Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Zimbabwe Local Customs
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Africa » Zimbabwe » Local Customs

Zimbabwe Local Customs

Learn the local customs of Zimbabwe. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Zimbabwe locals.
Map
Zimbabwe Local CustomsTips 1 - 10 of 26  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
A Helping Hand
  • Tip Rating:
    • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on October 2, 2007
  • Zimbabwe Page by Bwana_Brown
    • Edward - Zimbabwe
    Edward
    by Bwana_Brown
    Whether you like it or not, it was customary in southern Africa to employ local people to help with household chores, both inside and outside. Even when I was a poorly paid volunteer in Zambia (relative to other whites or 'mzungus' as we were called), I was constantly faced with entreaties at the door asking for employment. Eventually, I gave in and hired my own guy, James, to look after the odd jobs that I could just have easily done myself. However, to James, it was his main source of income for the years that I was there. The same thing applied in Zimbabwe, except that, with the expatriates that made these countries their life, these employees became like part of the family. I was glad to see Edward again in Harare, still faithfully carrying out his chores 20 years after our first meeting!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Zimbabwe?

    Read reviews about Zimbabwe Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    THEY WORK VERY HARD!!
  • Tip Rating:
    • safardreams
  • By safardreams on November 9, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by safardreams
    • PLEASED TO HAVE US! - Zimbabwe
    PLEASED TO HAVE US!
    by safardreams
    I found in Zimbabwe, as well in Kenya. To
    give the camp hands $5.00- $10.00 a day.
    Thats not per-camp hand. Thats per-traveler. The money gets collected, then they divided up later. Now, your main guide. He gets his own tip. Again, the same as above. But give what you can. It's very important they feel
    they have a reason to keep doing safaris!!
    In turn will help protect the parks and all that is in it!!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Be friendly and respectful....
  • Tip Rating:
    • anaiis
  • By anaiis on August 26, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by anaiis
    • Zimbabwe Local Customs
    by anaiis
    Be friendly and respectful. When ending your journey, dont throw away your things - like toothpaste or half of your shower liquid soap. Those things - even sun tanning cream! - are very very valuable. Even old T shirts and worn out sneakers. You should exchange those at the market, when buying other things - like statues and batik. Dont buy statues the first day, because they are heavy. If you have exceeded the allowed weight for the plane, try the following tactics: send some things in the parcel to your home (not statues - they will brake!) or: cry truthfully at the airport (risky, but efficient in my case).

    I exchanged my used sneakers with the statue on the picture. Unfortunatelly I throw away most of other things (to European its just garbage). But I had to walk barefoot for this statue... :) They even wanted my sweaty smelly socks! We laughed a lot at the market about that. I was the attraction of the day.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Buying African batik is...
  • Tip Rating:
    • anaiis
  • By anaiis on August 26, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by anaiis
    • Zimbabwe Local Customs
    by anaiis
    Buying African batik is definitely a must. I made friends with one woman and we became pen pals. I send her parcels of my used clothes and shoes. She has two daughters and she is a widow now. Her husband died of TBC. She is trying to make the ends meet. I believe in personal help, thats why I am doing this. I know who she is and we can share our grief and hapiness. I just wish I could do more for her. So - when being in 3rd world country - dont look at these people as something strange, exhibited in the zoo. They are people, just as you. They deserve something better. Make friends with them. Chat with them. Give what you can.

    On the picture: african batik (hand painted sheet) and the rest of goods you cant resist.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    I don't remember who said...
  • Tip Rating:
    • Gypsy_Saskia
  • By Gypsy_Saskia on September 8, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by Gypsy_Saskia
    • Zimbabwe Local Customs
    by Gypsy_Saskia
    I don't remember who said 'You've got the watches, we've got the time' but it could well have been a Zimbabwian. The rush-rush of the modern western countries is something uncommon in Zimbabwe which I believe we should learn from!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Zimbabwe?

    Read reviews about Zimbabwe Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    People were very friendly in...
  • Tip Rating:
  • By scooter3 on September 2, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by scooter3
    • People were very friendly in Zimbabwe. We found it very easy to get around, etc.. I didn't really enjoy the coffee there though.. It was very watered down and sometimes tasted a little strange..

