Harare travel guide

(Last updated May 2023)

Many visitors arrive at Harare International Airport, merely spend a night in the city centre, sniff their noses at all the concrete and traffic, then travel to the more tourist-oriented areas of Zimbabwe. They write off Harare as one of those places you have to go through to get somewhere else. That’s a mistake, in my eyes. The key to enjoying Harare is to visit the suburbs, not just the city centre. It’s full of quirky venues, lush gardens and wildlife sanctuaries. Keep reading for practical info on where to go in Harare, the best time to visit, safety, and more travel tips.

Harare is where I was brought up, and it has more going for it than first meets the eye. It has interesting art galleries, fascinating historical relics, wildlife sanctuaries and heaps of natural beauty. It’s home to ladies-who-lunch and politicians, accountants and technology whizzes, gardeners and doctors. You’ll see cyclists carrying stacks of firewood on their heads, “emergency taxis” weaving crazily along pot-holed roads and street vendors selling flags at traffic lights. The street lights often don’t work, but houses with generators will be illuminated on every square foot. The cars range from brand-new Hummers to dilapidated VW Beetles. The city centre can look tired and unwelcoming, yet the north-eastern suburbs are spacious and beautiful.

Garden of The Bottom Drawer, a cafe in Harare

Harare is the perfect mish-mash of contradictions to introduce you to the country of Zimbabwe before heading into the bush. As much as I encourage people to see Zimbabwe’s game parks and natural wonders, I think it’s equally important to experience the more gritty, urban side of the country, to see the whole picture. Many of Harare’s beautiful spots are open to the public in the form of garden coffee shops and craft centres, and it’s these that I enjoy the most. Enter a house-turned-cafe in the suburbs and find yourself surrounded by vivid paintings, intricate beadwork and chocolate cake … and who can resist that?

A tranquil view from one of the many rock-mountains, or gomos, close to Harare

Harare statistics

Altitude: 1483 metres (4865 feet) | Size: 872 square kilometres (337 square miles) | Population: 2.1 million (Stats based on 2012 census; includes Chitungwiza) | Pre-independence Colonial name: Fort Salisbury | Founded: 1894 | Nicknames: The Sunshine City, H-town. Dominant languages: English and Shona | Province: Mashonaland | Location: North-East | Dialling code: +263-4

Jacanranda trees in Harare city centre

Best time to visit Harare

• April to August are the best months to visit Harare because there’s very little rain. The coldest months of the year are June and July, where days are sunny but nights can have frost on the ground. The hottest months of the year are October to January, and the wettest months of the year are December and January. Harare’s sights are accessible year-round, though, so timing is not as important as elsewhere in the country.
• In mid-September through to October, Harare is enrobed in “purple snow” as thousands of vivid flowers bloom and fall from the jacaranda trees that line the city’s streets. Check out some beautiful Harare jacaranda photos here. It is a spectacular sight, but remember that October is also Zimbabwe’s hottest month of the year. The flamboyant trees produce glorious red flowers from the end of October, which can also be seen around Harare.

Queen of Hearts Cafe in Harare, complete with water mist sprays

Weather/Average temperatures in Harare

• October to April: (Summer) Daytime average: 26 C / 77 F. Night: 16 C / 61 F. Some rainy days and thunderstorms but mostly sunny and warm. October is the hottest month of the year.
• May to September: (Winter) Daytime average: 23 C / 73 F. Night: 8 C / 46 F. Very little rain, warm days, cool nights.
• See the Zimbabwe weather page for more details about Zimbabwe’s seasons.

Practical information

• Safety: As with any busy city, some areas are more risky than others. The city centre is slightly more dicey, as there are some pick-pockets in the area. Wherever you are, don’t leave valuables in plain sight, and keep a good hold of handbags/briefcases at all times. Unless you’ve pre-arranged your transport with a reliable operator or know exactly where you’re going, don’t drive at night.
• Don’t walk around at night for the same reason – it’s easy to get lost and become a target.
• As always, don’t walk around with too much cash and don’t make a show of expensive goods. Stealing is highly disapproved of by Zimbabweans, but don’t tempt people by flaunting your comparative wealth!
• Avoid actions that could be seen as being politically motivated, such as taking photos of police, army personnel, government buildings, etc. If a cavalcade of police cars and motorbikes approach, this probably means the president is travelling in the convoy. Pull off the road completely and wait for the vehicles to pass. See more information about safety in Zimbabwe here.
• Using cash: Ensure you read my tips for using cash and money in Zimbabwe, too.
• Don’t forget to read the in-depth article on FAQs for visiting Zimbabwe.

