English is the official language, although it is only spoken as a first language by a tiny percentage of the population. Several indigenous languages are spoken including Shona and Ndebele.
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The official currency is the Zimbabwe dollar (ZWN), which is divided into 100 cents. The Government of Zimbabwe has recently devalued the Zimbabwe dollar and deducted three zeros from the currency; 220,000 old Zimbabwean dollars are now worth 220 new Zimbabwean dollars. Foreign currency, especially US dollars, is hard to come by, but widely accepted and often preferred, and many prices are given in US dollars. Hard currency is required to pay for entry to Victoria Falls and many national parks. Banks and major hotels have foreign exchange facilities and many lodges, travel agencies and shops accept travelers checks. Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATM facilities are available in the cities.
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The international dialling code for Zimbabwe is +263. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00 27 for South Africa). International Direct Dialling is available. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)4 for Harare. Telecel, Econet and Net*One operators provide GSM 900 network mobile phone coverage in most cities, towns and tourist areas throughout the country.Internet and Email facilities are available in Harare, where there are about 30 Internet cafes which generally always crowded.
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A service charge is usually included in the bill, otherwise a 10 per cent tip is customary. In general tipping for good service is discretionary. Tour guides and game rangers depend largely on tips for their income and ranges from US$5 to US$10 per person per day.
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The security situation in Zimbabwe remains unstable due to political and social unrest, heightened by an economic crisis which has resulted in high rates of unemployment and inflation, nationwide fuel shortages, and serious shortages of basic foodstuffs. There has been a dramatic increase in criminal activity and opportunistic theft, particularly from foreigners in Harare and in the main tourist centres, such as Victoria Falls. Tourists are advised to avoid displays of wealth. Valuables and passports should be kept out of sight or preferably left in a hotel safe. Visitors should be especially cautious at ATMs and after dark; downtown Harare is a particularly high crime area. Visitors to Nyanga should avoid Pungwe Falls, Mterazi Falls and the Honde Falls, as there have been numerous incidents of violent crime reported at these sites. Extreme caution is advised when travelling, and independent travel, including backpacking, is not recommended - it is advisable to travel with a recognised tour operator to established tourist destinations. Although the scene of much crime, many tourist centres have been largely unaffected by political and social unrest. There are ongoing incidents of illegal land seizures, police roadblocks and violent political demonstrations, which could affect the safety of visitors; a low political profile is advised and in the event of demonstrations, visitors are warned to leave the area immediately and to make no attempt to watch or photograph the incident, or use a mobile phone, even from a safe distance, as there have been sporadic, violent attacks on innocent white bystanders in the past. The government's recent "clean up" campaign has increased tension in urban areas and visitors should avoid travel to high-density suburbs.
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Travellers coming from infected countries require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Precautions against Hepatitis A, Meningococcus and tetanus are also recommended. Other risks include typhoid, polio and bilharzia; a high prevalence of AIDS/HIV exists. There is a risk of malaria all year in most of the country,particularly in the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and in the Eastern Highlands; the risk is very small in Harare and Bulawayo. Mosquitoes are chloroquine resistant. A series of cholera outbreaks have been occurring since early 2006, resulting in over 70 deaths so far, the most recent being during May in the northeastern town of Guruve. Cholera outbreaks occur usually during the rainy season when flooding and contamination of water sources takes place. Visitors are advised to take food and hygiene precautions. Tap water in urban areas is considered safe to drink, but bottled water is also available. The current economic instability has led to shortages of medication in public hospitals,and many staff are on strike; it is advisable to bring a supply of personal medication. Medical insurance is essential. Private clinics expect cash payment and medical costs can be high.
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Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Three round pin and three rectangular blade plugs are common.
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