Votre séjour — Masonic Homes
Prévisions en direct pour vos dates · Quoi de neuf · Qualité de l'air et pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Harare.
La propriété — Masonic Homes
The Masonic Homes sits quietly in Avondale, with a faded-colonial lobby of polished terrazzo floors and heavy wood furniture. It's a no-frills 3-star that trades on reliability rather than style: expect clean rooms, a small pool, and a restaurant that does a solid sadza-and-gravy lunch. Best for the practical traveller — visiting family, on business, or needing a safe, central base without paying for frills.
Chroniques de Harare
Harare was founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury, a British colonial settlement named after Lord Salisbury, then UK Prime Minister. It became a planned city with wide boulevards and jacaranda-lined streets, and its modernist high-rises from the 1960s and 70s — the Reserve Bank tower, the Eastgate Centre — still define the skyline. After independence in 1980, the city renamed itself Harare after the local Shona chief Neharawa, and today it's a bustling hub of markets, art galleries, and the sprawling Mbare township. Contemporary Harare is known for its vibrant visual arts scene, controversial statues (like the Unity Square monument), and a nightlife that ranges from live jazz at the Book Café to beer gardens in Avondale.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Guide complet de Harare →Meilleurs mois
May, August, September: cool, dry winter days (20-25°C), clear skies, and fewer tourists than peak July. Best for city walks and game-viewing day trips.
Peak / Festival surge
July is the absolute peak because of the cold, dry winter — perfect for safaris in Hwange and Lake Kariba. Hotel occupancy hits 90%+ and prices double from off-peak. The annual Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) usually runs in April or May, adding domestic crowds.
La saison des épaules
April and October offer mild weather, lower hotel rates (30-40% off peak), and thin crowds. October is spring, hotting up but still dry, before the rains start in November.
Météo & Emballage
Harare's climate is subtropical highland — warm days, cool nights, no humidity. Pack layers: shorts and T-shirts for daytime, a light jacket or fleece for after sundown, and definitely a hat and sunscreen for the intense winter sun.
Briefing de la ville — Harare
- Roadworks: The major Simon Muzenda Street widening project continues through 2026, causing delays between the CBD and Avondale. Allow extra 20 minutes for transfers.
- New flight route: Qatar Airways just launched a direct Doha-Harare service four times weekly from March 2026, making connections from Europe easier.
- Currency note: Zimbabwe now uses a dual system of US dollars and ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold), but most hotels and restaurants quote in USD — bring small US notes and exact change for taxis.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Masonic Homes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may experience more street noise from Burton Road. Also, consider a room facing the internal courtyard for a more peaceful view.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or near the service entrance, as they may be prone to noise from deliveries and staff activity.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel is on a busy road, so there's no exceptional view to request. However, a room on the higher floors will provide a better view of the surrounding area.
Quietest floors
2nd to 4th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may hear noise from the street, especially during rush hour. The hotel's lift is also situated near the main entrance, which may cause some disturbance.
Insider tips
Arrive early for check-in to ensure a smooth process. If you're driving, note that parking is available on site, but it's best to reserve a spot in advance, especially during peak season.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hôtel Facilités — Masonic Homes
free basic tier (2 Mbps), paid upgrade to fibre-optic tier (100 Mbps) at ZWL 50 per day
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), physical newspapers available upon request
check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop from 08:00, late check-out until 12:00 noon (ZWL 100)
available for guests departing later than 18:00, ZWL 50 per bag per 24 hours
step-free access throughout, wheelchair entries at main entrance, adapted rooms available on request
on-site parking available, ZWL 50 per night, nearest public car park at Samora Machel Avenue, ZWL 20 per hour
Frais, taxes et dépôts
City / tourist tax: USD 2 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: ZWL 200 advance deposit + incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary à proximité
- Church: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Synagogue: Harare Hebrew Congegation (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Style de vie et récréation
Rowland Park — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5 minutes de radios essentielles
Nearest — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Monnaie & Monnaie
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL)
Currency exchange bureaux at Robert Mugabe International Airport typically offer poor exchange rates; it's better to exchange money at local banks or use an ATM with a withdrawal fee.
Credit cards and mobile payment methods are widely accepted in major establishments, but cash is preferred for smaller transactions; contactless payments are not common.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service; 5-10 ZWL for taxi drivers, 5-10% in restaurants, and 10-20 ZWL for hotel staff.
Manger, faire du shopping et voyager sur un budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a cup of coffee for around 5-10 ZWL at a local café or street vendor.
