Experience in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe by Zerubabwl

What is it like to live in Chinhoyi? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Chinhoyi is a small city, though the capital of Mashonaland West Province, located 116km away from the country's capital Harare. It can only be connected by road.
Most of the times it is sunny but bearable.
There are many recreational and touristic facilities surrounding the city. It is also home of the biggest natural caves in Africa, the Chinhoyi Caves National Park, Mazvikadei Resort (about 30km from the CBD)among others.

What is the student lifestyle like in Chinhoyi?

Student life is so affordable and life enhancing. Affordable pricing for accommodation and transport for students. The major institution in Chinhoyi is the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) which owns two major affordable hotels in Chinhoyi. It also provides extra-curricular activities for student emotional and cultural interaction.

How much does it cost to live in Chinhoyi?

People are friendly and goods and services are so affordable. Shops and banks usually open from 8am-6pm while other supermarkets open from 7am-20pm. Transport is affordable and available at any time of the day ranging from public costing US$0.5 per person, private during the day US$5 up to US$15 late night.
Accommodation in respect with students usually ranges from US$30 per month up to $100 per person per month depending with the distance from the Campus and with suburb type. Besides that, CUT provides transport for free to its students from as far as Lions' Den about 25km away from town at scheduled times. CUT Hotel and Orange Groove Motel owned by CUT costs from as little as $40/night going up depending with availability and season.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Chinhoyi? Is there any advice you can give?

It is very easy to find accommodation in any suburb of the town. Mapako and Muzari Suburbs are the low density suburbs that might be more comfortable for foreign students.
CUT also offers accommodation for its students on a first come first served basis. There are a few accommodation agents in town but it is safer to do it in person and for students to contact the Off-Campus Student Affairs Department.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

African dishes are served at almost every food outlets with only a few establishments serving as per request. Sadza (thick porridge) is the favorite meal from maize corn mill meal and it is the staple food for the country.

What places would you recommend visiting in Chinhoyi?

Chinhoyi Caves National Park
Dendadales Park
Mazikadei Resort
Nyasha Gardens
Orange Groove Motel

Is it good to eat out in Chinhoyi? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Top Dogs
CUT Hotel
Orange Groove Motel
Other Community owned restaurants
Ex D Williams
Chicken Inn
Ex R

Is the nightlife good in Chinhoyi? Where is good to go?

Very good night life. All the places listed above are accessible even at night time.

What advice would you give future students heading to Chinhoyi?

The perfect place to be in Zimbabwe. Full of educational facilities from Early Childhood Development, Primary and Secondary Schools. Tertiary and Night Institutions include Catholic University of Zimbabwe (offering mostly pastoral education), Falcon College, Chinhoyi Vocational Training Center and CUT with a diverse range of programs from Sciences, Humanities and and Social Sciences. It also offers short-term courses.
Everything is cheap and affordable and life is just easy.