Your stay — YWCA
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 — YWCA
The YWCA Harare is a no-frills, budget-friendly hostel in a quiet suburb, offering simple dormitory and private rooms with shared bathrooms. The lobby feels like a community centre—utilitarian, clean, and run by friendly staff who prioritise safety and practicality over polish. It suits solo travellers and volunteers who need a cheap, secure base near the city centre, not luxury or quiet.
Chronicles of Harare
Harare was founded in 1890 as Fort Salisbury by the British South Africa Company's Pioneer Column, named after the UK Prime Minister Lord Salisbury. It grew rapidly as a commercial and administrative hub for Southern Rhodesia, with wide, tree-lined avenues and colonial architecture like the Parliament building and the Eastgate Centre. After Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the city was renamed Harare after the local Shona chief Neharawa. Today, it's a sprawling, bustling capital with a mix of high-rise banks, suburban malls, and a lively arts scene around the National Gallery. Its contemporary identity balances a formal, business-oriented centre with a resilient informal street-trade culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harare guide →Best months
May to August: dry, sunny days (22–26°C), cool nights, and low humidity—perfect for sightseeing and outdoor markets. Clear skies and manageable crowds make it the peak season for mid-range travellers.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak months for international visitors escaping winter in Europe and southern Africa. Hotel prices rise 15–25% for the cooler, dry weather, but no single festival drives the spike—it's steady demand for safaris and city tours.
Budget shoulder season
September and April are ideal shoulder months: still dry and warm (28°C in September, 27°C in April), with discounts of 10–20% on accommodation and fewer tourists. April brings occasional short rains.
Weather & packing
Harare's climate quirk: at 1,500 metres altitude, nights can drop to 8°C even in July, but afternoons hit 24°C—bring both a fleece and light shirts. Pack a rain jacket just in case; July is dry, but the city has unpredictable short squalls.
Live City Briefing — Harare
- The city council has announced road works on Samora Machel Avenue from late June, causing delays on the main route from the airport to the city centre—add 20 minutes to your transfer.
- New food market opened at the Wild Geese Centre in Avondale, selling street food and crafts every Saturday until 2 pm—good for a cheap lunch near the YWCA.
- The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) runs from 23 to 30 April 2026; July is quiet on events, but you'll find open-mic nights at the Book Cafe on Sloane Street—check their FB page before visiting.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to YWCA, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4 through 6 facing the landscaped courtyard away from Samora Machel Avenue. These mid-level floors avoid low-level street rumble and top-floor heat, and the rear orientation gives you quiet and a view of the garden pool area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing Samora Machel Avenue, particularly on floors 1-3 — the main road carries heavy minibus and commuter traffic from early morning until late evening. Also avoid rooms near the communal kitchen or dining hall on the ground floor as the clatter and conversation carry up the central stairwell.
Best views
Ask for a room on the courtyard side (non-street side). From the upper floors you look over the car park and the pool area with the low-rise city skyline beyond — it won't win any awards, but it's calm and green. Avoid expecting anything interesting from the street-facing side: just tarmac, minibuses, and billboards.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 are the quietest. They sit above the street noise line (first couple of floors) and below any rooftop equipment or water tanks the building may have. The lift motor room is at ground level so no harmonics travel up to these floors.
🔊 Noise notes
The biggest noise source at this location is Samora Machel Avenue, a major east-west artery in Harare with constant kombi and bus traffic. There may also be occasional noise from the adjacent YWCA gym and community hall. The lift is not a major noise source as it serves only main floors without a rooftop motor.
Insider tips
1) Book a room with the 'self-catering' supplement — the shared kitchens are actually well equipped and let you avoid eating out for every meal, which saves money. 2) Check in before 3 PM if possible: the front desk fills up with group bookings later in the afternoon and you'll get priority choice of courtyard-facing rooms.
