Harare Wedding Venue: Harare Safari Lodge

above- main entrance to the Lodge's restaurant

Harare Safari Lodge is a frequently used Zimbabwe wedding venue by numerous couples. We took a trip to the Lodge some 30 or so kilometres from Harare CBD along the Harare Bulawayo road. When we got there, being a holiday, the place was completely quite with no visible patronage except what seemed like the lodge's staff taking advantage of the holiday to hold a staff workshop. We sat down with Meverson Chuma, assistant lodge manager, to talk about what the lodge can do for ZimBridal blog users planning to wed.

above - a view through the woods into a favourate spot for tent set-up overlooking Lake Chivero

rverson explained that when you hire the lodge for your wedding currently they charge you Z$3billion [USD40.00] giving you exclusive rights to the lodge on your special day. In other words all other patrons will not access the lodge on your day. You would have secured the whole lodge to yourselves. The lodge will supply all your catering needs in buffet stlye with the current price per person standing at Z$400m [USD5.oo]. This amount excludes drinks which you are free to outsource unlike catering. When you chose to outsource your drinks, the lodge will charge what they call the cocage fee calculated using the number of guests at your wedding. This is simply an amount they use to penalise you for the business their own bar would have lost due to your outsourcing. One more thing on drinks; they will not be able to chill your drinks for you so you will need to make own arrangements for that.

above - the boat that can take up to 14 people. the boat will be avaliable around September '08; it's currently awaiting safety license. Couples use it for photos.

The lodge also does not provide tents, chairs, cutlery and crookery. These you will have to arrange on your own. Their usual hiring company is Rooneys. Merverson advised that Rooneys has got a cheaper hiring option called Budget. It's more like a subsidiary hiring company which was set-up to counter generally exorbitant normal Rooneys hiring rates. So should you at any point get in touch with Rooneys ask them about their Budget facility.

above- complementary rooms for your bridal team

If you are worried about electricty cuts, the good news is that Harare Safari Lodge has got a heavy duty generator to handle your PA system at no extra cost to you. The Lodge will also provide you with two complementary rooms [ pictured above] for your bridal team to use for changing etc. Concerning photos, some couples have previously had photos taken on the lake (Chivero). There are many places that should produce good snaps for you.

The down side to Harare Safari is that it some distance from Harare CDB and in these days of expensive fuel its a factor worthwhile taking into account. In addition, even though much of the road to the Lodge is tarred, there happen to be a 3km final stretch thats totally gravel. This stretch can be rough and requires healthy vehicles.

Our verdict for Harare Safari Lodge - 7.0 out of 10

Should you want more info;

Mobile: +263-(0)11-444325 (Meverson)

+263-(0)4-691114/690660

+263-(0)4-746302/746037

Head Office: 206 Samora Machel Avenue, Harare

Do you have any experience with Harare Safari Lodge? Post in Comments below.

To Your Special Day!