The best accommodations Zimbabwe

Founded in 2006 by Beks Ndlovu, a professional Zimbabwean guide, African Bush Camp operates luxury lodges and camps in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. In Zimbabwe, the company offers safaris to Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Hwange, and the Matopos. The approach is very integrated with nature, but also locally rooted and the service is very professional. African Bush Camp has its own foundation that supports community projects on the outskirts of protected areas.

A tired fishing lodge that must have a beauty, with chalets, a few pitches for tents and caravans and the possibility of dining on site (fast meals and sandwiches).

It was the lighthouse of the surroundings, where everyone was in the weekend, with family and friends. His aura of yesteryear is still there, despite the difficult years of tourism in Zimbabwe. The rooms, with two single beds, shower and toilet, are separated on a large ground, far from the restaurant and bar. The whole is located in the middle of the sugar cane fields, many in the region.

The main camp in the northern part of Gonarezhou Park is Chipinda Pools, which also operates as an administrative centre for this part of the park. Located near the entrance gate, it has campsites (with health, shelter and braaïs) as well as a few rondavels. It is located in a very pleasant setting, not far from beautiful green pools where big hippos they. More downstream, still on the edge of the Runde River, lies the Chinguli camp, also with showers, toilets and rondavels. Between these two camps (towards the Chilojo cliffs and the confluence of the Runde and Sava), other much more sommaires campsites are implanted along the Runde: Chivilila and Massasanya (near Chipinda Pools), Fishans, Chilojo, Nyahungwe, Madumbini, Bopomela and Lisoda (facing the cliffs), Gota, Chitove and Chamulubati (at the confluence of the Save and Runde rivers). Without any development, each of them can accommodate only 12 people.

Small camp for 12 persons, located 25 km southwest of Robins, at the Botswana border (4 x 4 mandatory). Two family units with 3 rooms and a bathroom; fully equipped kitchen, dining room and living room. Reserve with the Central National Parks Office.

This former lodge, where the Queen of England stayed in 1991, was bought by Amalinda and reopened in 2022. Its 11 comfortable chalets are arranged around a beautiful swimming pool. A large, well-decorated straw hut faces a water feature. Closer still, a platform and an underground observatory allow you to admire, up close, an abundant fauna: elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras... In the evening, you can dine on a beautiful terrace or in the middle of a kraal, while the fire crackles, a magical moment, supported by a very friendly team.

Matusadona National Park has three private camps, each accommodating 12 people. They are reserved for groups or families that know each other. The Emu and Mbalabala camps are located next to Tashinga, 55 km by boat from Kariba. Muuyu is established a little more in the northeast, in an area occupied by itself. Each camp consists of two family bungalows with 2 rooms with 3 beds each; they shall be fully equipped: bathroom, toilet, dining room, kitchen with crockery, hob, refrigerator; linen is also provided.

A great place to plant its tent or park its camping-because, with a few small, very basic rooms, only with a time-spent mattress and a lack of hygiene, this is the Caravan Park. For the shower and toilets, there is a block that lacks maintenance, with valves always spitting water at room temperature. Security is not assured, this place will serve as a break for campers, travelling preferably in group, with just one backpack that they always keep close to them to try no one. In the kitchen corner you can enjoy delicious local dishes and drinks are available at the Gweru Sports Club, the adjacent bar.

Here, there are no chalets or lodges, there is just a space to piquer its tent and admire the lake. The sites focus on water activities: mini-cruises, the children's pool and the braai, these famous barbecues inviting you to relax in a meal with family or friends; to facilitate things, meat and drinks are sold on site. The on-site bar restaurant deals with customer orders.

On the main road from Mutare to Bvumba Mountain, this guest house and its refined restaurant are located. The rooms in the cabin style, on the floor of the cottage which serves as the central unit, are simply exquisite. First, the Black & White, the smallest but they are already superb, then the Yellow and Red, larger. If you like building using natural materials, you're in the right place! The restaurant, on the ground floor, is open to the public for various meals, with coffee service.

At C Rose Lodge there is nothing transcendent, rooms with shower and toilet lack maintenance, good renovation would be welcome. Book last choice.

The varied accommodation is correct and sometimes equipped with a kitchenette with the necessary small equipment; curtains with elephants adorn the pieces. Hot water is provided by a sensible system of fourneaux (monkeys) that works in wood fire. The tower stretches to 50 km in the round and allows animals to be observed from the hill which houses the camp, and Sinamatella is the most pleasant of the three public camps in the Hwange National Park.

