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Capital and largest city of Zimbabwe
Photo: Radozw at Serbian Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Harare is the capital and largest city in Zimbabwe. Harare has an excellent highland climate and well-planned garden suburbs that are very pleasant to walk around in. It has an extensive collection of public museums, institutions and many of the nation's most important historic monuments and memorials.
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National monument commemorating Zimbabweans who died during the liberation war. The monument itself is 1km passed the ticket office
Formerly the Queen Victoria Memorial Library.
A granite hill rising above the southwest corner of central Harare, is a great place to go for views of the city.
Houses not only a valuable and interesting national collection but also hosts travelling international exhibitions and has a permanent display of some outstanding Shona soft-stone carvings. There is also a small cafe frequented by young, local artists.
Formerly the Queen Victoria Museum.
Houses a priceless collection of Rhodesiana and Africana in the form of diaries, notebooks and reports of various origins. Some of the original works of some of the greatest names in African exploration and missionary can be viewed.
The vast number of rocks of black serpentine stone found around Zimbabwe, and noticeable even as you drive in from the airport, have encouraged the development of stone carvings by Zimbabwe's talented artists. This large area has exhibitions by numerous artists.
A historic Roman Catholic Church.
Anglican cathedral, completed in 1961.
68ha and hosts more than 900 species of wild trees and shrubs from all over the country.
277 hectares of remarkably preserved natural woodland that straddles the banks of the small Mukuvisi stream. A variety of bird and of wild animal species such as giraffe, zebra, impala, tsessche, wildebeest, bushbuck, steenbuck, reed buck and eland can be viewed. You can freely walk on marked trail routes of around 3, 5, 8 and 10 km.
This is a spacious park downtown with a swimming pool and outdoor theater, but it is rather unkempt and unsafe, sadly. (different than the botanical gardens).
Wildlife orphanage and rehabilitation center with resident elephants, giraffes, pangolins, hyenas and lions, among other animals. Afternoon tour: guided walk with connection to various animals (you can feed giraffes, pat wildebeests, etc.), tea break with pastries, lion feeding, sunset with champagne and canapés while watching animals grazing. Morning tour is the same but excludes lion feeding, champagne and canapés.
Game park with various indigenous wildlife represented, particularly ungulate-types, as well as horseback riding.
The country's main cricket ground, established in 1900. With a capacity of 10,000, it hosts Test matches, and Mashonaland Eagles in the domestic league.
A famous balancing rocks formation is located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) southeast of Harare, off the Chiremba Road. These rocks achieved fame when they were featured prominently in the design of Zimbabwe's bank notes. Be careful of your personal safety inside the park.
There are over 50 TM-Pick N Pay stores all over Zimbabwe.
big supermarket chian.
Formerly the highly regarded Amanzi Restaurant, this is a long ($10-15 each way) drive out of town into the upmarket suburbs but worth it. May need to RSVP.
This Portuguese restaurant has invested little in the decor but that is no problem. You go for the food, not the wall decorations, and the food is very good. Quick Service. Half a chicken and chips only $10.
offers an open-air social environment for relaxing.
Well known for its baskets, offer a wide range of food and beverages. Wherever, you are in town, the warm savoury food will be brought to your door.
The main place for backpackers to stay in Harare. At the corner of Ridge and Argyle in Avondale. Camping, dorms, and some private rooms are available.
Gu Bowood Road, Mount Pleasant, North Harare, has 4 double rooms. It is set in beautiful grounds and has internet and a pool. Very peaceful. Costs are around $75 per night for bed & breakfast. Evening meals are also available.
Three-star hotel just to the east of the Central Business District (walkable during the day, not advisable at night).
Gu Westgate, New Adyllin, North Harare, has 8 double rooms, and a large swimming pool. Own water supply (borehole) and el (Solar energy). Internet. Safe. Costs are from $60 per night (cabin) to $70 (Main House) for bed & breakfast.Larger groups have been accommodated. Airport pickup arranged per request.
Backing onto the Harare Gardens park, this moon-shaped hotel provides comfortable accommodation.
Despite the problems experienced in Zimbabwe, Meikles has managed to maintain its standards as one of Africa's best hotels. All the usual amenities and excellent service.
One of the largest shopping malls in Harare, centrally located.
Harare's very modern shopping mall, capped with a skyscraper.
There are 64 Spar stores all over Zimbabwe.
There are over 50 OK stores in Zimbabwe.
By train
National Railways Of Zimbabwe service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and remains suspended as of November 2025.
By car
The condition of the roads in Zimbabwe has deteriorated dramatically since the government has failed to maintain them. Most of the country is now without street lights.
By bus
Buses from Johannesburg are easily available ranging from Eagle Liner (for R330). Greyhound (for R450) and Intercape (R420). The bus takes between 16-24 hours.
By taxi
inDrive is popular in Harare and probably the best app to book a taxi. Hwindi is another option.
By minibus
Minibus taxis are readily available with frequent services between central and all suburbs. Ask around for the terminal for your destination. Typically the fare is about $0.50.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Harare · International · HRE
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