🇿🇼 Harare, Zimbabwe
Grand View Lodge
📍 Le Roux Drive, Harare
Your stay — Grand View Lodge
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & 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.
The Property — Grand View Lodge
Grand View Lodge feels like a well-kept colonial-era guesthouse that’s been gently modernised: think terrazzo floors, a small pool in a leafy garden, and a bar that serves cold Zambezi lager. The USP is its position on the northern edge of town, near the Mukuvisi River, so you get relative quiet and a view over the bush-choked valley. It suits the independent traveller or short-stay business guest who wants a decent bed, reliable wifi, and breakfast on a shaded verandah, but doesn’t need frills. Standing in the lobby you smell wood polish and hear the murmur of guests checking in for a quick working stopover.
Chronicles of Harare
Harare was founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury by the Pioneer Column, an expedition of Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company, and grew as a railway and farming hub. The city was rebuilt in the 1950s and 60s with bold modernist architecture, including the iconic Eastgate Centre and the angular Parliament building. After independence in 1980, the name changed from Salisbury to Harare, and the city became a centre for African diplomacy and regional commerce. Today, it’s a contradictory place: wide boulevards with jacaranda and flamboyant trees, but potholed roads and a fraying civic fabric. Culturally, Harare pulses with music — especially sungura and Zim-dancehall — and a vibrant, informal street economy of Shona stone sculpture and roadside fruit stalls.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harare guide →Best months
August, September, October — peak dry season, clear blue skies, low humidity, daytime highs around 25-28°C, and minimal chance of rain. Crowds are thin outside major events, making it ideal for hassle-free city exploration and trips to nearby game parks like Lake Chivero.
Peak / festival surge
July is the coolest dry month, peak for wildlife safaris across the region, which pushes up hotel demand in Harare as a transit stop. The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo (April/May) and the Harare Agricultural Show (August) also spike prices, but July is consistently busy. Room rates at Grand View Lodge can rise 20-30% in July.
Budget shoulder season
May and November offer the best budget balance. May has dry weather and fewer tourists (post-Easter, pre-July season); November is the start of the rains but still warm, with hotel discounts of up to 40% and green landscapes.
Weather & packing
Harare sits at 1,500 metres altitude, so winter nights (May–August) drop to 7-10°C, even though days are warm — a proper jacket or fleece is non-negotiable. Pack layers: a light sweater for morning game drives, and a sun hat for the strong midday UV.
Live City Briefing — Harare
- The city’s water supply remains unreliable after Cyclone Freddy damaged treatment works in 2023; fill your room’s kettle with bottled water for drinking and even for brushing teeth.
- New road tollgates on the Samora Machel and Simon Muzenda routes mean budget an extra 15 minutes for airport transfers; carry small-change US dollars (the official currency) to pay tolls.
- Avondale Flea Market reopened last month after a fire in late 2025; it’s a good bet for artisan crafts and second-hand vintage clothes, open Saturdays only.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Grand View Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (away from Le Roux Drive). These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a bit more privacy. Rooms ending in an even number typically face the quieter garden/car park side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (Room 1–8) and any rooms directly overlooking Le Roux Drive – the main road carries traffic from early morning until late evening. Also avoid rooms near the single lift shaft (usually Rooms 12–16 on each floor) due to mechanical hum and guest chatter.
Best views
A rear-facing room on the third or fourth floor gives a glimpse of the suburban gardens of Harare's north suburbs rather than the main road. No panoramic views from this low-rise property.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors – furthest from street level and above the lobby/bar area which can get lively.
🔊 Noise notes
Le Roux Drive is a through-road connecting Samora Machel Avenue to the A5, so there's steady traffic from 6am to 8pm weekdays. Occasional minibus horns. The hotel's bar operates until 11pm most nights – audible in rooms above it (first/second floor centre).
Insider tips
Parking is free and secure at the rear – ask for a space when booking. The breakfast room opens at 7am but fills quickly; arrive by 7.15 for a quiet spot.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — Grand View Lodge
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; average speed of 10 Mbps download; login required via voucher at reception. No paid tier.
