ZW Zimbabwe: how to get around

Between cities, you travel using luxury coaches like Pathfinder and Citilink. You can also get decent buses from RoadPort in Harare to other major cities including those in neighbouring countries like Johannesburg, Lusaka, Lilongwe.

Minibus taxis are available for intra-city transport, and are relatively inexpensive by European standards. They provide a cheap, though a not necessarily comfortable way of seeing the true Zimbabwe.

The taxi app in Zimbabwe is called Vaya, but you will need a Zimbabwean phone number to use it. Its exchange rate is fixed at Z$1 to US$1, so you will want to pay in Zimbabwean dollars (RTGS).

National Railways of Zimbabwe service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and remains suspended as of November 2025.

Traffic is the biggest danger because of the poor condition of cars and the driving culture. Driving after dark is not recommended, especially outside cities.

Car hijackings are possible. At traffic lights, when refuelling and otherwise when stopping your car, be alert for anyone approaching. When driving, always keep doors locked and windows closed. Be prepared for occasional fuel supply problems. Motorists should be prepared by buying an extra can of fuel.

The condition of the roads in Zimbabwe seems to have improved considerably since the stabilization of the economy. Roads between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, Bulawayo and Masvingo (Great Zimbabwe) and Masvingo and Mutare are all in relatively good condition. The highway between Plumtree and Mutare (passing through Bulawayo and Harare in between) is being resurfaced.