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A Guide to Navigating Airports in Zimbabwe

Quick Summary

  • Main International Airport: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare.
  • Arrive Early: For international flights, arrive at least 3 hours before departure. For domestic, 1.5 hours is sufficient.
  • Key Documents: Passport, ticket, and visa (if required) are essential for all international travel.
  • Currency: Have small USD notes available for baggage trolleys and other small expenses.
  • Parking: Short-term and long-term parking is available, but it's often easier to be dropped off.

Navigating the airport can be a smooth process if you know what to expect. This guide covers the general procedures for domestic and international flights at Zimbabwe's main airports, as well as tips for parking and pick-ups.

Departures - International

  1. Check-in: Go to your airline's check-in counter. You will need to present your passport and ticket. Your hold luggage will be weighed and checked in here.
  2. Immigration: After check-in, proceed to the immigration counters. An officer will check your passport and stamp it for exit.
  3. Security Screening: Your hand luggage will be scanned, and you will walk through a metal detector. Ensure you have no prohibited items and that liquids are in containers of 100ml or less.
  4. Boarding: You can now proceed to your designated departure gate and wait for your flight to board.

Arrivals - International

  1. Immigration: The first stop is immigration. Fill out an entry form (usually provided on the flight) and present it with your passport to the officer. If you require a visa on arrival, you will be directed to a separate counter to pay for it.
  2. Baggage Claim: Proceed to the baggage carousels to collect your checked-in luggage.
  3. Customs (ZIMRA): After collecting your bags, you will go through customs. If you have nothing to declare, you can go through the "Green Route." If you have goods to declare, you must go through the "Red Route" and complete a declaration form.

Domestic Flights (Departures & Arrivals)

Domestic travel is much simpler as it does not involve immigration or customs.

  • Departures: You will check in at your airline's counter and go through a security screening before proceeding to the domestic departure gate.
  • Arrivals: Upon arrival, you will simply go to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage and then exit the airport.

Parking, Pick-ups, and Drop-offs

  • Drop-off: There is a designated drop-off zone directly outside the terminal for quick drop-offs. Drivers are not permitted to wait here for long.
  • Pick-up: If you are picking someone up, it is best to use the short-term car park. This allows you to park your car and wait for the person to exit the terminal.
  • Parking: Airports have designated short-term and long-term car parks. The fees are paid upon exiting the car park. Keep your entry ticket in a safe place.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Not Having Small USD Notes: Baggage trolleys often require a small fee (e.g., $1 or $2). Having small notes on hand is very convenient.
  • Ignoring Luggage Weight Limits: Airlines are very strict about luggage weight. Check your allowance before you pack to avoid expensive excess baggage fees at the check-in counter.
  • Forgetting to Fill Out Forms: For international travel, filling out your entry/exit forms while you are in the queue for immigration will save you a lot of time.