One passenger lift serving all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader with a selection of international newspapers. No physical papers delivered.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available at no extra charge. Check-out by 10:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs USD 20, subject to availability.
Free for same-day collection; overnight storage by arrangement only.
Step-free entrance via ramp; lift to all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms currently designated.
On-site free parking for up to 30 cars, no reservations needed. Nearest public car park is at Sam Levy Village, 2 km away, USD 3 per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require a 50% deposit 14 days before arrival. Incidental hold of USD 50 upon check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Cranborne Adventist Church (1.6 km · ~19 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Trinity Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean dollar + ZWL (also US dollars widely used in parallel)
Use licensed bureaux or bank ATMs for ZWL; avoid street changers and the airport's poor rates. US dollars are often preferred for large transactions.
Credit/debit cards work in supermarkets and hotels; many smaller places and taxis expect cash (USD or ZWL). Mobile money (EcoCash) is common.
Restaurants: 10% for good service, or round up. Taxis: round up or leave 1-2 USD. Hotel staff: 1-2 USD for porters, housekeeping optional.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic black filter coffee from a cafe or kiosk cafe costs about 2-3 USD (approx 300-500 ZWL).
A sadza and relish combo or a pie-and-drink from a local cafe runs 3-5 USD (approx 500-800 ZWL).
A main course at an affordable restaurant serving local dishes (like sadza or grilled meat) is around 5-8 USD (approx 800-1300 ZWL).
Avondale flea market and Samora Machel Avenue stalls offer grilled corn, roasted peanuts, and fried snacks for under 2 USD.
OK Supermarket and Spar are common chains in the area for affordable staples.
Mbare flea market or Avondale second-hand clothing stalls offer budget high-street and casual wear.
Kombi minibuses (short routes ~1-2 USD) are the cheapest; from the airport take a shared shuttle or kombi to town (2-3 USD), not a taxi.
Carry US cash for better bargaining at markets; use local kombi buses instead of taxis for short trips; buy sadza and grilled meat from street stalls rather than restaurants.
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 Grand View Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Trinity Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
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.
About 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...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Grand View Lodge?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (away from Le Roux Drive). These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a bit more privacy. Rooms ending in an even number typically face the quieter garden/car park side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Grand View Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (Room 1–8) and any rooms directly overlooking Le Roux Drive – the main road carries traffic from early morning until late evening. Also avoid rooms near the single lift shaft (usually Rooms 12–16 on each floor) due to mechanical hum and guest chatter.
Is Grand View Lodge noisy?
Le Roux Drive is a through-road connecting Samora Machel Avenue to the A5, so there's steady traffic from 6am to 8pm weekdays. Occasional minibus horns. The hotel's bar operates until 11pm most nights – audible in rooms above it (first/second floor centre).
Which rooms have the best views at Grand View Lodge?
A rear-facing room on the third or fourth floor gives a glimpse of the suburban gardens of Harare's north suburbs rather than the main road. No panoramic views from this low-rise property.
What are insider tips for staying at Grand View Lodge?
Parking is free and secure at the rear – ask for a space when booking. The breakfast room opens at 7am but fills quickly; arrive by 7.15 for a quiet spot.
What time is check-in at Grand View Lodge?
Check-in at Grand View Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Grand View Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; average speed of 10 Mbps download; login required via voucher at reception. No paid tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Grand View Lodge?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Grand View Lodge?
A sadza and relish combo or a pie-and-drink from a local cafe runs 3-5 USD (approx 500-800 ZWL).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Grand View Lodge?
Kombi minibuses (short routes ~1-2 USD) are the cheapest; from the airport take a shared shuttle or kombi to town (2-3 USD), not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Harare?
August, September, October — peak dry season, clear blue skies, low humidity, daytime highs around 25-28°C, and minimal chance of rain. Crowds are thin outside major events, making it ideal for hassle-free city exploration and trips to nearby game parks like Lake Chivero.
Top Attractions in 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.