Getting to Zimbabwe

By Road

Most main city and town roads in Zimbabwe are in good condition, with service stations in most areas making getting into and around Zimbabwe easy. When entering Zimbabwe by hired car, a temporary import permit will be issued at the border. A carbon tax is charged based on the engine capacity and a toll fee of $100 is charged per car. Third Party insurance covering Zimbabwe needs to be obtained at the border if no valid COMESA yellow insurance card has been provided by the car hire firm.
Zimbabwe's border check posts are usually open between 6am - 6pm across the country. Extended timings are, however, available at two more popular entry points Victoria Falls (Zambian border post) stays open until 10pm and the entry post at Beitbridge (South Africa) is open 24 hours a day. Other border posts include Kazungula and Plumtree if you're arriving from Botswana, Chirundu and Kariba if you enter from Zambia and Nyamapanda and Mutare if you drive in from Mozambique.

Rules of the Road

Local speed limits are:

• 120 km/h on big, open roads.
• 60 to 80 km/h on smaller roads.
• 40 km/h within national parks.

Vehicles drive on the left side of the road and international driving permits and valid driving licenses issued in Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland are valid in Zimbabwe. A visitor from any other country may, for 90 days (or more depending on the country of issue), use a valid driving licence, issued by the competent authority in that country. If not printed in English, it should have a printed certificate of authority and validity or a transcription of the text with the bearer's photograph attached.
Vehicles will not be considered roadworthy unless they are equipped with a fire extinguisher, warning triangle, a serviceable spare wheel, a jack and a wheel spanner.