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.

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.

National specialities:
• 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).

Tipping: A 10 to 15% tip is usual.

Rather limited outside the cities with emphasis on eating and discos, but larger cities have nightclubs, cinemas and repertory theatres. The three main tourist areas have casinos.

A sales tax of 10 to 22% is added to all purchases, the higher rate being on luxury items, except those which are to be exported. Special purchases are copper, wooden and soapstone carvings, gameskin and leather products, pottery and basketwork.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300.