The best accommodations Zimbabwe

Budget & Tips

While a wide range of accommodation can be found in Zimbabwe, high-end accommodation remains much easier to find than low-end. The economic and political crises of the last twenty years have taken their toll on the vast majority of budget accommodation, and the adoption of the US dollar as the official currency has seen prices rise. Sleeping in Zimbabwe is not the bargain it was in the 1990s. On the other hand, the selection is very good; it's almost impossible to find a dirty room, mattresses are of good quality and bathrooms, almost without exception, are clean. Budget travelers are limited to backpacker dormitories in major tourist centers or camping, which is much easier to find, but requires a thick sleeping bag during the winter months.

Hotels. All major tourist centers have at least one hotel. Diversity is the hallmark of this category of accommodation: from large hotels with several hundred rooms to small family-run structures, from highly refined, even luxurious, comfort to the most basic. Each hotel offers one or more restaurants, depending on its accommodation capacity. In the vast majority of cases, the restaurant is open to the public. A swimming pool is often available, with varying degrees of comfort depending on the hotel. Golf is very popular in Zimbabwe, and there are some fine courses nearby, at affordable rates. To sum up, Zimbabwe's hotels may be expensive, but they are always impeccable, offering every comfort and a very high level of service. Please note: some "hotel" establishments are called " lodges ". Very fashionable and sometimes misused, the traveller will have no trouble distinguishing between the two after reading the descriptions of the various accommodations.

Bed & breakfast. B&Bs and guest houses form an intermediate category before hotels stricto sensu. They are often modest in size, and are set up on the initiative of local people who are starting out in tourism. The atmosphere is therefore more family-oriented. They are located in tourist centers. In more isolated areas, along paved roads, they take on the appearance of small farms. They offer a high level of comfort and personalized service, and their rates are generally lower than those of larger hotels.

Backpacker hostels. A backpacker is a youth hostel in English. These establishments are generally well-kept, clean, dynamic and well-equipped. The atmosphere is often festive in the evening and relaxed during the day. In general, activities and excursions are offered by the establishment. In Zimbabwe, these can be counted on the fingers of two hands, whereas in South Africa they are legion. Indeed, the "small volume, big income" tourism policy doesn't encourage visits by small budgets.

Campsites. This is obviously the least expensive form of accommodation. Camping is practiced in most tourist centers, whether urban, rural or in protected areas. Rates are often not calculated per pitch, but per person per night. In more remote areas, most camping sites are simply places to pitch a tent, with no infrastructure other than a sign indicating the location. The most popular ones have sanitary facilities, even a working shower and a barbecue area. The rule is absolute autonomy, including for water and electricity. In the parks, independent travellers should consult Zimparks for full details of the rules to be observed. However, many establishments - such as backpackers and lodges, in town, in the countryside or in protected areas - offer camping sites with very decent sanitary blocks with hot water, straw huts for shelter and warmth around an open fire, barbecue areas, and even offer to pitch the tent directly in the garden and take advantage of the shared facilities inside the establishment (sanitary facilities, lounge, kitchen).

Bush camps and lodges. A bush camp or lodge is a complete place to stay that goes far beyond the mere function of accommodation. Travellers come to spend several days (on average two or three nights) in a bush camp, mainly for the ecotourism activities it offers. In Zimbabwe, these activities are centered on the discovery of wildlife and, to a lesser extent, cultural encounters with the country's various peoples. Bush camps are, of course, accommodation and catering facilities. They are often canvas camps, ranging from the most rustic to the most luxurious, from the closest to nature to the most sophisticated, covering a large area. The atmosphere and clientele vary, partly according to these criteria, but for all camps, the service is highly professional and meticulous. Accommodation is always very comfortable, and food is of the highest quality. Lodges are sometimes located in the reserves themselves or in neighbouring, equally wild areas. They offer daily packages including accommodation, food and activities (except perhaps for a few exceptional activities). Needless to say, the prices charged remain high.

As with meals, accommodation prices vary widely. The tourist accommodation market favors comfortable to luxurious options, while budget accommodations are rarer. Whatever the price, the main advantage is cleanliness: dingy, dirty places are rare in Zimbabwe, and mattresses are also of good quality. Expect to pay 10 USD per person for camping, 30 to 60 USD for a basic room, 60 to 120 USD for a cosy nest with bathroom and over 200 USD for a luxurious room. Note that it's not uncommon for bush lodgings to be "all-inclusive", in which case rates rise to over 300 USD per person per day, including activities.

To be booked

Advance bookings, while always advisable, are not mandatory in the majority of Zimbabwean destinations, and unannounced travel can be achieved quite easily for flexible travelers. The exceptions to this rule are the national parks where, for logistical reasons, one cannot arrive unannounced. In fact, establishments far from the city need to know exactly when their guests are arriving and departing in order to organize transfers and to stock up on food accordingly. Using an agency or a tour operator to take care of all the arrangements can make the job easier.