Kept by a couple of Italians, Garda, hosts customers for bed & Breakfast accommodation under traditional conical roofs. The rooms, double or twin beds, are good. The owners will tell you proudly that the houses have a television that captures several channels. The swimming pool and Italian accent will undoubtedly make it possible to spend a pleasant stay.

Imvelo Safari Lodges is a tour operator based in Bulawayo. They offer stays in their lodges and camps located in beautiful, unspoilt natural environments. Their commitment to protecting the environment and natural resources, as well as improving the lives of local people, is at the heart of their approach. Available lodges include Bomani Tented Lodge, Camelthorn Lodge, Nehimba Lodge and Jozibanini Camp.

Sango is made up of 4 chalets and 4 traditional tents, luxurious and very spacious, with a colonial style decoration. They are equipped with all the necessary amenities: minibar, private terrace, bathroom, sometimes with an open air shower. Each chalet has a little something that makes its charm, from the most beautiful bathroom to the most beautiful view on the surroundings. A real little paradise, but at a cost. Different activities are offered: rhino tracking, game walk, game drive, birdwatching..

Dzimbabwe Lodge is a rather upscale establishment, with a nice swimming pool and sunbathing area overlooking Lake Kariba. The rooms are very clean and have a dark but neat decoration, they have all the necessary comfort and some are real suites more prestigious. Breakfast can be ordered on site. For other meals, two large kitchens are available to guests. The establishment can organize various activities around the lake and has a houseboat, called the Freestate.

Campsites, rooms and family chalets at very reasonable prices; possibility to dine on site and take a drink at the local bar.

The 53 rooms in this hotel have been completely renovated since the new owners arrived in 2016. The building doesn't look like much from the road, but once inside you're in the most upscale hotel in town. The rooms, slightly decorated in the African style, are comfortable and well equipped. For relaxation, the hotel offers an outdoor pool next to which there is an open-air bar and a casino. Two restaurants are also on site.

There are several fully equipped 2-bedroom cottages available for rent to visitors, with kitchen and bathrooms. A shaded campsite has sanitary facilities and electrical points. The property is fenced so there is no problem during the day, but extreme caution should be exercised at night when hippos emerge from the lake to graze on the lawns. The large swimming pool is available to all residents and visitors. The restaurant and bar are surrounded by lush gardens and overlook the harbor.

Located in a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, Camp Hwange offers 8 comfort chalets, a décor in harmony with outdoor nature. Everything is done here to live a unique experience, go on safari with their activities in 4 x 4, on foot, day and night. Camp Hwange guides are recognized among the best in Africa. Designed for and by lovers of nature, wide spaces and authenticity, you will discover here with humility a world in which man finds his place. 

Banff Lodge, upstream from Hillside Dams, away from the city centre, offers a very pleasant setting: family atmosphere, green lawn, palm trees and a pretty swimming pool. The rooms have recently been renovated, they consist of double or twin beds and are equipped with antique furniture that blends into a modern decoration. The school organizes special evenings and sometimes invites groups live. The restaurants have beautiful and tempting menus and the New Orleans, open in the evening, has built a reputation in the Bulawayo restaurant landscape.

Kuimba Shiri is located on a nature site on the shores of Lake Chivero, and is also a bird park, a rehabilitation and conservation education center. The establishment has double and family rooms, with or without kitchen facilities, as well as camping sites. Even if the decoration and furnishings are rather basic, its location on the lake provides a charming setting for a wide range of activities: fishing, horseback riding, boat rides, and day trips.

It is first a hunting lodge, which accepts tourist tourist clients, when hunters do not occupy all the dwellings. The few rustic chalets are located on the banks of the Bubi, in a natural environment with swimming pool.

With its small traditional structures, sometimes equipped with a kitchenette, this lodge has some interesting advantages for a stay in the region, even if the service is random. Furthermore the rooms are correct and equipped with TV, fan and a small shower with WC. Outside, there is a garden and a well-protected parking lot.

The atmosphere is warm at the Pine Tree Inn, but the place dates a little. The hotel is comfortable, clean and easy to access. The thirteen rooms, decorated in English with the famous flower bed, all offer a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains, while the common rooms consist of a bar, lounge, dining room for the hotel's restaurant, and a terrace. Two rooms are connected to make it a family room. The garden is well-treated and peaceful.

