Mazowe Travel Guide

City City in Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe

A service town beside the Mazowe River where citrus orchards and smallholder farms dominate the landscape; visitors pass through for river-side fishing, farm visits and provincial market stalls.

Costs

Low-moderate - $25-60 per day

Expect $25-60 per day for simple lodgings and local food.

Safety

Generally safe with caution in rural zones

Rural area with lower petty crime but limited policing; take normal precautions.

Best Time

April-October (dry season)

April-October dry season offers easier travel and clearer skies.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

3:44 AM

GMT+2

Weather

57°F

Clear

Population

9,966

Infrastructure & Convenience

Road access to Harare exists but expect few tourist facilities and limited public transit.

Popularity

Primarily an agricultural town visited for business, not tourism.

Known For

Mazowe River, citrus estates, mixed farming, rural markets, colonial-era farms, irrigation schemes, proximity to Harare, agricultural economy

Mazowe is crossed by the Mazowe River, which supports the region's extensive citrus plantations.

Why Visit Mazowe? #

Found along the Mazowe River corridor, this town is known for its agricultural landscape and watery landmarks that shape local life. Citrus orchards and irrigation schemes color the surrounding farms, and the Mazowe Dam provides scenic water views and fishing opportunities. Visitors interested in rural Zimbabwean rhythms will find village markets, tobacco estates nearby and straightforward access to country lanes.

Best Things to Do in Mazowe

All Attractions ›

National Gallery of Zimbabwe

Major national art museum showcasing Zimbabwean visual arts

Museum

National Sports Stadium (Zimbabwe)

Major Harare stadium hosting national football matches

Stadium

Lake Chivero

Large reservoir near Harare, important bird habitat

Reservoir

Balancing Rocks

Granite rock formations balanced by erosion

Mountain

Mazowe Bucket List

Don't Miss

Mazowe Dam - Popular spot for fishing, picnics, and birdwatching near Mazowe town.
Mazowe River valley - River corridor with orchards and small farms lining productive agricultural land.
Tobacco estates around Mazowe - Expansive tobacco-growing estates illustrating Zimbabwe's commercial agriculture and seasonal activity.

Hidden Gems

Mvurwi town visits - Nearby town where informal markets and roadside eateries showcase rural Zimbabwean life.
Local fruit orchards - Small-scale citrus and mango orchards offering seasonal fruit sales and farm visits.
Community-run craft stalls - Local vendors selling woven baskets, carved items, and everyday household crafts.

Day Trips

Harare - Zimbabwe's capital with museums, galleries, and markets roughly an hour's drive south.
Chinhoyi Caves - Limestone cave system with deep clear pools and guided tours northwest of Harare.

Best Time to Visit Mazowe #

Mazowe is nicest during the cool, dry months (April-August) for comfortable days and firmer roads. The rainy season (Nov-Mar) turns everything lush but can make dirt tracks tricky.

Rainy Season

November - March · 18 - 28°C (64 - 82°F)

Warm, humid days with afternoon storms that revive the landscape - excellent for waterfalls and greenery, but expect muddy rural roads.

Cool Dry Season

April - August · 10 - 22°C (50 - 72°F)

Crisp mornings and mild days make farm visits and wildlife spotting comfortable; dust levels drop and roads firm up.

Hot Dry Season

September - October · 20 - 32°C (68 - 90°F)

Hotter, drier weather speeds up harvests and makes mornings best for outdoor work; afternoons can feel relentlessly warm.

Best Time to Visit Mazowe #

Climate

Mazowe's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in November) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (830 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberAugustMay

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

39°

Warmest Month

3°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (214 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 26°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

214 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (170 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 26°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

170 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

14° – 26°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

110 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

12° – 25°

68%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

11.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

8° – 23°

62%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

8 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

6° – 22°

61%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

1 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.0h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 5°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

5° – 22°

59%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

11.1h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 7°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

7° – 24°

50%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

1 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

10° – 27°

44%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

4 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

13° – 28°

46%

Humidity

Comfortable

Weather

26 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

November

November is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

15° – 27°

56%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (173 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 26°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

173 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

13.0h daylight

How to Get to Mazowe

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Mazowe #

Mazowe is a small agricultural town where walking covers most local needs. Minibuses, taxis and informal shared vehicles link Mazowe to larger centres such as Harare for onward travel. Public transport schedules can be irregular; hiring a car or taxi for day trips gives the most control. Keep local currency handy for fares and small purchases.

Where to Stay in Mazowe #

Budget

Mazowe centre - $10-30/night

Mazowe town has a handful of basic guesthouses and lodgings catering to locals and agricultural visitors; expect simple facilities.

Mid-Range

Harare (drive) - $50-120/night

Mid-range choices inside Mazowe are limited; many travelers prefer staying in Harare where comfortable hotels and dining are available.

Meikles Hotel (Harare) - Classic full-service city hotel.

Luxury

Harare luxury hotels - $150+/night

No luxury resorts in Mazowe. For premium service and amenities, book in Harare before travelling to Mazowe.

Meikles Hotel (Harare) - Established luxury option in Harare.

Where to Eat in Mazowe #

Homestyle Rhodesia

Meals center on sadza with stews of beef, goat or vegetables; roadside braai (grilled meat), fresh maize and peanut sauces are common after local markets.

Farm-to-Table

Nearby farms supply fruit and vegetables; small farm stalls and informal diners serve seasonal produce, roasted maize and light fried fish when available.

Nearby Cities #