Imba Matombo

Imba Matombo opened in the 1980s as a premier lodge in Harare. The fifteen-room hotel sits on twelve acres in Glen Lorne, four of which remain natural msasa woodland. The grounds hold fish eagle from nearby Lewtin Dam, hornbills, turacos, and vervet monkeys. Each room is en-suite and named for birds, wildlife, or landmarks of the surrounding hills. Sunbird carries jewel-toned African prints; Zebra holds clean lines and crisp contrast; Eagles Nest is elevated with long valley views. Stone is set into the original walls of the lodge. All rooms include air conditioning. Weekly and monthly rentals are available with signed lease agreements.

The restaurant and pool bar open to non-guests as well as residents. The teak deck catches sunset year-round. Saturday and Sunday mornings see weekend breakfast on the Sunset Deck from 8am to noon. Poolside rolls—bacon and egg, or boerewors—cook on the braai by the pool without booking. Friday nights rotate themed specials: seafood, Mexican, winter warmers, steak. Saturday is bar games night. Two private dining rooms seat 10 and 14. The Hidden Jewel Spa Sanctuary operates independently on the property with two treatment rooms and Aloe Ferox botanicals from the Western Cape. A 30 kW solar array powers the hotel; water is drawn from solar-powered boreholes. The lodge is fifteen minutes from Harare city centre and forty from the airport.