Where to Stay in Zimbabwe Beyond Victoria Falls

Planning stays across Zimbabwe

Many trips start at Victoria Falls, but Zimbabwe is a large country and the places worth seeing are spread out. Choosing where to stay at each stop, and for how long, makes the difference between a relaxed trip and one spent mostly on the road.

Here is what to expect from accommodation in the places travellers most often add to a Victoria Falls trip.

Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe’s largest national park is a few hours from Victoria Falls by road. Accommodation is mostly safari lodges and camps, inside the park or close to its boundaries. Staying at least two nights gives you time for several game drives.

Lake Kariba

Around Lake Kariba you will find lakeside lodges and hotels, as well as houseboats that let you stay out on the water. Kariba suits travellers who want sunsets, fishing and a slower pace.

Mana Pools

Mana Pools is remote, and accommodation is mainly in camps along the Zambezi. It takes planning to reach, so it fits best into a longer itinerary.

Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city, has hotels and guesthouses and makes a good base for the Matobo Hills to the south. In the hills themselves there are lodges set among the granite kopjes.

Masvingo and Great Zimbabwe

Masvingo is the nearest town to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, with places to stay in town and near the site. One or two nights is usually enough to explore the ruins without rushing.

Harare

The capital has the widest range of accommodation in the country, from business hotels to guesthouses. It is the main international gateway, so it often works as the first or last night of a trip.

Mutare and Nyanga

The Eastern Highlands are cooler and greener than much of the country. Mutare has hotels and guesthouses, while Nyanga has lodges and cottages in the mountains, good for walking and a quieter stay.

Tips for planning where to stay

• Allow for distance: Road journeys between these places can take most of a day, so plan fewer, longer stays.
• Mix your stays: Pair a few nights in a lodge with simpler stays in town to balance comfort and budget.
• Reserve remote places first: Places like Mana Pools have fewer options, so secure them early.
• Compare like with like: Some rates include meals and activities and others are room-only, so check what is included.

Putting it together

A common route links Victoria Falls with Hwange, then continues to Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills and on to Great Zimbabwe. Tell us how many days you have and we will suggest where to stay along the way.