Zimbabwe
Suit and tie should be worn for business meetings, however the atmosphere will generally be less formal than in many European countries. Most businessmen speak English and business cards are usually exchanged. Office hours are 0800-1630 Monday to Friday.
Muggings, rape, purse snatching, car thefts, and credit card fraud are on the increase and as foreigners are perceived as being wealthy, these groups are frequently being targeted. Thieves often operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and tourist areas. It may be prudent to take the preventive measure of leaving all valuables such as passport, money, jewelry and credit cards in the hotel safe when not being used. Do not carry large sums of money or multiple credit cards while shopping. Make and carry a photocopy of the biographic page of the passport for purposes of identification. Thieves have stolen possessions from automobiles and public transport vehicles stopped in traffic. Car doors should be locked and windows rolled up at all times.
Visitors should always be aware of activity around them. A typical mugging in Harare involves a group of young males who surround and overwhelm their victim in a public area. An alert person can often see this developing and take evasive action. Purse snatchers will often work in teams of two with one acting as a diversion. One may engage you in conversation or bump you on the street while the other grabs your valuables. Do not display or carry unnecessary valuables. Keep money in your pockets. Avoid wearing "fanny packs" and money belts. Thieves specifically look or feel for these items when robbing you.
There are regular reports of incidents of robberies and car jackings of vehicles using the Harare Airport road. Particular care should be taken at Harare International Airport where there has been an increase in such thefts. You should carry photocopies of your passport, although banks will not accept photocopies for monetary transactions. Take care with baggage in public places, and at reception desks when checking in or out of hotels.
Most visiting business people stay at the Monomatapa, Meikles, Sheraton or Holiday Inn hotels in downtown Harare-all are centrally located and provide acceptable internal security. Most business people in terms of comfort and location prefer the Meikles. Non-residents must pay hotel bills in hard currency. Local currency is not acceptable even on presentation of exchange certificates.
Full telephone IDD service is available. The country code is 263 and the outgoing international code is 110. Fax services are widely available. Zimbabwe's telecommunications system is being upgraded, but is still plagued by problems and does not offer many services (i.e., cellular, paging, packet switching, etc.) common in many countries.
Electricity is a 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz.
220/230 volts AC, 50Hz.
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Zimbabwe is a cosmopolitan society and enjoys both local and international cuisine. Eating out is popular and comparatively cheap. Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage. Imported wines, spirits and liqueurs are available in hotels. National specialties:
• Sadza (a stiff maize meal) eaten with meat and/or gravy and a relish.
• Nhedzi soup (wild mushroom).
• Game meat, including ostrich, warthog and crocodile tail.National drinks:
• Whawha (traditional maize beer).
Things to know:
Table service is the norm in restaurants. Public bars are almost always part of a hotel. Licensing hours in Zimbabwe are 1030-1500 and 1630-2300. Major hotels have 24-hour bars and room service.Tipping:
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual.Nightlife
Rather limited outside the cities with emphasis on eating and discos, but larger cities have nightclubs, cinemas and repertory theaters. The three main tourist areas have casinos.
