Mutare

Mutare is the third-largest city in Zimbabwe, with a population of 225,000 in 2022, and a total of 500,000 people in the wider metropolitan area. Mutare is hub for trade in eastern Zimbabwe, with railway links, pipeline transport and highways linking the coast with Harare and Zimbabwe's interior. The name was changed from Umtali to Mutare in 1982.

Get in

Mutare streetscape

By plane

Although Mutare has a small airstrip there are no regular scheduled services; however airtaxi or small private planes may land. The nearest international gateway is in the capital, Harare.

By train

• 1 Mutare railway station (southwest of the city centre). National Railways of Zimbabwe used to run an overnight train service from Harare three times a week, but it was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and remains suspended as of July 2024. (updated Jul 2024)

By car

Roads are decent and asphalted but potholes are common. Highway A3 leads inland towards Harare while A9 turns southwards. Across the border to the east is EN9 which connects with the coastal city of Beira. Traffic can be heavy since this is one of Zimbabwe's main routes to the ocean. There is also a lot of cross-border traffic with people visiting the nearby cities of Manica and Chimoio

By bus

• 2 Sakubva bus terminus (4 km southwest of the city centre). The main intercity bus terminal is outside the city center southwest. There are buses from Harare (US$8, 4-5 hr), Masvingo (US$8, 4-5 hr), Johannesburg in South Africa. A combi to the city center costs US$0,50. (updated Jul 2024)

By minibus and shared taxi

• 3 Minibus rank, 'E' Avenue (corner with 2nd Street, in front of Choppies). Minibus/combis for short distances in the surroundings. (updated Jul 2024)
• 4 Shared taxis to Bvumba Mountains, 'E' Avenue (opposite side of the main A9 road, behind Choppies). Depart here when full (US$5, 45 min). Arrive early in the morning to make the most of a day trip. (updated Jul 2024)
• 5 Shared taxis to Nyanga National Park, 2nd Street (corner w/ 'B' Avenue, in front of CBZ bank). Depart here to Nyanga town when full (US$5, 2 hr). (updated Jul 2024)

Get around

The town is small and walkable.

You can also take a ride on minibus combis for US$0.50.

See

• 1 Cross Kopje Memorial, Greenside (2-3 km east of the city centre). A memorial built in memory of 269 Africans from Rhodesia, Nyasaland, and the Portuguese East Africa who had lost their lives in the German East African Campaign of World War I. Erected by Colonel Methuen, the memorial is a massive Cross constructed of granite and reinforced concrete and it stands nearly ten metres high, and is over a metre thick, has cross arms of nearly five metres and weighs over fifty tonnes. The memorial was illuminated by floodlights, but these are now defunct, which gave the cross an impressive silhouette. (updated Feb 2015)
• 2 Cecil Kop Nature Reserve (the hill is within easy reach of the car park behind the Showgrounds or from the sign-posted turn-off on the Old Christmas Pass Road; it can also be found by following Arcadia Road north of the city centre). M-F 08:00-17:00, Sa Su 08:00-sundown. Antelope, elephant, rhino, zebra and wildebeest. Open daily. The Cecil Kop Nature Reserve encompasses 4,200 acres (1,700 hectares) of scenic beauty, where you can see Zimbabwe's wildlife under natural conditions 3 km from the city centre, open every day of the year. Visitors may also drive around Thompson's Vlei section of the game park on the eastern borders of the city. The Murahwa's Hill forms the backdrop to the Mutare Showgrounds, a nature reserve that is a naturalist's delight. Rare birds, butterflies and trees are found in their natural environment. (updated Feb 2015)
• 3 Mutare museum, Aerodrome Rd, ☏ +263 20 63630. Daily 09:00-17:00. It was established in 1945, and in 1959 it was taken over by the National Museums and Monuments as the third of its five national museums. The museum houses the national collection of antiquities, firearms, edged weapons, and road transports. The display galleries include flora and fauna of Manicaland, zoology exhibits, transport items and a large "walk-in" aviary housing over 500 birds. Temporary displays are held regularly. Can be found on Victory Avenue off Aerodrome Road. US$3 resident, US$10 non-resident. (updated Jul 2024)
• 4 The Civic Centre Complex. The Civic Centre complex, apart from being the administrative centre of the city, contains the Courtauld Theatre, the Queen's Hall and the Turner Memorial Library. Across the road from the complex is the Mutare Post Office, which was opened in 1973. Visitors may see the Mayor's Parlour, the reception rooms and the Council Chamber during working hours. The Turner Memorial Library, in the Civic Centre complex, is a subscription lending library with a good variety of fiction and non-fiction. (updated Feb 2015)