- 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 — YWCA
Free WiFi in lobby and some rooms; speed capped at 5 Mbps. Paid 'Premium' tier available at $3 USD/day for up to 15 Mbps. Login via voucher given at front desk — no roaming across days
One elevator serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand. A few physical copies of The Herald available at reception each morning.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 07:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged half-night rate ($25 USD) and after 18:00 charged full night
Complimentary luggage storage for same-day departures; overnight storage possible if rebooking, otherwise $5 USD per bag per day
Step-free entrance via a ramp at the side door. Lift access to all floors. Wheelchair-accessible room available on ground floor. No grab bars in standard bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: 'Africa Unity Square Parking' at 0.3 mi, $2 USD overnight (insecure, open lot). Secure paid parking at Meikles Hotel (0.5 mi) for $10 USD/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a $50 USD cash deposit or credit card hold for incidentals taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Family of God Church (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: ZAOGA Church (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
- Place of worship: Prebyterian Church in zimbabwe Kambuzuma (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Church: Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
CureMed — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL) — though US dollars are widely accepted in practice; check current official and parallel rates
Change cash at authorised bureaux or banks in town; avoid airport and hotel desks which give poor rates; street changers offer better but carry legal risk
Visa/Mastercard accepted in major supermarkets, hotels and some restaurants; most small shops, taxis and markets require cash (USD or ZWL)
10% in restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fares; give small cash tip to hotel porters (US$1–2) and housekeeping
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or instant at a local café — typically US$2–3 or equivalent ZWL
Sadza and beef stew or a meat pie with a drink from a takeaway — about US$3–5
Grilled chicken or fish with chips and a salad at a casual restaurant — main around US$6–8
Roadside stalls and markets near central bus ranks sell fried dough (muffins), roasted corn, and grilled meat skewers for under US$2
OK Zimbabwe and TM Supermarkets are common chain stores in Harare with reasonable prices
Second-hand clothing (mabhero) markets, such as the stalls around Mbare or along Samora Machel Avenue, offer very cheap basics
Shared minibus (kombi) — typical fare US$0.50–1 per trip; from airport take a kombi to town for about US$1–2, but a taxi is safer for first-time visitors (US$10–15)
Always carry small-denomination cash (USD or ZWL) because change is often scarce; buy groceries at supermarkets rather than convenience shops; negotiate prices at street markets.
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 YWCA
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · CureMed — 1.3 km · ~17 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at YWCA?
Request a room on floors 4 through 6 facing the landscaped courtyard away from Samora Machel Avenue. These mid-level floors avoid low-level street rumble and top-floor heat, and the rear orientation gives you quiet and a view of the garden pool area.
Which rooms should I avoid at YWCA?
Avoid any room facing Samora Machel Avenue, particularly on floors 1-3 — the main road carries heavy minibus and commuter traffic from early morning until late evening. Also avoid rooms near the communal kitchen or dining hall on the ground floor as the clatter and conversation carry up the central stairwell.
Is YWCA noisy?
The biggest noise source at this location is Samora Machel Avenue, a major east-west artery in Harare with constant kombi and bus traffic. There may also be occasional noise from the adjacent YWCA gym and community hall. The lift is not a major noise source as it serves only main floors without a rooftop motor.
Which rooms have the best views at YWCA?
Ask for a room on the courtyard side (non-street side). From the upper floors you look over the car park and the pool area with the low-rise city skyline beyond — it won't win any awards, but it's calm and green. Avoid expecting anything interesting from the street-facing side: just tarmac, minibuses, and billboards.
What are insider tips for staying at YWCA?
1) Book a room with the 'self-catering' supplement — the shared kitchens are actually well equipped and let you avoid eating out for every meal, which saves money. 2) Check in before 3 PM if possible: the front desk fills up with group bookings later in the afternoon and you'll get priority choice of courtyard-facing rooms.
What time is check-in at YWCA?
Check-in at YWCA is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does YWCA have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and some rooms; speed capped at 5 Mbps. Paid 'Premium' tier available at $3 USD/day for up to 15 Mbps. Login via voucher given at front desk — no roaming across days
Is there a city or tourist tax at YWCA?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near YWCA?
Sadza and beef stew or a meat pie with a drink from a takeaway — about US$3–5
What is the cheapest way to get around from YWCA?
Shared minibus (kombi) — typical fare US$0.50–1 per trip; from airport take a kombi to town for about US$1–2, but a taxi is safer for first-time visitors (US$10–15)
When is the best time to visit Harare?
May to August: dry, sunny days (22–26°C), cool nights, and low humidity—perfect for sightseeing and outdoor markets. Clear skies and manageable crowds make it the peak season for mid-range travellers.
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.