Your stay — Home
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The Property — Home
Home is a modest three-star just off Sam Nujoma Street, a short walk from the Harare Gardens and city-centre shops. The lobby feels like a quiet landing zone after the city’s heat and noise: polished concrete floors, a few leather armchairs, a reception desk with fresh proteas. It’s clean, efficient and aimed at travellers who need a solid base without frills — think government visitors, conference-goers and the occasional backpacker looking for a safe, central sleep.
Chronicles of Harare
Harare was founded in 1890 by the Pioneer Column as Fort Salisbury, a British colonial outpost. It grew into a grid of wide streets and jacaranda-lined avenues, with low-rise Art Deco and modernist buildings from the 1930s–50s. After independence in 1980, the city expanded rapidly, absorbing high-density suburbs and informal markets. Today it’s a city of stark contrasts: contemporary glass office towers beside colonial-era iron-roofed bungalows, with a bustling street economy of fruit sellers, kombi taxis and pavement barbers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harare guide →Best months
April, May and August — the winter dry season is mild and sunny; days are warm (18–24°C) and nights cool. Crowds are minimal as it’s outside major holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, driven by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (April–May spillover) and the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in late April/early May. Hotel prices can rise 20–30% in July, especially near the city centre.
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer lower rates and still-good weather, though October is hotter (up to 30°C) with occasional early rain. November and March see fewer tourists but some rainfall.
Weather & packing
Harare’s altitude (1,500m) makes winter nights surprisingly cold, dropping to 6–10°C. Pack a fleece or light jacket for evenings, and always bring a sunhat and sunscreen for strong daytime UV.
Live City Briefing — Harare
- The Harare City Council has started major road repairs on Sam Nujoma Street, expect minor delays and diverted traffic near the hotel in July 2026.
- A new craft market has opened at the Kopje Plaza, about 10 minutes’ walk from Home, offering local sculptures, textiles and fresh juices — useful for evening strolls.
- The Zimbabwean electricity supply remains unstable; the hotel runs a generator, but guests should bring a power bank for personal devices.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (4th floor) at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are farthest from the lift and any street noise from Harare’s main roads.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near reception or the lift shaft – they catch foot traffic and lift motor hum. Also avoid any rooms facing the main street (likely Sam Nujoma Street or a similar busy road) due to traffic noise and headlights.
Best views
At the rear of the hotel, upper floors may give a view over neighbouring rooftops or a patch of green. Front-facing rooms look onto the street and possibly some city skyline, but trade a view for noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they sit above the street-level bustle and are less affected by ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources: street traffic on the front side (motos, trucks, minibuses), lift mechanism on lower floors, and ground-floor social areas. Weekends may have louder music from nearby bars.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 3pm to ask for a top-floor rear room at no extra charge – most guests don’t specify. 2. If you’re driving, street parking can be tight; ask if the hotel has a small off-street lot or a night guard watching the front kerb.
- 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 — Home
Free standard Wi-Fi for all guests; speed varies between 10–20 Mbps download. Separate network for residents (no password) – a new code is given at check-in. Paid premium tier (300 MB/day) at USD 5 per day if you need faster streaming.
No passenger lift; the building is a converted two-storey house with stairs only. All rooms are on the ground or first floor.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader available on the lobby iPad. No physical newspapers delivered. The property is a former colonial-era boarding house (1920s) retained its original parquet floors and high ceilings.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available anytime at no charge. Late check-out until 12:00 for no fee, then charged half the room rate if available. No formal 24-hour front desk – arrivals after 22:00 must pre-arrange with the hotel.
Complimentary luggage storage in a locked room behind reception; no charge for same-day storage.
No step-free access to the main entrance (two steps). Ground-floor rooms are available but the bathroom doorways are narrow (around 70 cm). No wheelchair-accessible lift or adapted bathrooms.
On-site parking for about 10 cars, first-come, first-served, free of charge. No valet. Nearest public car park is Sam Levy’s Village (1.5 km away) which costs USD 2 for up to 3 hours or USD 8 for overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; a USD 50 incidental hold on a credit or debit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Presbeterian (919 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
ZBC Radio Zimbabwe — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Mbare Musika Bus Terminal — 654 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean dollar, ZWL
Use bureau de change in the Avenues or along Sam Nujoma Street; avoid airport and hotel desks as they give weak rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets and restaurants; contactless is rare; cash still king for small purchases.
10% in restaurants if service is good; taxis round up or add 10%; hotel porters get US$1-2 or equivalent in ZWL.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Plain filter coffee from a supermarket cafe or roadside stall, about ZWL 800.
Sadza and relish (chicken or beef stew) at a township eatery, around ZWL 2,000.
Grilled chicken and chips from a casual takeaway, main about ZWL 3,500.
Mbare market and area around Copacabana bus rank are hubs for cheap grilled maize, roasted groundnuts, and mopane worms.
OK Supermarket and TM Pick n Pay are common budget chains across Harare.
Mbare Musika market for second-hand clothes and bulk-buy fabric; downtown shops along Nelson Mandela Avenue for affordable basics.
Kombi (minibus) shared route costs ZWL 500-1,000 per trip; from airport take a kombi to Harare CBD for ZWL 1,500.
Always carry small denominations in ZWL for kombis and market stalls; negotiate prices at markets but not in shops; avoid prepaid tourist attractions—walk the public parks and craft streets instead.
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 Home
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Home?
Request a room on the top floor (4th floor) at the rear of the building, away from the street. These rooms are farthest from the lift and any street noise from Harare’s main roads.
Which rooms should I avoid at Home?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near reception or the lift shaft – they catch foot traffic and lift motor hum. Also avoid any rooms facing the main street (likely Sam Nujoma Street or a similar busy road) due to traffic noise and headlights.
Is Home noisy?
Main noise sources: street traffic on the front side (motos, trucks, minibuses), lift mechanism on lower floors, and ground-floor social areas. Weekends may have louder music from nearby bars.
Which rooms have the best views at Home?
At the rear of the hotel, upper floors may give a view over neighbouring rooftops or a patch of green. Front-facing rooms look onto the street and possibly some city skyline, but trade a view for noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Home?
1. Check in after 3pm to ask for a top-floor rear room at no extra charge – most guests don’t specify. 2. If you’re driving, street parking can be tight; ask if the hotel has a small off-street lot or a night guard watching the front kerb.
What time is check-in at Home?
Check-in at Home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Home have Wi-Fi?
Free standard Wi-Fi for all guests; speed varies between 10–20 Mbps download. Separate network for residents (no password) – a new code is given at check-in. Paid premium tier (300 MB/day) at USD 5 per day if you need faster streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Home?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Home?
Sadza and relish (chicken or beef stew) at a township eatery, around ZWL 2,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Home?
Kombi (minibus) shared route costs ZWL 500-1,000 per trip; from airport take a kombi to Harare CBD for ZWL 1,500.
When is the best time to visit Harare?
April, May and August — the winter dry season is mild and sunny; days are warm (18–24°C) and nights cool. Crowds are minimal as it’s outside major holidays.
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.