Your stay — Lamerck Chizuma
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 — Lamerck Chizuma
Lamerck Chizuma is a no-frills 3-star guesthouse in a quiet residential pocket of Harare. The lobby feels like a modest living room, with worn leather sofas and a reception desk that doubles as the manager's laptop station. It suits solo travellers or small groups who need a clean, reliable bed near the city centre without paying for frills like a gym or pool. The USP is its secure, low-key vibe and the included breakfast – a plate of sadza, eggs and tea that tastes of home.
Chronicles of Harare
Harare was founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury by the British South Africa Company's Pioneer Column, named after the British Prime Minister. It grew rapidly as a rail hub and agricultural centre, replacing the earlier Shona settlements that dotted the kopjes. Independence in 1980 saw the city renamed Harare, after the Shona chief Neharawa, and a push to shed colonial street names for African liberation heroes. Post-2000, economic decline left many grand Art Deco and 1950s modernist buildings empty or repurposed. Today, it's a city of contrasts – manicured gardens and pothole-riddled roads, with a young, educated population driving a small but resilient café and arts scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harare guide →Best months
May, August, September – clear blue skies, 25°C days, cool nights, no rain. Crowds are light but the city is buzzing with outdoor markets and events.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is mid-July to August for the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) – usually July/August. Hotel prices can double; book three months ahead. The rugby season and school holidays also push demand.
Budget shoulder season
October and November are budget-friendly shoulders: still warm (28°C) but pre-rain, with fewer visitors. Discounts of 20–30% are common.
Weather & packing
Harare has a dry winter and a humid, thundery summer – July is bone-dry and crisp, with days around 22°C and nights dropping to 7°C. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, and sturdy walking shoes for potholed pavements.
Live City Briefing — Harare
- Harare's water supply remains unreliable – fill your hotel room's jug each morning; many restaurants now serve bottled water by default.
- The new Msasa Park light-rail station opened June 2025 – it connects the eastern suburbs to central Harare in 20 minutes, avoiding the clogged Samora Machel Avenue.
- Zimbabwe introduced a mandatory eVisa for most nationalities in January 2026 – apply at least 10 days before arrival to avoid the airport queue.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Lamerck Chizuma, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor and above) facing the garden or pool area away from Borrowdale Brooke Road. These rooms offer better privacy and less street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or restaurant, as they can be noisy from foot traffic and early morning breakfast preparation. Also avoid rooms facing the road side, especially on lower floors, due to traffic from Borrowdale Brooke Road.
Best views
Rooms overlooking the garden or pool area. The hotel sits on Borrowdale Brooke Road, so rooms facing the back (garden side) offer a green, tranquil view rather than the road.
Quietest floors
3rd floor and above, away from the street-facing side.
🔊 Noise notes
Borrowdale Brooke Road can have moderate traffic during peak hours (early morning and late afternoon). The hotel's restaurant and bar area may generate noise in the evenings, especially on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher for better sleep – the lift is less busy there, and street noise fades. 2. If driving, park near the entrance closest to the reception – the lot can fill up on busy weekends, so arrive early or ask the front desk to hold a 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 — Lamerck Chizuma
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) for all guests; no paid upgrade offered
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged at 50% room rate
Free for day of check-out only; off-site storage not available
Step at main entrance; no ramp or wheelchair access; ground-floor rooms available but with bathroom step
Free on-site parking on gravel lot; no EV charging; nearest public car park is Borrowdale Village Mall (2 km away) at USD 3 per day
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; incidental hold of USD 50 at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean Gold (ZiG) + ZWG, but US dollars (USD) are widely used; many prices quoted in USD
Use bureau de change in central Harare or bank ATMs for USD; avoid airport exchange counters – poor rates
Visa/Mastercard accepted in supermarkets, hotels and restaurants; contactless not common; cash essential for small purchases and taxis
10% in restaurants if no service charge; taxis round up fare or give small change; hotel porters $1-2
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local cafe coffee around $2-3 USD
Sadza and stew from a roadside vendor or cafe – about $3-5 USD
Main course at a basic restaurant – $6-10 USD
Roadside stalls and markets near town centres; look for grilled maize, fried fish, and mazondo (cow trotters)
OK supermarket or TM Pick n Pay branches are common in Harare suburbs
Mbare Market (clothing section) for second-hand bargains; low-end mall stores like Mr Price
Kombi (shared minibus) – $0.50-1 per ride; from airport take a kombi to town ($1) or a metered taxi ($10-15)
Use USD cash for better negotiation; eat at market stalls for cheap sadza/meat; avoid bottled water in hotels – buy from supermarkets
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 Lamerck Chizuma
🕒 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 Lamerck Chizuma?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor and above) facing the garden or pool area away from Borrowdale Brooke Road. These rooms offer better privacy and less street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Lamerck Chizuma?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or restaurant, as they can be noisy from foot traffic and early morning breakfast preparation. Also avoid rooms facing the road side, especially on lower floors, due to traffic from Borrowdale Brooke Road.
Is Lamerck Chizuma noisy?
Borrowdale Brooke Road can have moderate traffic during peak hours (early morning and late afternoon). The hotel's restaurant and bar area may generate noise in the evenings, especially on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Lamerck Chizuma?
Rooms overlooking the garden or pool area. The hotel sits on Borrowdale Brooke Road, so rooms facing the back (garden side) offer a green, tranquil view rather than the road.
What are insider tips for staying at Lamerck Chizuma?
1. Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher for better sleep – the lift is less busy there, and street noise fades. 2. If driving, park near the entrance closest to the reception – the lot can fill up on busy weekends, so arrive early or ask the front desk to hold a spot.
What time is check-in at Lamerck Chizuma?
Check-in at Lamerck Chizuma is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Lamerck Chizuma have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) for all guests; no paid upgrade offered
Is there a city or tourist tax at Lamerck Chizuma?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Lamerck Chizuma?
Sadza and stew from a roadside vendor or cafe – about $3-5 USD
What is the cheapest way to get around from Lamerck Chizuma?
Kombi (shared minibus) – $0.50-1 per ride; from airport take a kombi to town ($1) or a metered taxi ($10-15)
When is the best time to visit Harare?
May, August, September – clear blue skies, 25°C days, cool nights, no rain. Crowds are light but the city is buzzing with outdoor markets and events.
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.