In this section of our pocket travel guide to Zimbabwe, we aim to give you general travel safety tips that could be of practical help to you and the people coming with you. Keep in mind that Zimbabwe is a developing country and the economic condition is not ideal but it is a country with so many things to offer a traveler with its rich history, fantastic sceneries, several game reserves and local culture. Check with your travel agent if you need to apply for a visa to visit Zimbabwe and make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months and there are still blank pages left in it for customs entry and exit stamping.

At least three months before your trip to Zimbabwe do have a physical checkup and check with your doctor on what vaccinations and inoculations you would need for your trip. If you had come from a country or area that is yellow fever infected, you would need valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. You should get vaccination for typhoid and H1N1.

Zimbabwe has one of the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS infections in southern Africa hence the need to be very careful when handling emergency situations where cuts and blood are involved.

Once you get all your travel documents – passport, visa, plane tickets, even hotel and tour bookings organized, make two copies of each item. Leave one set with someone at home, and store the other set separate from the original documents.

It is advisable to travel with a reliable tour group around Zimbabwe so you will have the chance to enjoy all the sights in relative comfort and you will be worry-free. Experienced and professional tour operators have the knowledge of where to go and the safest places to visit while you are in Zimbabwe. Throughout your stay, be responsible for your safety and always go on a packaged safari or join small tour groups. You should also ask the hotel staff on dress codes and where the safe tourist places are located. While you are with a tour group you still should exercise caution and always listen to the precautions, warnings and instruction given by your guide. Wait for your guide to lead you when you enter a wildlife area and do not approach any wild animal and never feed any of the animals even if they appear tame and inquisitive.

Zimbabwe offers plenty of opportunities for taking beautiful photographs of its many wonders but do keep in mind that you should still ask permission when taking pictures around the cities and towns, and that, under no circumstances, should you take pictures of police stations, political building and local courts. It is also illegal to take pictures of the President’s house as well as the airport without prior authorization.

Residents still show their discontent by street demonstrations and it is for your own safety to avoid large crowds and gatherings.

Petty crimes are not unheard of due to the country’s poor economy so bag snatching, holdup, pickpocketing do happen. As usual, it is best to keep a small but sturdy and preferably a waterproof bag to hold your loose change and bills in smaller denominationsand the copy of your travel documents and hold it close to your body all the time. Keep the rest of your cash, the original copies of your travel documents and your credit cards in a money belt or body bag. Do not wear expensive jewelry while you are on tour and while you might want to bring several cameras with you, it is best that you carry only one that will be able to take panoramic, distant and close up photos. Most petty thieves target tourists and frequent areas where tourists flock so be sure to always be alert to your surroundings. Keep your luggage locked even inside the hotel room and deposit whatever other valuables you have at the hotel safety deposit box.

While it is possible to drive in Zimbabwe if you have an international driver’s license, it is better to have someone drive for you so you will be free from headaches due to human and animal traffic as well as the poor road conditions. Do wear your seatbelt and keep all doors and windows locked as daytime carjacking occurs on occasion.

You need to be very fit and healthy to travel to Zimbabwe. The health services in the country are very poor and you may be able to get the medical services that you need.Take out a comprehensive travel insurance that you can use in Zimbabwe and one that covers emergency evacuation if necessary. Be careful and check the details of the medical coverage, and make sure that you can pay using your credit card rather than cash so you could have your medical expenses reimbursed later.

Zimbabwe is basically a cash-only country so you should be prepared to carry sufficient hard cash that will cover your whole stay in the country. It could be quite difficult to withdraw cash from the ATM machines and most establishments prefer that you pay in cash rather than use your debit, cash or credit cards. Traveler’s checks are essentially not recognized in Zimbabwe. You can use South African Rand or US Dollars for your transactions in the country. Just like anywhere else, resist the temptation to buy the widely available pirated and counterfeit goods; first because you might be breaking a local law and secondly you will not be able to bring them back home as these will not pass through customs.

Possession of illegal drugs including marijuana, homosexual activities, wearing camouflage clothing, purchase and distribution of pirated and pornographic materials, possession of banned books and engaging in any political activity is against the law and heavy penalties are imposed. Do be careful about waving your open hand in public, as this is a political symbol of the opposition.

Always drink bottled, boiled or chlorinated water while you are in Zimbabwe. Before going out apply high-SPF sunscreen on all exposed skin and plenty of lip moisturizers to avoid chafing. Apply mosquito repellent all the time and wear loose and light colored clothing. Ensure that your accommodation is mosquito-free and use a mosquito net if possible. Avoid using ice cubes in your cold drinks and eat only in reputable restaurants, again avoiding undercooked and raw foods.

Zimbabwe is still a relatively safe travel destination despite the instability of the political and economic situation. Tourism operators are very aware that they have to protect the visitors to their country to ensure that they will keep coming, so they exert all efforts to keep tourists safe and take them only to places where they can be sure that their guests will have a great time. But then again you should not be complacent and always be responsible for your own safety by not taking risks.

The country is teeming with some of the best wildlife that roams the vast tracts of landin Africa. There are many ruins of an ancient civilization as well as opportunities to observe Africa’s wildlife in their natural habitat, as well as southern Africa’s flora. Make sure that the tour operator you would be signing with is licensed and trained. At the same time do not take chances and stay inside the bus, inside protected enclosures and keep a safe distance from animals.

With these practical safety tips you can be sure that your trip to Zimbabwe will be a very pleasant and culturally-enriching experience. Keep our travel guide to Zimbabwe handy and refer to it from time to time so you make your way to one of the most fascinating and rare travel destinations on earth.