Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe, and one of the more attractive and safer Southern African capitals. Situated in one of Zimbabwe's most lush areas, Harare is home to a great number of trees, gardens and green spaces. The city has had some economic setbacks, but still engages visitors with numerous restaurants, art galleries, wildlife sanctuaries, craft markets and more.
Best Time to Visit
- Visiting between April and August will likely enable you to avoid the annual rains and take advantage of the warm days and cool nights. Overall, there is very little rain between May and September, and you can expect fewer insects, thus lowering the risk of malaria. If you’re traveling between October and April, there may be some rainy days and thunderstorms, but the rest of the time you’ll find the weather sunny and warm. You also may want to avoid traveling near presidential elections, as these can provoke violence. Elections are intended to occur every six years, but can be somewhat sporadic, so check first with a political-specific website like zimbabwesituation.com.
Before You Go
- You’ll need a passport and visa if you are coming from the United States. Regular visas are $70, at the time of this writing, and are usually processed in about seven business days. The Centers for Disease Control recommends travelers get vaccinations for hepatitis A, malaria and typhoid. For those who will be camping, hiking, biking, caving, or doing any other travel that may result in animal bites, the CDC also suggests a rabies vaccine.
- Safety
- Lonely Planet cites carjacking and carside assault and robbery as the main dangers in Harare. Drive with the doors locked, keep purses and valuables locked in the trunk, and don't roll down windows for strangers. Avoid stopping at traffic lights after dark. The Great Zimbabwe Guide recommends prearranging your transport service if you must be out in the evening, and not to walk by yourself if it’s dark out.
What To Do
- The outskirts of Harare offer a great deal of wildlife viewing opportunities. Varden Safaris can help you set up horseback riding tours to see bat caves, hippos and other animals in the wild. Or visit the Wild is Life animal sanctuary for an opportunity to spend time with the pangolin, which looks a bit like a scaly anteater, as well as giraffes, monkeys, lions and other big cats. If you prefer bird watching, try the Kuimba Shiri Bird Sanctuary. For shoppers, don’t miss Doon Estate, where you can find handmade pottery and local fabrics alongside Belgian chocolates. The Avondale Flea Market is an open-air market with stalls selling specialty items like mbiras, drums, carvings and other handmade art; just remember, you’re expected to haggle here. After shopping, catch a show at the market’s nearby cinema, or relax in one of the coffee shops or restaurants.