A plate of sadza (traditional Zimbabwean dish) with meat or vegetables costs around 20-30 ZWL at a local eatery.
A budget-friendly dinner option is a meal at a local restaurant, with a main course costing around 50-70 ZWL.
Street food stalls are common in the Harare Gardens area, offering affordable options like grilled meats and vegetables.
Local supermarkets like OK and Spar have branches in the area, offering a wide range of products.
Affordable clothing options can be found at local markets like the Mbare Musika market.
A single bus fare costs around 2-3 ZWL, and a day pass is not available; taxis are a more expensive option.
Use public transportation, which is affordable and efficient.Eat at local eateries or street food stalls for a fraction of the cost of restaurants.Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaux for poor exchange rates.
Emergency Contacts
HarareFrom a landline, dial 999. From a mobile, 112 works for all emergencies. For non-urgent police assistance, call 0242 700 914.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Harare, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Masonic Homes
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →S’entourer
Roadside stop near Udinge Residence (Samora Machel Ave or 4th Street) → Central Harare or Mbare
💡 Squeeze into a pale-blue kombi heading to 'Town' or 'Fourth Street' if you're on a budget. Flag it by raising one finger. Carry small notes — no change given. Not for first-time visitors new to hand-over cash etiquette.
Udinge Residence → Chitungwiza or surrounding suburbs
💡 ZUPCO buses are government-run and slightly more orderly than kombis. Route K serves central Harare from the bus rank near Mbare. Buy your ticket from the desk, not the tout. Expect long queues for popular routes.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) → Udinge Residence, Harare
💡 Pre-book via Udinge reception. Cheaper than hailing a cab at arrivals — drivers there often quote USD 40+ for the same ride.
Udinge Residence → Anywhere in central Harare
💡 Vaya is Zimbabwe's Uber equivalent — cash is king, but pay in local ZWL if you have it; drivers prefer USD for short trips. Hwindi is more reliable outside peak hours.
À propos de Harare
Wikipedia ↗
Harare ( hə-RAR-ay) is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 982.3 km2 (379.3 sq mi), a population of 1,849,600 as of the 2022 census, and an estimated 2,487,209 people in its metropolitan province. The city is situated in north-eastern Zimbabwe in the country's Ma...
Questions fréquemment posées
What are the best rooms at Masonic Homes?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay, as the lower floors may experience more street noise from Burton Road. Also, consider a room facing the internal courtyard for a more peaceful view.
Which rooms should I avoid at Masonic Homes?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or near the service entrance, as they may be prone to noise from deliveries and staff activity.
Is Masonic Homes noisy?
Guests may hear noise from the street, especially during rush hour. The hotel's lift is also situated near the main entrance, which may cause some disturbance.
Which rooms have the best views at Masonic Homes?
Unfortunately, the hotel is on a busy road, so there's no exceptional view to request. However, a room on the higher floors will provide a better view of the surrounding area.
What are insider tips for staying at Masonic Homes?
Arrive early for check-in to ensure a smooth process. If you're driving, note that parking is available on site, but it's best to reserve a spot in advance, especially during peak season.
What time is check-in at Masonic Homes?
Check-in at Masonic Homes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Masonic Homes have Wi-Fi?
free basic tier (2 Mbps), paid upgrade to fibre-optic tier (100 Mbps) at ZWL 50 per day
Is there a city or tourist tax at Masonic Homes?
USD 2 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Masonic Homes?
A plate of sadza (traditional Zimbabwean dish) with meat or vegetables costs around 20-30 ZWL at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Masonic Homes?
A single bus fare costs around 2-3 ZWL, and a day pass is not available; taxis are a more expensive option.
When is the best time to visit Harare?
May, August, September: cool, dry winter days (20-25°C), clear skies, and fewer tourists than peak July. Best for city walks and game-viewing day trips.
Principales attractions à Harare
💡 Avoid after dark—it empties out and can feel unsafe. Morning visits are calm, and you'll often see locals doing tai chi or yoga on the lawns.
💡 Go with a local or a guide—the area can feel isolated, and muggings have happened. Better to go on a weekend afternoon when other visitors are around, or join a walking tour group.
💡 Go early (7 am) for the best produce and less crowding. Keep your wallet hidden and camera discreet—it's safe but busy. Try a roasted maize cob from a vendor for 50 US cents.
💡 Get a kombi from Copacabana rank (cheap, frequent) or drive. Wear sturdy shoes—the rock can be slippery if there's been rain. No entrance fee, but a small levy for car parking.
💡 Go on a weekday morning to have the galleries almost to yourself. The sculpture garden out back is free to wander without a ticket.