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Coke and Culture
  • Tip Rating:
    • tini58de
  • Updated By tini58de on August 6, 2004
  • Zimbabwe Page by tini58de
    • Coke and culture - Zimbabwe
    Coke and culture
    by tini58de
    Naturally a touristy area doesn't give you the chance to really experience a country, its people and the culture! But still there is plenty to see that is typical for the area and that you will be able to enjoy!!!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    DIARY OF THE TRIP I made an...
  • Tip Rating:
    • SirRichard
  • Updated By SirRichard on August 25, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by SirRichard
    • Zimbabwe Local Customs
    by SirRichard
    DIARY OF THE TRIP
    I made an 'on the road' diary, with watercolor drawings and some personal impressions. It's written in spanish, of course, but you can take a look at the drawings at my travelogue

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Before rafting or canooing on...
  • Tip Rating:
    • anaiis
  • By anaiis on August 26, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by anaiis
    • Zimbabwe Local Customs
    by anaiis
    Before rafting or canooing on Zambezi, buy yourself one of these. Its called Nyami Nyami and represents a river spirit that will protect you from anything bad. River spirit is very important in African culture, since water is fundamental and waluable resourse. Also, wearing it you can expect wealth. Since nyami nyamis are not heavy, I recommend that you buy a few of them for your friends and family back home. They will love it! They are made of stone, small and look great.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Do you like my hairdress? I...
  • Tip Rating:
    • anaiis
  • By anaiis on August 26, 2002
  • Zimbabwe Page by anaiis
    • Zimbabwe Local Customs
    by anaiis
    Do you like my hairdress? I had it done when I got over my cultural shock experience and asimilation took place in my soul. But before getting too excited (I know, it looks great!) you must be aware: for this kind of hairdress (the breads are made from my own hair, not artifical) you must sit still for 7 hours. A lot of hairstylist would try to make you enthusiastic and will say it takes 3-4 hours, but dont believe that. It takes 7 hours at least, so bring water to drink during the procedure. If you have short or thin hair it is better (and least time consuming) if breads are not yours - you can choose which one will you have (colour, style). Now, when you have this hairdress, you are more acceptable and people will make friends faster and easier with you, they will not be afraid or submissive (I hate that). But please, be aware, that this hairdress on this picture also came with lice in the package. So I had to buy lice shampoo to get rid of that. I recommend bringing lice shampoo with you in Zimbambwe. Since that was my only infection there, I am quite satisfied. This hairdress is very recommendable also for thick hair (as mine), since you are not feeling so hot anymore. But do wear a hat allways, the sun is crazy.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    1 | 2 | 3
    More Zimbabwe Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 83 - Photos: 65
    Things To Do
    Tips: 220 - Photos: 235    		Nightlife
    Tips: 31 - Photos: 25
    Transportation
    Tips: 46 - Photos: 40    		Restaurants
    Tips: 35 - Photos: 23
    Shopping
    Tips: 8 - Photos: 7    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 53 - Photos: 52
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 30 - Photos: 13    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 63 - Photos: 39
    Local Customs
    Tips: 26 - Photos: 20    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 11
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 2    		General Tips
    Tips: 98 - Photos: 89
    Best Zimbabwe Travel Deals

    Hotels in Zimbabwe
    Stay at Holiday Inn Express! Book low rates now at our official site.

    South Africa from $930
    Fly to South Africa from $930 R/T on SAA! Sale Ends Soon, Book Today.

    Harare Fares $1564* RT
    *taxes incl., NYC dep. by 12/9/09 *weekday fare, Limited seat avail.

    Zimbabwe Hotels
    Thousands Of Hotel Rooms Booked Daily. Find Your Hotel On Orbitz!

    Hotels in Zimbabwe
    Experience a hassle-free hotel stay Book Holiday Inn online now!

    Sponsored Links

    More Zimbabwe Travel Deals

    South Africa Tours
    Experience Africa up Close & Wild. Safaris and Tours at Great Prices!

    Harare Flight
    International Flights from $49* Book Now to Lock In the Best Rates!

    Zimbabwe Hotels
    Save on Zimbabwe Hotels. Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed!

    Sponsored Links

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.