About Banff Lodge
Situated in the quiet suburb of Hillside, about a ten-minute drive from the centre of Bulawayo, Banff Lodge ...
... is clean, comfortable and convenient for a night or two in the city.
Banff Lodge is a good option for anyone passing through Bulawayo who wants to overnight somewhere close to town but not in Bulawayo itself. Dining options are varied with The Deck offering a relaxed pub atmosphere, and the more upmarket New Orleans restaurant. The lodge is a little dated in its décor and design but it’s clean, comfortable and manned by friendly staff.
Our view
Banff Lodge is a good option for anyone passing through Bulawayo who wants to overnight somewhere close to town but not in Bulawayo itself. Dining options are varied with The Deck offering a relaxed pub atmosphere, and the more upmarket New Orleans restaurant. The lodge is a little dated in its décor and design but it’s clean, comfortable and manned by friendly staff.
Accommodation
13 Rooms
Children
Best for aged 4+
Open
All year
Activities
Cultural excursion
Self-guided walking
Traveller reviews of Banff Lodge
3 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 22 Dec 2024, 2 nights
"Perfect for a night or two"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 28 Aug 2018, 2 nights
"Really a home from home"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 3 Sep 2018, 2 nights
"Banff Lodge review"
Overall rating: Excellent













Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the trips. See our 33 pictures of Banff Lodge to get the candid view.
View galleryBanff Lodge: Our full report
Situated in the quiet suburb of Hillside, about a ten-minute drive from the centre of Bulawayo, Banff Lodge ...
... is clean, comfortable and convenient for a night or two in the city.
Situated in the quiet suburb of Hillside, about a ten-minute drive from the centre of Bulawayo, Banff Lodge is clean, comfortable and convenient for a night or two in the city.
Dating from the late 19th century, Banff Lodge has been run as a family enterprise since 2013. A lot of work has been put into upgrading and improving the property and it’s now beginning to pay off. Although there is still some work to be done, we found Banff a perfectly adequate place to spend a night on our first visit here in 2014.
A short path from the car park leads guests through Banff’s garden to a rather dated reception area, where friendly staff are on hand to greet you and show you to your room.
Banff Lodge has 11 rooms and 2 family cottages, all of which are en suite. We stayed in one of the older family cottages, where furniture and chairs seemed to have been added without much thought for design and style. Most of the rooms have been renovated, however, with plans to complete the work as soon as the money becomes available. These newer rooms are much nicer than the cottages, with modern fittings and a more contemporary eye to detail. None of the rooms has air conditioning but each has a fan,a tea and coffee station and satellite TV. Complimentary WiFi is found around much of Banff Lodge, but this is patchy and you may need to take a little time to find the hotspots.
The en-suite bathrooms are quite small but clean and functional with plenty of hot water. Our bathroom had a bathtub only, which was a little frustrating, but we’re pleased to note that they plan to put showers in all the bathrooms.
Banff Lodge has a couple of restaurants. Relaxed and informal, The Deck is situated on a deck under a thatched roof, overlooking a small pool. This is a popular place with locals, who also appreciate the TV coverage of sports from around the world.
For a more formal dining experience, there is the New Orleans restaurant inside the main house. This has been around for a number of years and has won many national culinary awards.
There are no activities included in a stay at Banff Lodge but reception will be happy to organise museum visits and excursions.
Geographics
- Location
- Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Ideal length of stay
- Banff Lodge works well for a one-night stopover in Bulawayo.
- Directions
- Banff Lodge is about 30 minutes from Bulawayo International Airport. Most guests staying here will transfer to Banff by road.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- We found the food on our last visit to Banff Lodge to be very good indeed. The Deck (open from early in the morning until about 9.00pm) was a lovely place for a drink and some food next to the pool.
For breakfast we had a full breakfast of two eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns and corn fritters.
For dinner we enjoyed a really well cooked surf & turf option: a 250g sirloin steak accompanied by calamari and lemon-buttered prawns, with chips and salad. It was delicious.
The more formal New Orleans is open 6.30–9.00pm every evening. We didn’t eat here on our last visit but the menu looked great, with highlights including roasted bone marrow served with a berry salad, onion and toast, or sticky pork ribs with spicy potato wedges and a mixed leaf salad. The seafood menu was also impressive with beer-battered Namibian hake of particular appeal to us. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not available
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included at Banff Lodge but bottled water is provided in all of the rooms.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are very much welcome at Banff Lodge.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions.
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- There is a small jungle gym in the garden and the pool will appeal to children too. There is also a large, secure lawn for them to run around.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although not specifically designed with children in mind, Banff Lodge is a good place for kids to stay.
- Notes
- The pool isn’t fenced and the car park at Banff can get very busy, so we’d of course urge parents to supervise their children at all times.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back up generator for use in the event of the mains failing.
- Communications
- There is patchy WiFi throughout Banff and good cellphone reception.
