Zimbabwe Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Zimbabwe’s two main international airports have airside lounge smoking rooms. Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (HRE) is the primary gateway, with a smoking room inside its Pearl Lounge; Victoria Falls (VFA) is the major tourist airport for the iconic falls, with a smoking room inside its Khami Lounge; Bulawayo (BUQ) serves Zimbabwe’s second city and is outdoor-only.

For travellers, the key airports are HRE for general international transit and VFA for falls-bound tourism. Both let you smoke after security inside their international-terminal lounges (Priority Pass or pay-in); BUQ requires an outdoor break before security.

The Major Airports

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (HRE). Harare’s main airport, primary international gateway. Airside smoking room inside the Pearl Lounge in the international terminal, plus outdoor zones near the terminal entrances landside. Connections to Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dubai, and London.

Victoria Falls Airport (VFA). Gateway to one of Africa’s premier tourist destinations. Airside smoking room inside the Khami Lounge in the international terminal (Priority Pass or pay-in), plus outdoor zones at the entrance. Stunning location.

Bulawayo Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International (BUQ). Zimbabwe’s second city airport. Outdoor-only smoking at designated zones near the terminal entrance; the Khami Lounge here is non-smoking.

Tips for Smokers at Zimbabwean Airports

  • Harare and Victoria Falls have airside lounge smoking rooms; Bulawayo is outdoor-only
  • The HRE Pearl Lounge and VFA Khami Lounge rooms are Priority Pass or pay-in access
  • Harare at 1,490m elevation is cooler than Victoria Falls
  • Victoria Falls airport hot in summer (October-March), pleasant in winter
  • For onward Europe transit, route via Johannesburg or Addis Ababa
  • Cigarettes inexpensive in Zimbabwe but airport duty-free selection limited

Zimbabwe Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Bulawayo Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ)––Yes
Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE)YesYesYes
Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)YesYesYes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Zimbabwe airports?

Yes. Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (HRE) and Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) both have airside indoor smoking rooms inside their international-terminal lounges — the Pearl Lounge at HRE and the Khami Lounge at VFA (both Priority Pass / pay-in). Bulawayo (BUQ), Zimbabwe’s second city, is outdoor-only, with smoking at designated zones near the terminal entrance.

Where can I smoke at Harare Airport (HRE)?

Yes — Robert Gabriel Mugabe International has an airside smoking room inside the Pearl Lounge in the international terminal, so you can smoke after security (Priority Pass or pay-in access). There are also outdoor zones near the terminal entrances landside. The airport handles flights to Johannesburg (dominant route), Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dubai, and London.

Where can I smoke at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)?

Yes — Victoria Falls Airport, the gateway for tourists visiting the iconic falls, has an airside smoking room inside the Khami Lounge in the international terminal (Priority Pass or pay-in access), plus outdoor zones at the terminal entrance landside. The airport handles flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and increasingly direct international routes.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Zimbabwean airports?

Yes — vapes are permitted at Zimbabwean airports, treated similarly to cigarettes. Zimbabwe has no vape ban; e-cigarettes are legal and were brought under an excise tax in 2024. Use the designated smoking areas (the airside lounge rooms at HRE and VFA, or outdoor zones).

What should I expect at Zimbabwean airports as a smoker?

Yes — Harare and Victoria Falls both have airside lounge smoking rooms in their international terminals, so you can smoke after security; Bulawayo is outdoor-only at the entrance. Harare’s elevation (1,490m) keeps temperatures moderate; Victoria Falls is hotter and lower. Cigarettes are widely available but airport duty-free selection may be limited.