Your stay — Gimboki
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 Mutare.
The Property — Gimboki
The Gimboki is a straightforward 3-star guesthouse on the edge of Mutare, with a relaxed, residential feel — think tiled floors, lace curtains and a small garden pool. It suits budget-conscious travellers or transit visitors who want a clean, safe night’s sleep and a decent breakfast before heading to the Bvumba or Mozambique border, not those seeking resort amenities. Standing in the lobby, you’ll notice the faint whiff of wood polish and see a receptionist flipping through a well-thumbed visitor book; the vibe is quietly efficient, with staff who know the local taxi numbers by heart.
Chronicles of Mutare
Mutare was founded in the 1890s as a railway camp on the line from Beira to Salisbury; its name comes from the many *mutari* (ironwood) trees in the area. The grid of wide streets, low-rise colonial buildings and the grand Mutare Museum (formerly the Queen Victoria Memorial) date from the early 20th century, when the town served as the main port of entry for the eastern highlands. After independence in 1980, Mutare grew into a commercial hub for the border trade with Mozambique, with new suburbs climbing the surrounding hills. Today, the city holds a quiet, workaday identity — its pride is the turn-of-the-century architecture on Main Street and the lively Christmas Pass Market, not tourist gimmicks.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mutare guide →Best months
May and August: clear skies, cool mornings, warm afternoons (20–25°C), and low humidity. The Bvumba mountains are crisp and walkable; crowds at national parks are thin.
Peak / festival surge
April (Easter) and December–January (school holidays, Christmas). Domestic tourists fill hotels for the Bvumba scenery, and prices at Gimboki can double. The annual Mutare Agricultural Show in late August also draws a local crowd.
Budget shoulder season
February–March and October–November: still decent weather (some rain in Feb–Mar, warming up in Oct–Nov), but discounts of 20–30% on room rates. Fewer people at the Vumba Botanical Gardens.
Weather & packing
Mutare’s climate is classic highland subtropical: warm days but nights drop to 8–12°C even in July. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, sturdy walking shoes for the hilly streets, and a sun hat for midday walks.
Live City Briefing — Mutare
- The Mutare–Beira road (A3) is partially under repair near Forbes Border Post; expect delays of 30–60 minutes at the Mozambique crossing. Check Zimbabwe’s ZINARA website for daily updates.
- The central bus terminus on Second Street has been relocated temporarily to the old railway yard while the new terminal is built; catch Kombi services to Chiredzi/Beitbridge from the new stop.
- Mutare’s town clean-up project (Hupenyu Husingapero) has closed part of Main Street to vehicles on Saturdays until 14:00 to allow street markets and live music.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Gimboki, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (3rd floor) facing the rear or side of the hotel, away from the main road. These rooms are quieter and less exposed to street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception or lift lobby – they pick up foot traffic and early-morning noise. Also skip rooms facing directly onto the main street in Mutare, which can be busy with taxis and local traffic.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floor at the front of the hotel may offer a view over Mutare town or the surrounding hills, but balance this against street noise. The best compromise is a side-facing room on floor 3.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3, if available, assuming the hotel has a lift serving 3 floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Mutare's main roads have daytime traffic and occasional honking. The hotel's location on a through street means some noise from buses and taxis, especially late afternoon. The lift shaft may generate low hum on adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, ask about on-site parking availability at check-in – street parking can be tight. 2. Request a quiet room when booking; the staff are often helpful with allocation if you call ahead.
- 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 — Gimboki
Complimentary WiFi in lobby and most rooms. Speed is adequate for email and browsing; streaming may buffer. No login password needed.
Only ground and first floors; no lift to second floor rooms.
A daily physical copy of The Herald is placed in the lobby. No digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop is free if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 if available, fee of USD 10. Check-out time is 10:00.
Free for same-day storage; overnight storage by arrangement only.
No step-free access; there are two steps at the main entrance. No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Guests with mobility issues may struggle.
On-site parking available, free of charge. Street parking also possible nearby. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require a credit card guarantee. At check-in, an incidental hold of USD 50 per night.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →United States Dollar, USD
Change money at local banks or Bureau de Change in Mutare; airport and hotel rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in larger shops and hotels; small vendors and markets prefer cash.
