Masvingo is a city of about 90,000 (2022) in Southeastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo province. It is right by major Zimbabwe tourist attractions, such as Great Zimbabwe and Lake Mutirikwe.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Buses to Masvingo leave when full from Harare's Mbare bus station, cost about US$7 and take about five hours. You may be able to get one of the "luxury" buses between Johannesburg and Harare's Roadport to drop you off, but this will be much more expensive and is unlikely to work in the other direction. Minibuses from Bulawayo cost about US$8 and take 4.5 to 5 hours.
- 1 Inter city bus stop to Harare and Bulawayo, Bradburn St (corner with A4 / Josiah Tongogara Rd). Transport from Harare and Bulawayo (US$8, 4-5 hr) arrives here.
- 2 Inter city bus stop to Mutare and Chimanimani, Jason Moyo St (corner with A9 / Simon Mazorodze Rd, in front of Masvingo Downtown Lodge). Transport from Mutare and Chimanimani (US$8, 4-5 hr) arrives here.
- 3 Combis to the Great Zimbabwe, Hughes St (in front of the Pick N pay supermarket, opposite side.). Combi vans to the Great Zimbabwe leave when full (US$2, 30 min). You can also get a ride for US$1, which is what the locals pay. Just negotiate.
- 4 Masvingo railway station. There have been sporadic passenger trains from Gweru, where connections to the main railway network can be made.
Get around
[edit]
The town is small and walkable.
See
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- The Great Zimbabwe ruins 25 km south of town
Do
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Moira Jane's Blue Bird Cafe, 48 Robertson St (same corner as Backpackers Rest Hostel, further up), ☏ +263 773272473. M-F 08:00-16:00, Sa 08:00-14:00, Su closed. Home-made breakfasts, burgers and pastries to enjoy in a nicely decorated dining terrace with wooden tables or inside, in a room with vintage movies posters.
There is also a secondhand shop in the back. - Pick N Pay Supermarket, Hughes Street. 07:00-19:00. large supermarket.
- OK Supermarket, Robertson Street. 07:00-21:00. large supermarket.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Masvingo Backpacker's Rest, 146, dauth building, Robertson St (corner with A4 / Josiah Tongogara Rd). Old and barebones backpackers vibe. US$15 for dorm beds, US$20 for private rooms with shared bathroom.
- Great Zimbabwe Ruins Just outside the ruins there is the National Monuments run campsite which has camping for US$5 per person. dorm beds for US$7 per person. and Rondavels (Chalets) for US$15 per person.
- Great Zimbabwe Hotel Between the ruins and the main road have a fantastic campsite with large tents set up, US$25
- Masvingo Downtown Lodge, Jason Moyo Street (Near caravan park). Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Dorm bed. US$15 per person.
- Muunze Lodge (20 km from Masvingo), ☏ +263 773-098477. Camping/dorm beds/room with own bathroom pick up can be arranged from Masvingo. US$8/14/25 per person.
Mid Range
[edit]Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]The stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe (entry US$15 per person, guided tour 2 hr, US$3) are about 25 km south of the city. You can get a combi from behind the Pick N Pay supermarket just south of the town centre (US$2, 30 min) which will drop you at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel about 2 km from the gate to the ruins. Taking a private taxi is also possible but much more expensive.