- TV & radio
- There are plans for TVs to be installed in the rooms soon but there is no radio.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the rooms have en-suite bathrooms that are fully plumbed, though not all have showers. The water pressure and temperature was good on our last visit.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- Reception has a fairly limited first-aid kit for any minor ailments. For more serious medical issues there is a doctor in Bulawayo and for really serious issues medical air rescue services are on hand to transport patients to Jo’burg or Harare.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- Banff Lodge is fenced and has an electronic gate manned by a nightwatchman. Security guards patrol the property throughout the night.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in reception.
Activities
Cultural excursion
Self-guided walking
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is provided at an extra cost.
- Money
- Although there are no safes in the rooms there is a guest safe, which visitors should speak to reception about using.
- Accepted payment on location
- Banff Lodge accepts payment by cash and credit card for any extras.
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Banff Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Banff Lodge.
Other lodges in Bulawayo
Alternative places to stay in this same area.

Bulawayo Club
In the centre of Bulawayo, the Bulawayo Club is a small hotel with lots of history and character, and is a good spot to start or end a trip around Zimbabwe.
When to go to Bulawayo
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Banff Lodge in Bulawayo
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Zimbabwe in January
January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.
While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.
The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.
- Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
- Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
- Species such as impala drop their young
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
- Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps
Our view
A time to avoid if possible
Weather in January
Zimbabwe in February
February remains well within Zimbabwe’s rainy season. Although total rainfall drops, relatively short thunderstorms can still be expected most afternoons. On the plus side, there is a greater chance of some sunshine in-between.
Much of the country remains waterlogged, closing access to Mana Pools and severely restricting walking safaris in other parks. While game drives and canoeing remain an option, the abundance of water disperses animals, and thick grass can make it difficult to spot larger species, but birding remains excellent. Conversely, this is a great time of year to view the landscape, and is excellent for photographers. Sporadic cloud cover and clear air can make for some spectacular sunsets too, particularly over Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River where the reflections off the water add to the beauty.
- Generally wet with frequent thunderstorms & hot humid days
- Poor wildlife viewing due to dispersed animals & thick bush
- Clear air, green landscapes & exceptional sunsets
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
- Very few visitors & low rates at camps that are open
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in February
Zimbabwe in March
March is the final month of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, when the rains start to trail off and sunny days become the norm. However, some days the clouds can still build, breaking into thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Mana Pools remains closed throughout the month but the majority of camps in Hwange, Matusadona and Gonarezhou remain open. Here, the landscape is green and alive, with migrant species of birds taking advantage of the abundant insect life. Larger animals remain elusive though, and walking safaris remain restricted.
By this time of year, the rains have normally trickled down to the Zambezi River and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts to increase, but without kicking up too much spray to obscure the views.
- Last month of the rainy season: hot, humid days with occasional storms
- Lush vegetation means good birding, but poor game viewing
- Views of the Victoria Falls improve
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
- Open camps have few visitors & low rates
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Zimbabwe in April
April marks the end of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and the end of summer. Clear skies are the norm, with just the occasional shower. Temperatures start to drop, failing to reach 30ºC most days and dropping down to around 10ºC at night.
As the rain fades the landscape starts to dry out. While the vegetation remains thick and green, the soil in Mana Pools dries enough for camps to open, and the only camps to remain closed are the most remote bushcamps in Hwange. Although viewing of larger animals remains tricky, the improved weather starts to draw back visitors, as do prices significantly below those in the peak season.
The Zambezi River and flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its highest, although large amounts of spray diminish views of the waterfall itself.
- Transitional period, with much lower rainfall & falling temperatures
- Wildlife is still dispersed & hard to see, but sightings improving
- Views of the Victoria Falls often obscured by spray
- Camps in Mana Pools open
- Visitors start to return & camps increase their rates
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in April
Zimbabwe in May
The first month in the dry season, May is also Zimbabwe’s first month of winter. If the rains are particularly late in a given year, you may catch the odd shower, but you can expect clear and sunny days the majority of the time. While it’s warm in the daytime, temperatures drop to single digits at night, so bring a warm jumper and gloves for early morning drives.
With the rain having cleared the air, the sky is bright blue, and it’s the best time of year for photography.
Even the most remote camps in Zimbabwe are now open. With the lack of rainfall, vegetation dies back significantly, and seasonal rivers return to sand. Not only does this open up the possibility of walking safaris, but wildlife viewing becomes much more reliable.
- Start of the dry season, with milder days and cold nights
- Game viewing significantly improves as vegetation dies back
- Vegetation starts to turn from green to brown
- Best time for photography with crystal clear air
- Visitors start to return; all camps open & rates increasing
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in May
Zimbabwe in June
During June you can virtually be guaranteed of dry and sunny days, although temperatures continue to drop, and can get close to freezing at night in Hwange National Park. Jumpers, jackets and gloves are strongly recommended for early mornings and evenings.
The opportunities for wildlife viewing improve throughout the month as the landscape rapidly dries, and the animals start to gather on the banks of the Zambezi River and around Hwange’s waterholes.
Water levels in the Zambezi River start to drop, reducing the amount of spray kicked up at the Victoria Falls and greatly improving visibility, but still allowing a full curtain of water to cascade over the edge.
