{
  "_license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute SKETCH.WORLD (https://sketch.world) and link back if you use this data.",
  "_source": "https://sketch.world/zimbabwe",
  "iso2": "ZW",
  "name": "Zimbabwe",
  "slug": "zimbabwe",
  "updatedAt": "2026-07-12T18:52:45.363Z",
  "score": 65,
  "verdict": "go-plan",
  "confidence": "high",
  "subscores": {
    "advisoryConsensus": 77.77777777777777,
    "political": 44.04055021262988,
    "policeTrust": 25.781176,
    "health": 76,
    "crime": 86.48333749298457,
    "lgbtq": 20
  },
  "delta7d": 7,
  "advisories": {
    "disagreement": 1,
    "us": {
      "level": 2,
      "label": "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/zimbabwe-travel-advisory.html"
    },
    "uk": {
      "level": 1,
      "summary": "See FCDO advice.",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe"
    },
    "ca": {
      "level": 2,
      "label": "Exercise a high degree of caution",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/zimbabwe"
    }
  },
  "generated": true,
  "regionFlags": [],
  "health": {
    "notices": [
      {
        "title": "Global Measles",
        "level": 1
      }
    ],
    "vaccines": {
      "required": [],
      "recommended": []
    },
    "tapWater": "unknown"
  },
  "entry": {
    "visaNote": "",
    "passportValidityMonths": 0,
    "sources": []
  },
  "scams": [
    {
      "title": "Police Bribery",
      "body": "Underpaid officers may solicit bribes at checkpoints or border crossings. Remain firm and politely decline the request, as senior authorities do not tolerate this behavior.",
      "sources": [
        "wikivoyage"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "laws": [
    {
      "title": "Political Demonstrations",
      "body": "Tourists and outsiders are strongly discouraged from attending political rallies or events. These situations have elicited very strong responses from law enforcement in the past.",
      "sources": [
        "wikivoyage"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "streetWisdom": {
    "summary": "Travelers report that safety is a non-issue in Zimbabwe, with visitors noting they never felt unsafe during their time in the country. While older forums may suggest worse conditions, recent experiences indicate that police bribery, once prevalent, is no longer a factor. The primary challenges for travelers are logistical rather than criminal, specifically regarding the reliance on USD and the difficulty of using credit cards outside of major hubs like Harare and Victoria Falls. Road conditions vary significantly, ranging from well-maintained surfaces to grueling, sanity-testing washboard tracks in remote areas. Visitors should prioritize physical SIM cards over e-sims to ensure reliable connectivity.",
    "quotes": [
      {
        "text": "Safety was a non-issue, we never felt unsafe at any point on our trip.",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1gf07i8/roadtrip_in_zimbabwe/"
      },
      {
        "text": "Tons of construction to repave or build new roads, zero police bribing (something that was prevalent), and they even have KFC which feels promising!",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1gf07i8/roadtrip_in_zimbabwe/"
      },
      {
        "text": "The majority of the roads in Zim are in good condition, but when they're not they are terrible (like an hour driving on washboard, slowly losing my sanity).",
        "sub": "r/travel",
        "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1gf07i8/roadtrip_in_zimbabwe/"
      }
    ],
    "generatedAt": "2026-07-12"
  },
  "localKnowledge": {
    "staySafe": [
      {
        "text": "Generally, Zimbabwe has a much lower crime rate than its neighbors, and Zimbabweans are well known for their unrivaled hospitality."
      },
      {
        "text": "Most crime that does occur is opportunistic in nature and travelers should take care with their personal belongings and follow local advice."
      },
      {
        "text": "Shortages of fuel and water can occur in parts of the country, so keep extra supplies with you in case they are unavailable for an extended period."
      },
      {
        "text": "Whilst many locals will politely inquire about you and your country, remember, most Zimbabweans are still sensitive to foreigners' opinions of their country and its politicians, mostly due to years of negative press."
      },
      {
        "label": "Police",
        "text": "Policing in Zimbabwe has improved markedly since the Mugabe era."
      },
      {
        "text": "With local exceptions, such as airports, and national events, such as Independence Day parades, the vast majority of police officers in Zimbabwe do not carry firearms, and the only police of…"
      }
    ],
    "stayHealthy": [
      {
        "text": "Do your research about what is available. Take all medications that you need along with you. There are a number of private hospitals in the major cities that are very accessible."
      },
      {
        "text": "HIV/AIDS infection rate in Zimbabwe is the 6th highest in the world at around 9% of adults infected."
      },
      {
        "text": "Malaria is prevalent in lower regions of the country in the summertime, so unless you are going to stay entirely within Harare, Bulawayo or highland regions, anti-malarial drugs are advised."
      },
      {
        "text": "Bilharzia is present in some lakes. Ask locally before swimming."
      },
      {
        "text": "Snakes are common in the bush, and most bites are on the foot or lower leg."
      },
      {
        "text": "Tap water, as a source of potable water, in general, should be boiled prior to consumption. Bottled water is also available."
      }
    ],
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Zimbabwe"
  },
  "recentHeadlines": [
    {
      "title": "Mnangagwa term extension stokes fires - The Standard",
      "url": "https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200058224/mnangagwa-term-extension-stokes-fires",
      "seenAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "title": "RBZ launches Schools Monetary Policy Challenge to nurture future economic leaders",
      "url": "https://www.newzimbabwe.com/rbz-launches-schools-monetary-policy-challenge-to-nurture-future-economic-leaders/",
      "seenAt": "2026-07-11"
    },
    {
      "title": "Junior MP plea to Wicknell Chivayo sparks backlash – Nehanda Radio",
      "url": "https://nehandaradio.com/2026/07/10/junior-mps-plea-for-wicknell-chivayo-to-buy-cars-and-iphones-sparks-outrage-in-zimbabwe/",
      "seenAt": "2026-07-10"
    },
    {
      "title": "Zimbabwe : Air Zimbabwe Announces London Return Date , Sets Promotional Prices",
      "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202607100041.html",
      "seenAt": "2026-07-10"
    }
  ],
  "whatChanged": "Zimbabwe's safety score rose to 65 today, though you must still navigate a global measles notice and varying government advisories ranging from level 1 to 2.",
  "practical": {
    "plug": [
      "D",
      "G"
    ],
    "voltage": 220,
    "drivingSide": "left",
    "emergency": {
      "police": "999",
      "ambulance": "999",
      "fire": "999"
    },
    "simAdvice": "",
    "cashVsCard": "",
    "tipping": ""
  },
  "lgbtqLegal": {
    "status": "illegal",
    "summary": "Male illegal since 1891 (as Rhodesia)Female illegal since 2006 Penalty: Up to 14 years with fines",
    "sourceUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory"
  },
  "receipts": [
    {
      "sourceId": "us-state",
      "url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/zimbabwe-travel-advisory.html",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "uk-fcdo",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "ca-gac",
      "url": "https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/zimbabwe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-political",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_PV.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "worldbank-policeTrust",
      "url": "https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/all/indicator/GOV_WGI_RL.EST?format=json&date=2024&per_page=300",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "cdc-health",
      "url": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "wikivoyage",
      "url": "https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Zimbabwe",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "gdelt",
      "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202607100041.html",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-10"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "reddit",
      "url": "https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "unodc",
      "url": "https://data.unodc.org/datareport/hom-victim",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "acled-hdx",
      "url": "https://data.humdata.org/organization/acled",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    },
    {
      "sourceId": "lgbtq-legal-wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_by_country_or_territory",
      "observedAt": "2026-07-12"
    }
  ]
}