Dont want to carry too much or too little. Whats the average cash people carry when travelling around Zimbabwe?
Spent a week solo in Zimbabwe this May. Budgeted $60/day including accommodation, food, and transport - and it worked well. Ate at sit-down cafes, stayed at a guesthouse with 24/7 security, and did two paid tours. If you're staying in city centers, things are affordable. It’s once you do excursions or private hires that prices shoot up. Always have spare cash stashed away.
Living in Harare for the past four months, I’d say travelers should budget around $50-60/day for a mid-range experience - AC guesthouses, restaurant meals, and intercity travel. Costs spike in tourist zones. A local SIM (NetOne or Econet) helps with booking rides and finding deals. I recommend keeping $300-$400 in cash for emergencies; some weeks banks run dry or apps freeze.
My average daily spend from Harare to Vic Falls was $40-$45. That covered local buses, decent guesthouses, SIM top-ups, and a few drinks. The real killer was entry fees - $50 for Vic Falls alone. Bring some buffer cash in USD, especially if you’re crossing to Zambia or doing safaris. Zimbabwe’s cheap on the surface, but sudden costs add up quick.
I did a 10-day trip across Zimbabwe in March 2025 on a tight student budget. Daily costs hovered around $25-$35. Kombis between towns were super cheap, and hostel dorms in Bulawayo and Great Zimbabwe cost under $10/night. Local food stalls sell huge sadza plates for like ZWL 5000. Just watch for park entrance fees - Victoria Falls and Hwange really bump your average.