vacation area for Zimbabweans. Many national parks, such as Mana Pools National Park, are situated on the shores of the Zambezi River and provide good opportunities for game viewing. Mashonaland The capital city, Harare, and surrounding area, including the northern part of the Midlands. Eastern Highlands The mountainous area of the country tucked up along the eastern border. The main city is Mutare. Southeastern Zimbabwe A mixed area with the southern part of the midlands in the north and the lowveld in the south. Nature is more of the attraction here, with many national parks and the Great Zimbabwe ruins. Cities Harare — Capital and the largest city in Zimbabwe. Binga — One of the outposts of Zimbabwe, with limited access roads. Bulawayo — The industrial and business capital of Zimbabwe. Gweru Kariba — On border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Marondera Masvingo — Boasts the Great Zimbabwe National Monument. Mutare Victoria Falls Other destinations Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination located in the western corner of the country. For specific information on getting in, sleeping, dining, activities, etc., see either Livingstone (located in Zambia) or Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Great Zimbabwe - the archaeological remains of a Southern African ancient city built of stone, located in present-day Zimbabwe which was once the centre of a vast empire known as the Munhumutapa Empire (also called Monomotapa Empire) covering the modern states of Zimbabwe (which took its name from this city) and Mozambique. The word 'Zimbabwe' means 'house of stone.' The Eastern Highlands include some of Zimbabwe's most beautiful views. The lush, cloud-hung mountains form the border with Mozambique. The regional capital is Mutare, and Chimanimani is a village popular with tourists and walkers. Kariba - Located on the northern border of Zimbabwe, formidable Lake Kariba is the result of a large damming project along the Zambezi River. Kariba is a popular tourist destination and affords visitors the opportunity to watch African wildlife in its almost natural environment. It is the biggest source of hydro-electric power for Zimbabwe. If you are travelling with friends or family consider hiring a houseboat for a few days to really experience everything the lake and the wildlife have to offer. Matobo (formerly Matopos) - Located south west of Bulawayo in Matabeleland, this area boasts exquisite rock formations, as if nature had been playing marbles. Rocks are found balancing in ways that defy logic, a situation created by the eroding winds blowing out the sand between. The rocks are home to the dassie, a small rodent-type animal known more formally as Rock Hyrax, the skins of which are used to make a blanket treasured amongst the local populace. Also present in great numbers are the brightly coloured lizards common to Zimbabwe. The area has two dams that become the scene of family picnics, and angling competitions on weekends. A game park is home to herds of sable antelope, an animal not seen further south. Mutoroshanga Ethel Mine Chinhoyi Caves Get in Visa requirements Category A (countries/territories whose nationals do not require visas):[5] For a stay of up to 6 months: Hong Kong SAR For a stay of up to 3 months: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Congo (DRC), Cyprus, Fiji, Grenada, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadies, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia Category B (countries whose nationals are granted visas at the port of entry on payment of the requisite visa fees): Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana (Gratis), Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau Island, Palestine (State of), Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, South Africa (Gratis), South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City and Virgin Islands Visa fees at the port of entry for Category B nationals are as follows: US$30 (single entry), US$45 (double entry), US$55 (multiple entry) - a valid passport, travel itinerary, return/onward journey ticket and cash payment must be presented. Note that Canadian citizens are able to obtain single entry visas only on arrival at a cost of US$75, whilst British and Irish citizens pay higher fees for a visa on arrival (US$55 for single entry and US$70 for double entry). Visas appear not to be required for minors accompanied by a parent even though border personnel at land border crossings do not typically seem to be aware of this. Simply ask for it and you might be able to save the fee. Category C (countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain visas prior to travelling): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazzaville, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros Islands, Congo (Brazzaville), Costa Rica, Conakry, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French West Indies, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macao SAR, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Macedonia, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turk