Do not change forex into local Zimbabwe currency as you will get the official bank rate of exchange, which bears no relation to the reality of the cost of goods in Zim, and you will then find everything that they pay in Zim Dollars VERY expensive!

Take forex cash (USD is best, but they can also use Rand, UK pounds and Euro to a lesser extent)

You MUST produce the original bank letter that you are given at time of purchasing your travellers cheques in your home country, or the Zim banks will NOT exchange travellers cheques. Travellers cheques are also not accepted widely at restaurants etc, so rather avoid them if possible.

Mastercard, diners and Amex are no longer accepted in Zim. The only credit card that is sometimes still taken is Visa. HOWEVER, if you pay by visa credit card, again the bank official exchange rate will be used when the bank calculates the rate to be charged to their card in their home currency. It makes everything very expensive indeed…

So book and prepay as much as possible in advance (hotels, transfers, and excursions). Large USD bills are also not accepted everywhere, so USD 50 or smaller are the best denominations to carry.

From UTC in Joburg.