Zimbabwe Travel Update: VAT increase in 2026 – What visitors need to know!

Travellers planning a trip to Zimbabwe in 2026 should be aware of an important change that may affect trip costs. Since 01 January 2026, several tourism services that were previously zero-rated for Value Added Tax (VAT) now attract 15.5% VAT. As a result, many tourism operators are being forced to reprice confirmed and future bookings.

What has changed?
Under Zimbabwe’s 2026 National Budget, the standard VAT rate has increased slightly from 15% to 15.5%. More importantly for travellers, certain tourism services that were previously VAT-free (zero-rated) are now treated as standard-rated supplies.

In practical terms, this means VAT may now be added to services where it was not charged before.

Which travel services are affected?
The VAT change may apply to a range of tourism-related services in Zimbabwe, depending on how they are structured and supplied. These can include:

• Safari packages and guided tours
• Accommodation and lodge packages
• Transfers and car hire
• Destination management services
• Certain services provided to non-resident travellers

Not all tourism services in Zimbabwe are affected in the same way, but many operators have confirmed that VAT must now be included in pricing, even for international visitors.

What does this mean for travellers?
For most visitors, the impact will be moderate but noticeable, especially on higher-value safari itineraries. Key points to consider:

• Expect slightly higher total trip costs compared to 2025 pricing
• Check whether quoted prices are VAT inclusive or exclusive
• Confirm if VAT applies to deposits already paid
• Ask operators to clarify how VAT is reflected on invoices

Importantly, the VAT increase does not indicate new tourism taxes or fees beyond the existing framework—it is an adjustment to how VAT is applied.

Is Zimbabwe still good value?
Despite the change, Zimbabwe remains highly competitive for safari and adventure travel. Iconic attractions like Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, and Mana Pools continue to offer world-class experiences.

Travel tip
Always check that your price clearly includes VAT and budget a small contingency for adjustments. Reputable operators are proactively updating bookings to comply with the new tax rules.

 

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Tanzania not to enforce VAT on tourist services

Great news for travellers planning to visit Tanzania as well as for the Tanzanian tourism industry. After consultations with the Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT), the government of Tanzania announced that it amended the current national budget and will not enforce the value added tax (VAT) on tourist services, such as accommodation, park fees, ground transportation, tour guiding, game driving and water safaris etc. According to the original national budget 2013/14, the government acutally planned to eliminate the VAT exemption on tourist services. The VAT in Tanzania is 18%. Uganda, now it is up to you!

Uganda: Hotels not excluded from VAT anymore; rates to increase at least by 18%!

update (15 Nov 2013): The "Association of Uganda Tour Operators" just announced via their facebook page, that [...] In a letter addressed to Bonifence Byamukama, Chairman AUTO from Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent secretary to the treasury in the Ministry of finance, VAT exemption on the supply of hotel accommodation in tourist lodges and hotels outside Kampala District was reinstated. This implies that upcountry accommodation can operate as before without the levy of the 18%. Therefore, members who had paid the VAT can seek for a refund. [...]

update (26 Aug 2013): We just got this retweet of our tweet from 21 Aug 2013:

@travelcomments @Guide2Uganda  As far as we have been informed this is still only a proposal ad has yet to be passed by parliament.
— GeoLodges Uganda (@GeoLodges) August 26, 2013

update (21 Aug 2013): According to Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor (online edition), the government of Uganda agreed to postpone the proposed VAT on hotel accommodation to 01 July 2014 as part of a government policy to review and rationalise tax exemptions. [more]

Effective from 01 July 2013, accommodation establishments in Uganda will no longer be excluded from the 18% value added tax (VAT) usual in the country. Travellers planning to visit Uganda, as well as travellers who have already made bookings in Uganda for visits after 01 July 2013, must expect that the by then mandatory 18% VAT will come on top of the rates at all hotels, lodges, resorts, hostels etc. The decision to end the exemption granted for accommodation establishments was announced by the Minister of Finance in Uganda, Maria Kiwanuka, during her presentation of the 2013/14 national budget to Parliament at the Serena Kampala Hotel on 13 June 2013.