and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia Visas can be obtained at Zimbabwean embassies/consulates. The fees for a visa vary between US$30 and 180 and depend on the applicant's nationality. You might be able to apply for a Zimbabwean visa at a British embassy, high commission or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Zimbabwean diplomatic post. For example, the British embassies/consulates in Amman[6], Ankara[7], Istanbul[8] and Tblisi[9] accept Zimbabwean visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge £50 to process a Zimbabwean visa application and an extra £70 if the authorities in Zimbabwe require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Zimbabwe can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly. By plane Harare International Airport has a number of international flights, mainly to other African countries. Air Zimbabwe has started operating the Harare - Johannesburg, Harare-Bulawayo, Harare-Victoria Falls, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, Bulawayo-Johannesburg, Victoria Falls-Johannesburg routes and is currently the cheapest operator on those routes. However, a good option is to fly with South African Airways [10] or Airlink [11] via Johannesburg. SAA operates to quite a few European airports and has many flights to South Africa and other African destinations. When coming from South Africa you can also use the no-frills airline Kulula.com [12]. KLM offers direct flights from Amsterdam to Harare or with a stopover in Lusaka/Nairobi. [13] Emirates also operates the Harare-Lusaka and Harare-Dubai routes British Airways has stopped nonstop flights between Harare and Heathrow. Victoria Falls airport has daily services by South African Airways, South African Airlink http://www.saairlink.co.za and British Airways from and to Johannesburg. Air Namibia has flight to Victoria Falls from Windhoek/Nambia. Bulawayo also has an international airport, with flights from Johannesburg operated by SAA and Air Zimbabwe. For domestic flights inside Zimbabwe, linking international flights to domestic tourism and business destinations, Solenta Aviation has introduced domestic flights in Zimbabwe catering for the Charter and Scheduled market, linking all major tourist hubs and safari lodges along the Zambezi River, Lake Kariba, Victoria Falls and Hwange.[14] By car Zimbabwe is accessible by road from the countries that surround it. Contrary to past scenarios, fuel is readily available at all fuel stations prices now being quoted in US dollars. As fuel has to be imported from either Mozambique or South Africa, you can expect to pay more per litre than you would in most other Southern African countries. It should also be noted that roads in Zimbabwe are now in a very dilapidated state, although a lot of road construction is currently taking place to improve the countries main highways and due caution should be taken when driving, especially at night, and in particular, during the November to March rainy season. Potholes are a very common occurrence and a serious threat to any vehicle that hits one also cattle and donkeys are a danger as well as ongoing road construction. By bus Regular deluxe bus services operate from Johannesburg to Harare. A number of buses also travel from Johannesburg to Bulawayo. Greyhound drives to both destinations. Tickets can be obtained directly from Greyhound or through the Computicket website. Several bus companies also operate direct buses from Harare to Blantyre, Malawi. No public transport exists from Victoria Falls directly to Botswana - a taxi to the border will cost around 40$, or some hotels in Vic Falls can arrange transfers. By train The more adventurous tourists could travel by train from Bulawayo to the Victoria Falls ([15]). The train also passes through Hwange National Park, one of the biggest national parks in Africa. Get around Between the cities, buses still run but are bad even by African standards. The only exception is with buses from the RoadPort in Harare which run to Johannesburg, Lusaka, Lilongwe (not Blantyre) amongst other destinations. Minibus taxis are available for intra-city transport, and are relatively inexpensive by European standards. They provide a cheap, though a not necessarily safe way of seeing the true Zimbabwe. Hitchhiking is also a viable option, but tourists need to take care with whom they accept lifts from; hijackings and robberies of hitchhikers, especially within Harare, have been on the increase in the last few years. Be sure to bring some money along, as drivers very often expect some sort of fee to be paid up front. The condition of the roads in Zimbabwe seems to have improved considerably since the economic collapse of 2008. Roads between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, Bulawayo and Masvingo (Great Zimbabwe) and Masvingo and Mutare are all in excellent condition. Note that almost no gas stations in Zimbabwe currently take credit cards. Also road blocks are common but usually police just want to see your drivers licence and your Temporary Import Permit (TIP). Police can fine you if you do not have adhesive