Masvingo
Masvingo is a city of about 173,000 (2013) in Southeastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo province. It is right by major Zimbabwe tourist attractions, such as Great Zimbabwe and Lake Mutirikwe.
Get in
Buses to Masvingo leave when full from Harare's Mbare bus station, cost about US$7 and take about five hours. You can also potentially 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 to/from Bulawayo cost about US$8 and take 4.5 to 5 hours. In Masvingo, transport to/from both Harare and Bulawayo arrives/departs from Bradburn Street, on the western edge of the city centre (marked on Google Maps). There are also buses/minibuses towards Mutare.
A Kombi van from the Pick N pay supermarket in downtown Masvingo to the Grent Zimbabwe cost US$1.50 and takes 30 min.
There has been sporadic passenger trains from Gweru, where connections to the main railway network can be made.
- 🌍 Masvingo railway station.
See
The Great Zimbabwe ruins are about 25 km south of town.
Eat
- Pick N Pay Supermarket., Hughes Street. 07.00-19.00. large supermarket.
- OK Supermarket, Robertson Street. 07.00-21.00. large supermarket.
Sleep
budget
- Masvingo Backpacker's Rest Right in the center of Masvingo town old and barebones backpackers vibe. $15 for dorm beds, $25-$30 for private rooms.
- 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, $25
- Masvingo Downtown Lodge, Jason Moyo Street (Near caravan park). Check-in: noon, check-out: 10AM. 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.
Go next
The stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe entry $15 per person 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, costing around US$1.50 and taking around 30 minutes. This will drop you about 2 km from the gate to the ruins. Taking a taxi is also possible but much more expensive.