Zimbabwe has recently been in the grips of economic turmoil. Inflation has skyrocketed and it is nowhere near as cheap as it once was. Several years ago a meal at a good restaurant would cost roughly US$3.00 - US$5.00 . Now, you're looking at around US$20.00 . A lodge in Matobo National Park used to cost US$2.00 . It is now US$112.00 . For those goods that are locally made - beer, beef, sculptures and crafts - prices remain reasonable. But for a growing amount of products that must be imported, prices are often two to four times what they would be in neighbouring South Africa. Zimbabwe today essentially has two economies: the government one where it fixes exchange rates and prints money, and the one where the market actually sets the prices. Both affect the traveller. At the time of writing, the official bank rate was US$1.00 to Z$250.00 . The market/ parallel/black rate is US$1.00 to Z$1800.00 (and rapidly increasing). Tourists must change at the official rate at the bank. Prices are set at the market rate.

A good safari should cost anywhere from US$150.00 to US$350.00 per person per day (this includes everything from park fees to food to all activities and that Castle lager). A decent hotel is US$125.00 and upwards. Shopping, eating and sundries will all be determined by the parity - or lack thereof - between the market rate and the bank rate at the time of your visit.

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