- Middle of winter, with night-time temperatures close to freezing
- Game viewing significantly improves throughout the month
- Views of the Victoria Falls are at their best
- Noticeable increase in visitor numbers
- Camps considerably more expensive
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in June
Zimbabwe in July
July sits in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. Although it’s warm at midday, temperatures are generally cold and in Hwange it’s been known to drop below freezing at night, with the lower-altitude Mana Pools feeling a bit warmer.
With wildlife clustering around the few remaining waterholes, sparse vegetation, and some of the best views of the Victoria Falls, this is one of the most popular times to travel, with camps charging peak season rates to reflect this. That said, visitor numbers to the country in general remain low, and outside of the Victoria Falls it’s rare for any areas to feel crowded.
- Middle of the dry season with almost no chance of rain
- Clear sunny days, but very cold nights
- Wildlife viewing good; game drives and walking safaris unrestricted
- Views of the Victoria Falls at their best
- Camps charging peak season rates
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in July
Zimbabwe in August
While August is the end of winter and temperatures are starting to creep up, mornings and nights are still cold, and game drives in open vehicles can feel particularly chilly. Well into the dry season, the landscapes will have mostly transformed from green to brown and wildlife viewing in Zimbabwe’s national parks is approaching its best. Due to dust kicked up into the atmosphere and smoke from bush fires you may start to notice a haze on the horizon, but this doesn’t significantly impact photography.
August is one of the most expensive months, and the pleasant weather and decent game viewing attracts lots of visitors. While the national parks rarely feel crowded, Victoria Falls accommodation can sell out a year in advance.
- Warm, sunny days but cold mornings & nights; almost no chance of rain
- Wildlife viewing nearly at its best
- Landscape turns brown, & an atmospheric haze develops
- All camps charging peak season rates
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Zimbabwe in September
Temperatures in September rarely drop below 15ºC, but are yet to reach the oppressive highs of summer. It will normally have been five months since the last drop of rain, so antelope and elephants cluster around whatever water remains, with predators never too far away.
The landscape is very brown, and the haze building on the horizon takes some of the colour out of the sky, so while animal subjects are plentiful, the background is not ideal for photography.
The combination of incredible wildlife viewing, hot and sunny weather, and cheaper flights outside of the school holidays make this the most popular time of year to travel, and availability at the camps can become limited up to a year in advance.
- The best month for weather, with a pleasantly warm temperature range
- One of the best months for game viewing
- Victoria Falls starting to dry but still impressive on Zimbabwean side
- All camps are charging peak season rates
- Most popular time to travel, & space can be limited
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Zimbabwe in October
October is the last month of the dry season with little chance of rain but building humidity. While the higher elevation of Hwange National Park limits temperatures to the 30s Celsius, they can easily top 40ºC in Mana Pools.
With little vegetation or water, wildlife is drawn to the few remaining water sources and viewing is at its best; visitors who brave the heat can be rewarded with some exceptional sightings, although haze in the air diminishes photos. Maximum visibility and dense wildlife concentrations can also make for very rewarding walking safaris, although the heat can make them uncomfortable.
Water levels in the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls drop significantly, and large stretches of the waterfall are a dry cliff-face – although it never dries completely. Camp rates remain at their peak, but visitor numbers drop as people avoid the heat.
- Last month of the dry season; very hot with building humidity
- Wildlife viewing at its very best
- Dust & smoke in the air diminish photographic opportunities
- Victoria Falls starting to look very dry
- Camp rates remain at their peak
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Zimbabwe in November
November is a transitionary period, with high temperatures and humidity. While they can’t be predicted with any precision, the first rains normally arrive halfway through the month, in the form of thunderstorms lasting a few hours each day.
Early November is a popular time to travel as the camps drop their rates, so if you’re lucky you can get peak-season game viewing at low-season rates. This is a gamble though as if the rains do arrive, animals are no longer limited to a few dangerous waterholes and will disperse into the bush. While all the camps in Mana Pools intend to remain open, the rains can make the airstrips unusable so you may find yourself moved to a different park, a risk that increases through the month.
- Typically the start of the rains in Zimbabwe
- Temperatures & humidity levels remain high
- Wildlife viewing rapidly diminishes as the rains arrive
- Camps remain open, but risk early closure in Mana Pools
- Much cheaper time to travel as camps drop their rates
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Zimbabwe in December
By December the rainy season has begun in earnest; this is one of the wettest months in Zimbabwe, with heavy thunderstorms most afternoons and occasionally continuous rain for a couple of days. While temperatures start to cool down the high levels of humidity can make the heat feel more oppressive.
With the rains comes an explosion of green growth, and the dust and smoke are washed out of the air. The resulting scenery – with the occasional bright blue skies – can be fantastic for photographers. Thick vegetation and plentiful water makes viewing of larger animals tricky, but with migratory species arriving the birding is at its best.
All camps in Mana Pools and the remote Hwange camps close, with those remaining open charging their lowest rates.
- One of the wettest months in Zimbabwe
- High temperatures & levels of humidity
- Wildlife viewing poor, but birding good
- Lush green landscapes & clear air; great for landscape photography
- All camps in Mana Pools closed
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in December

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