Tip 10% for good service in restaurants; round up taxi fares; small gratuity for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of filter coffee from a café or street vendor: about $1.50.
Sadza and relish at a local eatery: $2-3.
Grilled meat or stew with rice at a simple restaurant: $4-6 for a main.
Look for vendors near the Mutare Market or bus rank selling roasted maize, samosas, and fried snacks.
Spar and OK Zimbabwe are common budget supermarkets in Mutare.
Head to the central market or second-hand stalls along Robert Mugabe Road for affordable clothing.
Minibus taxis (kombis) cost $0.50-1 per short trip; from the airport, take a shared kombi towards town for about $1.
Buy from local markets rather than tourist shops; negotiate kombi fares before boarding; carry small denominations for daily purchases.
Emergency Contacts
MutareDial 112 from any network. For tourist assistance, contact the Mutare City Council on +263 20 206 0300.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mutare, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Gimboki
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mutare (York Avenue or Dangamvura junction) → Dangamvura Hotel
💡 Look for kombis heading west on York Avenue — they pass the hotel's main road. Have exact change. Sit near the door; it gets crammed.
Harare (Roadport or Fourth Street terminal) → Mutare (Sakubva rank, then local taxi to Dangamvura)
💡 Catch the 6am bus to avoid afternoon heat. The Sakubva rank can be chaotic — a short kombi ride (USD 1) will drop you at Dangamvura's main road.
Mutare city centre (e.g., KFC or Manhica Court) → Dangamvura Hotel
💡 Haggle before getting in — drivers start at USD 10. Pay in US dollars or local currency at agreed rate. Uber isn't active here.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (Harare) → Dangamvura Hotel, Mutare
💡 Arrange through the hotel at least 24 hours ahead. The driver will meet you at arrivals with a name board. Cash dollars preferred.
About Mutare
Wikipedia ↗
Mutare, known as Umtali until 1982, is the capital and largest city in the province of Manicaland. It is the third-largest city in Zimbabwe. Having surpassed Gweru in the 2012 census, with an urban population of 224,802 and approximately 260,567 in the surrounding districts, Mutare adds to the wider...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Gimboki?
Request a room on the top floor (3rd floor) facing the rear or side of the hotel, away from the main road. These rooms are quieter and less exposed to street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gimboki?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception or lift lobby – they pick up foot traffic and early-morning noise. Also skip rooms facing directly onto the main street in Mutare, which can be busy with taxis and local traffic.
Is Gimboki noisy?
Mutare's main roads have daytime traffic and occasional honking. The hotel's location on a through street means some noise from buses and taxis, especially late afternoon. The lift shaft may generate low hum on adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Gimboki?
Rooms on the upper floor at the front of the hotel may offer a view over Mutare town or the surrounding hills, but balance this against street noise. The best compromise is a side-facing room on floor 3.
What are insider tips for staying at Gimboki?
1. If you're driving, ask about on-site parking availability at check-in – street parking can be tight. 2. Request a quiet room when booking; the staff are often helpful with allocation if you call ahead.
What time is check-in at Gimboki?
Check-in at Gimboki is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gimboki have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary WiFi in lobby and most rooms. Speed is adequate for email and browsing; streaming may buffer. No login password needed.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gimboki?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Gimboki?
Sadza and relish at a local eatery: $2-3.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gimboki?
Minibus taxis (kombis) cost $0.50-1 per short trip; from the airport, take a shared kombi towards town for about $1.
When is the best time to visit Mutare?
May and August: clear skies, cool mornings, warm afternoons (20–25°C), and low humidity. The Bvumba mountains are crisp and walkable; crowds at national parks are thin.
Top Attractions in Mutare
💡 Great spot for a packed lunch. The vendor selling roasted mealies (corn) near the main gate is reliable and cheap.
💡 Free entry but they appreciate a small donation. Ask the attendant about the sculpture garden out back – easy to miss.
💡 Walk up from town for free, or take a shared taxi for a few cents. Best at sunset, but avoid walking alone after dark.
💡 Take the steep path to the viewpoint platform – it's worth the climb for a panorama of the border valleys. No bins, so carry your litter out.
💡 Entry is cheap (under $2). Go early to avoid midday heat; the outdoor ethnographic displays are best in morning light.