Casa Kadiki is one of the most attractive guesthouses around Harare. Located in a large garden with small stores and cafes, it has a small swimming pool, beautiful rooms warmly decorated in different colors and styles. Some rooms are air-conditioned and the most comfortable ones have a whirlpool. They are all well equipped and some even have kitchenettes, but there are several restaurants in the area. The welcome is just like the place: warm.

Located on the outskirts of downtown, Burke's Paradise (formerly Backpackers Paradise), managed by Adam Burke, offers several categories of accommodations at very affordable rates. The site, which covers almost 5 hectares, is a small haven of peace and greenery. There are two ponds, a beautiful swimming pool and all the necessary camping amenities, including a shared kitchen. The rooms are simple, but functional and well kept. The atmosphere is friendly and family oriented, in short, a very good address. Free Internet access.

This hotel, on the road to Beitbridge, opened in 2022. It has no particular charm, but it can be convenient for a stopover and is well kept and well equipped. Its 20 rooms have a bathroom, satellite TV, Internet access, kettle and mini-refrigerator. The hotel offers a small swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant and room service. Again, nothing charming, but recent, clean, practical and functional. The staff is friendly.

Tembo Plains Camp is a safari camp located in Mana Pools. It has four suites, each with a sitting area, work area and outdoor dining area. They are also equipped with a wifi connection. The camp also boasts its own restaurant, wine cellar, spa and store. On site, you can enjoy game drives along the Zambezi River or in the Sapi Private Game Reserve.

This hotel in the center of Chegutu has air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV, Internet access, air conditioning and mini-fridge. They are arranged around a beautiful, well-kept garden. There is no restaurant on site, but meals can be prepared to order. Good value for money, just a stone's throw from the bus station.

A large hotel complex with conference rooms, standard rooms, lodges, villas, two restaurants, a cocktail bar and a night bar, a large swimming pool, a playground for children, a volleyball court, etc., all in the center of town. There is also a large garden, where peacocks frolic. The rooms are comfortable and well equipped: Internet access, satellite TV, minibar, kettle, bathroom.

It is a peaceful and reasonably priced place for those who wish to stay close to the park. The thatched main hall offers a dining area open to a small pool. The architecture is simple and natural with several categories of accommodation: the campsite, a basic room with a shower, or the tents on stilts, a must, nestled in the large trees of the estate, facing the wooded water. The campground is well maintained, with convenient shared sanitary facilities. Safaris by car, on foot and on horseback are offered.

This friendly and beautiful house, converted into a guesthouse, offers two options to the traveler: well appointed rooms in the main house with a common living room, or small apartments with private kitchen and living room in an annexed cottage. The garden is quiet, pleasant and dotted with animal sculptures and contains a small pool. The rooms are well equipped (minibars, internet, kettle, safe...). Light meals are available on request at noon.

This is Harare's backpackers, where young and younger people around the world cross in a friendly atmosphere around the bar with its attached lounge or in the common kitchen open to all. In the garden there is a small swimming pool and a big straw and the service is friendly. The neighborhood is one of the nicest in the city, with shops and restaurants in Avondale shopping center just 10 minutes walk from the lodge.

Seldomseen, in the heart of the Bvumba forest, has three fully equipped and comfortable cottages and a campsite. The place is friendly and invites you to discover the forest and its birdlife. Your guide will be happy to walk the trails to find the most beautiful specimens. It is not necessary to be a birdwatcher at heart to come. Any nature lover will be charmed by the walks in the forest and the quietness of the place.

This small lodge, in a well-kept, wooded and quiet garden a stone's throw from the centre of Chipinge, offers rooms with television and free wi-fi.

This establishment offers three types of accommodation: camping, rooms with two single beds or one double bed in the main house and 4 cottages suitable for 4 people, with family or friends. For more comfort, you should choose the Queen or King room (the best) inside the establishment, both spacious, clean and overlooking the garden. Food service is sometimes available on request, but it is better to bring your own meal and use the common kitchen. The staff is very friendly.

The Brondesbury reopened in September 2022, after a twenty-two year closure. There is still quite a bit of work to be done to get it back up and running, especially the exteriors and the cottages. As its name suggests, the hotel is located in a large park, which covers 22 hectares. For the time being, the refurbishment has mainly focused on the interiors of the main building. Nevertheless, the hotel keeps a rather British and old-fashioned charm, with its bar, its large lounge overlooking the garden, its period rooms... Some of them have a personal lounge.

