Luxury hotels in Zimbabwe

Luxury hotels in Zimbabwe are reclaiming their place on Africa’s premium travel map, driven by rising global demand for exclusive, experience-led tourism.

From historic icons overlooking Victoria Falls to conservation-focused safari lodges along the Zambezi River, Zimbabwe’s high-end hospitality sector blends heritage, nature, and private capital into globally competitive destinations.

As international travel rebounds, luxury hotels in Zimbabwe are attracting high-net-worth travelers seeking privacy, authenticity, and curated African experiences, while quietly serving as key foreign-exchange earners and employment drivers within the country’s tourism economy.

Victoria Falls anchors luxury demand, while Harare’s boutique and corporate hotels cater to executives, diplomats, and investors.

Below are 10 luxury hotels defining Zimbabwe’s high-end hospitality landscape as chronicled by Shore Africa.

1. The Victoria Falls Hotel
Opened in 1904, this historic landmark remains Zimbabwe’s most iconic luxury hotel. Overlooking Victoria Falls, it combines colonial elegance with refined service, attracting royalty, diplomats, and heritage-driven travelers. The Victoria Falls Hotel is owned by Emerged Railways Properties (ERP), a joint venture between the National Railways of Zimbabwe and Zambia Railways. While the property is owned by ERP, it is operated under a 50/50 partnership management structure between African Sun Limited and Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited.

2. Mbano Manor Hotel
A discreet boutique property near Victoria Falls, Mbano Manor emphasizes privacy, expansive suites, and personalized service, making it a favorite among honeymooners and high-end leisure travelers. Mbano Manor Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, is owned by Zimbabwean businesswoman and hotelier Matifadza (Mati) Nyazema. Opened in January 2020, this 5-star eco-boutique hotel is noted for being one of the first luxury hotels developed from scratch by a black Zimbabwean woman.

3. Matetsi Victoria Falls
Set within a private conservation reserve along the Zambezi, Matetsi offers ultra-luxury villas, river safaris, and strong sustainability credentials, representing Zimbabwe’s evolution toward experiential luxury tourism. Matetsi Victoria Falls is privately owned by the Gardiner family, a Zimbabwean family dedicated to conservation-minded, luxury tourism. Founded by John and Sarah Gardiner, the lodge is situated on their 136,000-acre private game reserve along the Zambezi River, focusing on high-end, sustainable hospitality.

4. Victoria Falls Safari Club
Positioned above Zambezi National Park, this upscale retreat blends wildlife immersion with refined comfort, offering elevated safari experiences without sacrificing luxury hospitality standards. Victoria Falls Safari Club is owned and operated by a Zimbabwean hospitality group, Africa Albida Tourism (AAT). It is part of their portfolio of properties located on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate in Zimbabwe, which also includes the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Safari Suites, and Lokuthula Lodges.

5. Palm River Hotel
A modern riverside addition near Victoria Falls, Palm River delivers contemporary luxury with infinity pools, spa experiences, and curated guest activities for high-spending leisure travelers. The Palm River Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, is owned by the Palm Hospitality Group (formerly Spencer’s Creek (Pvt) Ltd) in a 50-50 partnership with Old Mutual Zimbabwe. It is a sister property to the family-run Ilala Lodge Hotel.

6. Hyatt Regency Harare – The Meikles
Harare’s premier corporate luxury hotel anchors Zimbabwe’s business travel segment, offering global branding, fine dining, and conference facilities for executives and diplomats. Hyatt Regency Harare – The Meikles is owned by Albwardy Investments, a Dubai-based company, which purchased the landmark property from Meikles Limited for $20 million in 2019–2020. Following a significant refurbishment, the hotel was rebranded under the Hyatt Regency portfolio in 2024, managed by Hyatt International.

7. Bronte Hotel, Harare
A long-standing family-owned and family-managed hotel which has been a leading Harare hotel for more than 50 years. Owned by Alf Roebert and Fritz Van Seumeren, the Bronte Hotel offers understated luxury set within tranquil gardens, prized for privacy, consistency, and long-stay executive comfort.

8. Amanzi Lodge
Located in Harare’s northern suburbs, Amanzi Lodge blends African-inspired design with boutique luxury, targeting discerning travelers seeking privacy near key business districts. Amanzi Lodge in Harare, Zimbabwe, is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Andrew and Julia Mama. As British investors who emigrated to Zimbabwe in 1998, they created the lodge and its associated restaurant as a showcase for African art, interior design, and landscaped gardens.

9. Elephant Hills Resort
Overlooking the Zambezi River, Elephant Hills combines scale with resort-style luxury, featuring a golf course, conference facilities, and leisure amenities supporting both business and destination tourism.

10. Cresta Sprayview Hotel
Situated close to Victoria Falls, Cresta Sprayview delivers accessible luxury for families and couples, balancing comfort, location, and value near one of Africa’s strongest tourism magnets. The Cresta Sprayview Hotel in Victoria Falls is managed and operated by the Cresta Hotels group. Cresta took over the former family-owned “Sprayview Motel” under a lease agreement, refurbishing and reopening it in July 2013. The property itself was historically a family-owned business before being rebranded and operated by the Cresta Hotels chain.