Activities in Harare

Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary, near Harare

• Short activity trips: There are a host of splendid sights and activities for all budgets and ages: see Things to do and sights of Harare for a list of these.
• Longer activity trips: Many venues that occupy a whole day (or more), such as larger wildlife sanctuaries and natural areas close to Harare: see Day trips from Harare for a list of those.
• Kid-friendly activities: Read this article for a list of Great places to go with younger kids in Harare. These range from -play centres to hands-on animal interactions.
• Tours: There aren’t many official Harare tours, for the simple reason that the sights are easy to visit without a guide. I would suggest that you visit the places of interest yourself, using transport arranged through your accommodation. If, however, you would like to have someone with you, there is a section about guided Harare tours further down this page.
• What’s on in Harare: Pick up a copy of the magazines such as ‘Ndeipi’ or ‘Hello Harare’ for info on shows, classes and events happening in Harare. You can get these magazines at one of Harare’s coffee shops, supermarkets or bookshops – or search for them on social media. Also follow ‘Whats’up Harare’ and ‘Bambazonke Nhasi’ on social media.

Where to stay in Harare

Photo source: Meikles Hotel, Harare

• Harare has accommodation for a variety of needs. There are luxurious hotels, rustic “city safari” lodges, boutique guest houses, homely B&Bs, and a small number of no-frills backpacking hostels.
• See my detailed article which lists the Best hotels in Harare (including lodges and B&Bs) within a 25 km radius of the city centre.
• If you want ato stay slightly further out of the city, read the post Best day trips from Harare, as many of the lodges in that article offer overnight accommodation.

Health in Harare

• Malaria is not present in Harare, but it is in other areas of the country.
• Harare’s tap water is not the cleanest, so it’s best to drink bottled water not tap water.
• Wildlife: There aren’t any large wild animals in Harare, but there may be spiders, monkeys and (usually harmless) ‘creepy-crawlies’ around. The general rule is that if you stay away from them, they will stay away from you. If you have been bitten by something and are in pain, visit your nearest pharmacy or tell your lodge manager. If you are staying in a lodge or hotel, staff will be equipped to help you know what to do, and to deal with health emergencies. You’re more likely to meet a pet dog or cat in Harare than a wild animal.
• Contact numbers: Emergency telephone numbers in Harare are as follows: Central police station: (+263 4) 777 777 | Private MARS Ambulance: (+263 4) 771 221 | Private EMRAS Ambulance: (+263 4) 250 012. Your accommodation will also have emergency numbers to hand.
• If you are looking for a specific type of medical service in Harare (eg paediatrician or ENT specialist), see the Cimas Zimbabwe website (many of the providers there are not limited to Cimas medical aid).
• For accidents and emergencies, go to the Trauma Centre on Lanark Rd in Borrowdale.
• Please read my article Health information for visitors to Zimbabwe for more guidance on medical considerations. Always travel with Medical Aid.

Ngomakurira Mountain, near Harare

Shopping in Harare

Harare is an exciting place to shop for unique, handmade crafts ranging from homeware to toys.

• Visit Upmarket, Old Stables Market, Queen of Hearts, Chisi Walk and Mbare Market for craft and bespoke items. Have a search for these places on social media or on Google Maps to find them.
• Shona stone sculptures are a key part of Zimbabwe’s cultural and artisan scene, and are sold in shops around the city – try Chapungu Gallery, the Flea Market behind Newlands Shopping Centre, or Avondale Flea Market. It’s fine to haggle at informal markets, but my advice is to settle on a fair price that reflects the workmanship of the creator. Don’t make it into a game of simply getting the lowest price that you can.
• See the “Craft and cake” itinerary in the Harare itinerary page for a suggested tour of Harare’s craft shops, as well as a Google map of some key retail locations.
• Conventional shopping centres in Harare include Sam Levy’s Village, Arundel Village, Avondale Shopping Centre, Westgate and Eastgate, where you will be able to find pharmacies, supermarkets, clothing stores and more (all are listed on Google Maps).

Informal craft market behind Newlands Shopping Centre

Groceries and food in Harare

There are grocery stores at the ‘conventional’ shopping centres that I mentioned above. Supermarket chains include Spar, TM, Town & City; all of which are usually well-stocked and clean.

• Due to Zimbabwe’s economic situation, goods like biscuits, toiletries, nappies and processed foods now need to be imported from South Africa, which makes them more costly.
• Fresh fruit, vegetables and meat are usually abundant; and the fresh produce is one of my favourite things about Zimbabwe.

