Harare
Tourist-friendly capital has got it all
H
arare, in north-eastern
In the past, Harare was often
open round the clock. Sam
capital and home to over one
destination for onward flights to other
and dining complex in
Zimbabwe, is the nation’s
and a half million people – although the city is surprisingly uncrowded.
Officially known until 1982 as Salisbury, the city was founded in 1890 and
named after the then British Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury.
regarded as simply a stopover
parts of the country or continent, but
today it is a popular visitor destination in its own right. The city has excep-
tionally good transport links with other parts of Africa, including direct flights to major cities in Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Borrowdale, is known for its
buzzing nightlife. The city has sports bars, jazz clubs and
pool bars, while for those who
prefer a more relaxed evening
there are cafés and restaurant
bars. Eastgate Mall in the city centre is a good place to unwind after a day of
Harare is a modern, well planned
Harare is known as Africa’s Sunshine
infrastructure – among the best in
that prevail for much of the year
From museums and galleries to
November to March. A popular time
parks, there is something for
city. With its highly developed
sub-Saharan Africa – the city is easy to get around for local people and tourists alike.
City because of the sunny blue skies except in the rainy season from
for tourists to visit is June, when they can expect to enjoy temperatures
that are comfortably cooler than at other times of the year. September
and October are popular times to visit Harare, too, when the famous jacaranda trees are in full bloom.
Delicious cuisine There is no lack of restaurants and bars offering a variety of delicious cuisine, from
Italian to Japanese to local Zimbabwean and other
African dishes. A notable
influence is that of Portugal,
with a choice of restaurants
catering to the tastes of the
city’s Portuguese residents.
Expect dishes of spicy chicken
and roasted goat paired with rice
and fresh bread.
Being both Zimbabwe’s capital and its largest city, Harare has a lively night
scene, with many bars and nightclubs
18
Levy’s Village, the shopping
sightseeing and exploring Harare.
shopping malls and recreational everyone in Harare. Visitors will find
top retail and entertainment brands
in its impressive malls, which include Joina City, Sam Levy’s Village and
Eastgate Shopping Mall. For those
who enjoy arts and crafts and street
markets, the Avondale Flea Market on Bath Road is an authentic marketplace selling handmade products
and souvenirs at reasonable prices. Equally, the Mbare Market offers
an intriguing mix of fresh produce and handicrafts such as Shona
sculptures, wooden craftware and basketry.
Harare is a place of history and culture. The National Gallery of
Zimbabwe in the heart of the city
houses both national and international collections and exhibitions
and also has a permanent display of
Shona soft-stone carvings. Chapungu Sculpture Park in Msasa contains
impressive Zimbabwean stone sculptures and is also a perfect place for birdwatching.