The Pamuzinda is an ideal place for a family vacation. A restaurant open to a large swimming pool, deckchairs between sun and shade arranged around... Large and comfortable rooms, with a balcony, overlook the river or private gardens. The place is quiet and pleasant. In the immense reserve of the domain, you will be able to see lions in a secured enclosure, and elephants. You will be able to approach these pachyderms. The safaris by carand the walks in the wilderness are also with the appointment.

This spacious house, located at the exit of the village, in a nice garden, has 4 rooms: 2 doubles, a twin and a suite. They are simple but well kept. In addition to the breakfasts, you can have lunch or dinner on the spot, provided that you give a little notice. Barbara, the manager, is also the cook and she prepares good home-made dishes. She prepares even the bread and knows how to adapt to the desires and diets of the customers. The house also offers its own guiding service to discover the region.

This newly renovated hotel is part of the Zimparks network of accommodations and is located right at the entrance to the Chinhoyi Caves Recreation Park. Tiled rooms with tea and coffee making facilities, TV and free wi-fi are located in the building attached to the central unit where there is a bar, restaurant, terrace and swimming pool which has not undergone the same renovation as the rooms. This is a good value hotel and a good stopover on the way to Mana Pools.

In the same lineage and next to the Pamuzinda Safari Lodge, Chengeta is more affordable and also has many assets. Less than two hours from Harare, it is a family hotel made of wood and thatched roof, with a swimming pool and 16 lodges arranged in the garden behind the restaurant, and a family lodge for 5 people. Activities such as car safaris and horseback rides are available in their reserve, and live lions can be approached in the estate's secure enclosure. So you'll be sure to see some!

The road leading to the hotel already allows you to admire the landscape, but it is the arrival that is remarkable. Although the rooms are rather classical, the entrance hall lit by a light worthy of the greatest castles and opening on a huge glass roof leaves the visitor amazed. However here, it is the panorama that is breathtaking. A swimming pool in the heart of the hilly garden overlooks a golf course renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world. Leopard Rock has a lot to seduce the traveler. In fact, in 1953, Queen Elizabeth came to stay here.

Located in the south-east of the city, 5 minutes from the center, this small lodge offers 17 rooms with parquet or carpeted floors, equipped with bathrooms with shower or bathtub, satellite TV, Internet access, kettle. The bedding is neat, the rooms and the place are clean. The layout of the establishment allows you to park your car in a safe place. The establishment also has a restaurant and a conference room. A good deal for those on a light budget who still want the comfort of a hotel room.

This establishment opened in 2007 offers beautiful tiled rooms with double or single bed, comfortable bathroom, refrigerator, TV. There is also a restaurant. If the night surprises you, it's a correct stopover.

This comfortable lodge is located near Hornung Park, from which it takes its name. Quiet and pleasant with a beautiful garden, the pretty thatched cottages are equipped with all the necessities (kitchen, bathroom, Internet access, satellite TV). For small services, European adapters and a movie rental service are available to guests. Recreation and facilities include a swimming pool accessible from all cottages, a tennis court and a restaurant bar just for Hornung Park Lodge guests.

Tatenda Safaris Lodges seems to have experienced a few difficult years, but the quality is very low, but prices are particularly low for a hotel in Victoria Falls. The aging rooms in Africa have a minimum of comfort. The team, even under-staffed, warmly welcomes customers. The hotel has different types of vehicles and thus organizes safaris in the vicinity.

Located north of downtown, in an area called Athelone, this establishment offers a variety of rooms: some have their own bathroom, others share one. Small refrigerators are located in some rooms. Decorating was apparently not a high priority for the owners, but Tranquility is a good option for budget travelers and the neighborhood, as the lodge's name suggests, is quiet. The facility can also prepare meals on request. Free Internet access.

Very nice tent camp on the shores of the lake composed of 6 tents on a platform, with bathroom at the back. They all have a view of the lake and are located on a beautiful and well maintained wooded area. The lodge also has a small campground, a small swimming pool, a bar and a restaurant. It is possible to rent boats, to fish or to go hiking. A small paradise of peace and nature. Romelda is quite popular with the locals on weekends and during school vacations. It is therefore advisable to book in advance.

Amanzi Lodge is the meeting of beauty, well-being and African tradition, in a haven of peace. These luxurious rooms scattered in the splendid garden have all the necessary comfort. To relax with a massage, there is the fitness center, which also offers à la carte beauty treatments. There is also a swimming pool, a gym and a tennis court. To discover one of the best restaurants of the same name, the lodge arranges free transfers. Staying at Amanzi is a highly recommended luxury.