Kopje (tor) in the Marada Hills to the west

• 5 Mutare Main Park Aloe Gardens. The result of many years of hard work, the Aloe Gardens in Mutare's Main Park are becoming increasingly famous throughout the southern Africa region. The gardens contain about 10,000 aloes and numerous indigenous shrubs and cycads. The 243 species of aloe were collected from throughout Africa and Madagascar. (updated Feb 2015)
• 6 Lake Alexander / Ozdani Dam (35 km north of Mutare on the Odzani Road which passes through Penhalonga). This site offers magnificent views, as well as thatched shelters, toilets, braai areas for campers, and is popular for fishing, yachting and rowing. Row boats are available for hire, and there is a yachting club at the lake. Smallbridge Dam, upstream from Lake Alexander on the Odzani River offers fishing and boating in scenic surroundings. (updated Feb 2015)

Do

The National Arts Gallery and Courtauld Theatre are two places in Mutare where you can go to experience some culture.

Buy

Stone sculptures can be found cheaply at the intersection going to the Mozambique border.

• Pick N Pay Supermarket, Herbert Chiteop Street. 07:30-20:00. Large South African-owned supermarket. (updated Mar 2016)
• Stanbic bank, Herbert Chitepo Street. 24-hour ATM. Mastercard and Visa card ATM. (updated Aug 2023)
• Ecobank, Herbert Chiteop Street. 24-hour ATM. Mastercard and Visa card ATM. (updated Aug 2023)
• Needbank, 75 Herbert Chitepo Street (Windsor sasa house). 24-hour ATM. Mastercard and Visa card ATM. (updated Aug 2023)
• Choppies Supermarket, Herbert Chiteop Street. 08:00-20:00. large Botswanan-owned supermarket. (updated Aug 2023)
• OK supermarket, Herbert Chiteop Street. 07:00-20:00. large Zimbabwe-owned supermarket. (updated Aug 2023)

Eat

Bvumba Mountains to the south

Karen’s Kitchen (lunch), Green Coucal (lunch), Nando’s, Chinese in 1st street in Mutare, Hillside Sports Club (Good curry), Portuguese Club (prawns and chicken), Greek Club (good chicken), Wise Owl (go for the steak), Calvary (best sadza in town), Mira Sol (chicken or pasta) and Fasho.

White Horse Inn and Tony’s Café (great cakes) are very good and somewhat expensive places to eat in Bvumba.

• 1 Zimbo's Cafe, 29 First St (corner with 'B' Avenue, inside the Hellenic Community building (white and blue with Greek flag painted)), ☏ +263 78 289 5200. M-Sa 08:00-17:00, Su closed. Coffee, tea, home-style burgers and sandwiches. (updated Jul 2024)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Ann Bruce Backpackers, 99 Fourth Street (corner w/ Sixth Avenue), ☏ +263 772 249089. Great location, very secure and clean. This long established backpackers is Ann's home which has been converted to include dorms and private rooms. Ann is a lovely lady very sociable with guests. There is a nice garden to relax and a kitchen to cook in. Wi-Fi ($2) and laundry services are available. There are two dogs and a cat. Dorm bed US$15, double from US$40. (updated Oct 2022)
• 2 Ubuntu Backpackers, 53 Fourth Street (city center, between First and Second Avenue), ☏ +263 777 22 77 44. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Owned by a German manager, centrally located, with cosy, sustainably, beautifully decorated bedrooms. Free Wi-Fi. Homemade breakfast and meals must be ordered in advance but the equipped kitchen is available for communal cooking. Hiking and cultural tours in Eastern Highlands can be organized. Dorm US$15, double w/o bathroom US$35-40, double w/ bathroom US$48, breakfast US$10, dinner US$12. (updated Jul 2024)
• Travellers Lodge, 94 Fourth Street (City centre), ☏ +263 202065916. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Single/double rooms with own bathroom. Free Wi-Fi and TV. From US$20. (updated Aug 2023)

Go next

• Chimanimani — A small town with great hiking trails.
• Chimoio — Head into Mozambique.
• Chipinge
• Rusape