Zimbabwe
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Read also the information on security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.
Important health risks
Malaria
The malaria risk is:
- high all year round in the north, east and northwest of the country including the valley of Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, national parks Chizarira, Gonarezhou and Mana. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- seasonal in the province Midlands, parts of the province Matabeleland North and central parts of other provinces, national parks Hwange and Matobo:
- from September to May is the malaria risk high. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- from June to August is the malaria risk moderate. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you.
- moderate all year around in the cities of Harare and Bulawayo. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Other insect-borne diseases
Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and sleeping sickness.
Protect yourself against insects.
Tick-borne diseases
Ticks can transmit diseases such as African tick bite fever.
Rabies
Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.
Schistosomiasis
There is a risk of infection with schistosomiasis when swimming or bathing in lakes and rivers.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other possible infections
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
- COVID-19
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis
- Polio
- Measles-mumps-rubella:
- Check your vaccination status. Early measles vaccination is recommended for some young children.
Polio
A single booster of polio vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Asia or Africa aged 16 years or older.
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:
Yellow fever vaccination is not necessary if you are travelling from Belgium.
For travellers visiting the Victoria Falls and crossing the border with Zambia, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required.
Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in certain countries in the past six days from the age of nine months. This also applies to transit through an airport that takes more than twelve hours.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.