reflectors on your car, red hazard triangles in your boot, a spare tyre, and a fire extinguisher (a good idea in such hot countries anyways!), so be sure to carry those items if you want to avoid a fine. Talk Zimbabwe has sixteen official languages, the most notable being English, Shona and Ndebele - the three official languages prior to constitutional reform in 2013. There are also numerous but minor tribal dialects. Shona is the most widely spoken language, even in Harare. Generally, almost everybody can speak English quite well, even older people and school children. See Hwange National Park. Located between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, the park boasts more than 100 different animal species and over 400 species of birds. It is one of the few great elephants sanctuaries in Africa with over 30,000 elephants. edit Matobo Hills National Park. Also known as Matopos, this small park close to Bulawayo was awarded a UNESCO world heritage status in 2003 for its fascinating natural features and wildlife. edit Mana Pools National Park. Mana Pools National Park, South of the Zambezi river in the North of Zimbabwe, is a UNESCO world heritage site. A remote location, it welcomes happy few safari lovers with an abundance of elephants, hippos, lions, antelopes and other animals, and over 350 bird species, in stunning landscapes. edit Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Located in the vicinity of Masvingo, the 3rd Zimbabwean city, Great Zimbabwe ruins are the remains of one of greatest African civilizations after the Pharaohs: the Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe dominated the area from present Zimbabwe, East of Botswana and South East of Mozambique in the late Iron Age (1100-1450 AD). From the impressive granite stone complex that was once built, the ruins span 1,800 ac (700 ha) and cover a radius of 100-200 mi (160-320 km). edit Victoria falls, Zambezi River, [1]. One of the greatest attractions in Africa and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls. edit Nyanga National Park, [2]. Rolling green hills and perennial rivers transverse the 47 000 hectare Park. Nyanga National Park can provide the visitor with an unforgettable holiday experience. edit Do Walk with the lions, Swim with the elephants, Ride a horse, [3]. and enjoy other game activities at Antelope Park, located by Gweru, between Harare and Bulawayo. (Always do your own research first before participating in any activity that involves interacting with wild animals.) edit Harare International Festival of Arts, [4]. (HIFA), every year in Harare (end of April) with some extension in Bulawayo. Music, Theatre, and other shows sponsored by foreign embassies, it features top international and local artists,and also brings in town a great artcraft market. edit Buy Zimbabwe legalised the use of foreign currencies as legal tender, thus negating the need for the inflation-ravaged Zimbabwe Dollar, which has now been withdrawn from circulation. The US dollar ($) is now the official currency for governmental transactions in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has introduced a local issue of Bond Coins to supplement the current money supply. The coins come the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents - they are on par with American coins. In supermarkets, you may be given change in chewing gum or sweets if there is no coinage available. The South African rand (R), Botswanan pula (P), Pound sterling (£), Euro (€), Indian rupee (₹), Australian dollar (A$), Chinese yuan (元/¥), and Japanese yen (¥) are also legal tender in the country and are widely accepted for non-governmental transactions. The use of credit cards is still very limited, with only a few service providers accepting VISA or MasterCards in Zimbabwe. Also, ATM use can be very limited for non-citizens, so please do yourself a favour and come with plenty of cash on hand. As for prices, non-imported things are very cheap (especially labour intensive things), however for a tourist drinking coke and eating pizza, prices are not that much lower than in South Africa. Petrol (gasoline) supplies are improving, so are food supplies in supermarkets. Haggling for a better price is common, but keep in mind that most people are very poor. Eat For a sample of what Zimbabweans eat (in some form, nearly every day), ask for sadza and tsunga (stew). The stew part will be familiar, served over a large portion of sadza, a thick ground corn paste (vaguely like polenta and the consistency of thick mashed potatoes) that locals eat at virtually every meal. It is inexpensive, quite tasty and very filling. If you want to really impress your African hosts, eat it how they do: take a golfball-sized portion of the sadza in one hand and kneed it into a ball, then use your thumb to push a small indentation into it and use that to scoop up a bit of stew before popping it into your mouth. Don't 'double dunk'. For extra credit, clap your hands together twice gently when it (or anything else for that matter) is served to say, "Thank you." Believe it or not, they'll be very impressed. Drink The legal drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18. Imported drinks and locally made franchises are available as well as local soft drinks. Mazoe, the local orange squash (or other fruit flavour), is generally available in most eateries. Bottled water is also available. Tap water, as a source of potable water, in general, should be avoided. If no other source of water is available for drinking, then it is best boiled prior to consumption. Sleep Zimbabwe has a great number of tourist facilities, and offers a variety of accommodation options, from international hotels to guest houses, lodges, and safari camps for all budgets. There are various hotels and motels in Harare. Several hotels have international partnerships, such a Meikles Hotel, Crown Monomotapa Hotel, Holiday Inn in Harare and Bulawayo. In Bulawayo'S inner city, you may stay at the Bulawayo Club, a charming old building you may also visit for lunch or dinner, Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel [16], Holiday Inn, or one of numerous lodges and backpacker's places. The Eastern Highlands has much to offer. The Leopard Rock Hotel [17]in the Bvumba is said to be beautiful, having been described so by HRH Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who said, "Where is there a more beautiful place in Africa? It is surely one of the most special places in the world." Another pleasant resort in the area is Troutbeck Resort If you are on a safari tour there are tented camps, chalets and camping sites in most of the safaris areas. Stay safe The US, Japan and Germany lifted their travel warnings to Zimbabwe in April 2009; an indication that the security risk for visitors is low. Zimbabwe is generally a very safe country however occasional robberies do occur. Make sure to tip as times are tough for locals, and they depend enormously on your generosity. Stay healthy In the current economic situation many medicines are in short supply or cannot be sourced, so you are strongly advised to take all medications with you. Medical attention will be very hard to get: many hospitals even in cities are completely closed or unable to offer substantial care. Some medical personnel may perform procedures for payment, in somewhat dangerous and under equipped surrounds. Medical supplies are severely restricted. Your travel insurance is very likely to be invalid if you travel to Zimbabwe and medical evacuations impossible to arrange. HIV/AIDS infection rate in Zimbabwe is the 6th highest in the world at around 15% or 1 in 7 infected. Obviously you should never have unprotected sex. If you form a serious relationship, consider both getting an HIV test before taking things further. Malaria is prevalent, so unless you are going to stay entirely within Harare or Bulawayo, anti-malarials are advised. Drugs reduce the severity of the disease but do not prevent infection, so also consider precautions such as the following: sleeping under a mosquito net (lightweight travel nets are comparatively cool to use) using mosquito repellent on the skin or burning mosquito coils wearing long sleeved clothing and long trousers, particularly in the evening Bilharzia is present in some lakes. Ask locally before swimming. Snakes are common in the bush, and most bites are on the foot or lower leg. If walking, particularly in long grass, wear proper boots and either long, loose trousers or thick, concertinaed hiking socks. Shake out boots and shoes in the morning, in case you have a guest. These precautions also reduce the chance of scorpion sting. If you do get bitten or stung, stay calm. Try to identify the exact culprit, but get to medical assistance as rapidly as you can without undue exertion. Many bites and stings are non-fatal even if not treated, but it is safer to seek treatment, which is very effective these days. Respect Clapping twice is an accepted "thank you", especially when someone is handing you something (food, a purchase). If one hand is full you can clap the free hand on your chest. Unlike in Asia, taking items passed to you with both hands is considered impolite, as it is seen as being greedy. Men should clap so that fingertips and wrists meet, but women should 'golf clap' with hands crossing. When shaking hands or handing anything valuable to someone, it is polite to support the right forearm with the left hand (or vice versa), to signify the "weight" of the gift or honour. In practice this often means just touching the forearm, or even gesturing towards it. When taking something from a local, it is strictly done with the right hand as it is seen as an insult if the left hand is used regardless of dextrousness. The same rule applies when passing something. Be careful with your opinion, as speaking against the government is a crime. It is noteworthy that Zimbabweans are generally very very friendly and relaxed people. They will meet foreigners (i.e. Westerners/white travelers) on almost all occasions with a smile, some curiosity and friendliness - or just indifference at worst. This holds true even in larger cities like Bulawayo for instance. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!/‎