Zimbabwe Food Guide

Zimbabwean cuisine cannot be said to be wildly exciting, but is hearty and filling enough. The main influences are predictably, British and African. The African staple is sadza - a maize meal porridge, and nyama - meat, including game like crocodile, kudu and impala. The usual array of fruit and vegetables is available, but of these, the gem squash, a delicious marrow-like fruit is especially recommended.

As far as drinks go, do not expect to find a decent cup of coffee in the country. One word of advice – if you do come across something that pretends to be coffee, give it a very wide berth – it will probably be a sickly blend of chicory that is guaranteed to give you coffee nightmares for the rest of your life. The local alcohol staple is called chibuku – a strong liquor. Zimbabweans love their beer, and apart from international brands, they also gulp down a local variety called whawha.