Books about Harare (fiction)

• Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu: A witty and humorous tale set in modern-day Harare.
• The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah: Many Harare landmarks and suburbs are described in this highly acclaimed novel about an albino woman accused of murdering her father.
• An Elegy for Easterly by Petina Gappah: A collection of satirical and insightful short stories, many of them set in Harare. Winner of the Guardian First Book Award.

Transport in Harare

• Harare’s best sights are spread out, so it’s best to travel by car. See my Harare itineraries page for itinerary ideas and Things to do in Harare for a list of the best sights.
• Your hotel or tour operator will often be happy to organise transport, so do ask about this when booking.
• Alternatively here are links for: Shuttle Direct, Samaita Tours (transfers), Avis Car Rentals, WildRoutes and a directory of taxi services that you can book online or by phone. See the post on Driving in Zimbabwe for a list of car hire companies and information on Zimbabwe roads.
• See the section further down the page about guided tours within Harare.

Getting to Harare / Getting from Harare to other areas

If you need to travel from Harare to Victoria Falls/Bulawayo/elsewhere, read the articles on Harare transport links and Transport in Zimbabwe.

Guided tours in Harare

• Tours within Harare city: There aren’t many guided tours of Harare, one of the reasons being that the sights are easy to see without a guide. I would suggest that you visit the places of interest yourself, using transport arranged through your accommodation. If, however, you would like to have someone with you, try Nyati Travel and Tours, Thingu, Harare Township Tours or WildRoutes. If you want to see Harare’s nightlife however, it is best to do this with a group or a guide.
• Day tours from Harare to other locations in Zimbabwe: This and That Safaris offer half-day and day trips from Harare to Great Zimbabwe Ruins Monument. They also offer a rail tour across Zimbabwe from Harare to Victoria Falls. Black Rhino Safaris offer transfers and guided tours of Great Zimbabwe, as well as trips to Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, and other locations around Zimbabwe. Thingu also offers day trips from Harare to places such as Mutoroshanga and Imire Conservancy.

Driving in Harare

• Tips: See the general page on driving in Zimbabwe for a list of car rental companies, info on road blocks and vehicle requirements.
• Maps: Pick up a Harare street map from a Kingston’s bookshop in Sam Levy’s Village to help you get around, or alternatively print out some Google Maps of specific areas before you go. I’ve prepared a few bespoke Google maps: see the Harare itineraries page which shows crafts, sights, cultural and wildlife tours you could do yourself.
• Road condition: Some of Harare’s streets have atrocious potholes – drive sensibly and slowly around them and you’ll feel like a local in no time.
• Cavalcades: If you hear sirens, or see motorbikes and other vehicles with flashing lights, pull off the road immediately and as far on to the grass as possible. The flashing lights usually mean that the president’s cavalcade is coming past – stay out of trouble by moving well off the road.
• Parking in the suburbs: There is plenty of parking space at most suburban garden cafes and craft shops. Car guards in uniform might offer to watch your car: You can give them a couple of dollars when you leave, if your car has been parked for longer than an hour, but this is not a necessity, and you should only pay someone with a clear uniform or official vest.
• Parking in the city centre: This is more difficult as it can get very congested, but once you’ve found a spot, you’ll be approached by a parking attendant wearing a coloured vest (with the logo ‘Easy Park’). Buy a timed parking token from the attendant (make sure they’re wearing the vest), and display the token in your car windscreen. There are also “parking lots” in the city centre where you’ll pay the attendant at the gate.

More

• Want to know more about the different areas of Harare? See areas and suburbs of Harare.
• See the Harare photo gallery to get a visual idea of what to expect
• Get some inspiration: See Harare itineraries which include itineraries for kids, nature-lovers and culture-heads, as well as a ‘Best of Harare’ itinerary
• See my article on What to pack for a Zimbabwe holiday
• Check out the Quick reference list of Zimbabwe travel articles

Zimbabwe’s capital city of Harare is busy and gritty in the south, genteel and well-to-do in the north, and abuzz with people in the centre. It’s sometimes ugly and overbearing, sometimes soft and enchanting – but remember that wherever you go in Harare, you’re never too far away from beauty in unexpected green enclaves.

Follow Great Zimbabwe Guide on social media for even more travel tips and inspiration: Facebook (@GreatZimbabweGuide) & Instagram(@GreatZimGuide).

Travel articles about Harare, Zimbabwe