Wildlife
Harare is an ideal gateway to some of the best wildlife parks in the country. Haka Game Park and Mukuvisi Woodlands are both in close proximity to the city centre.
Rich in unique experiences and wildlife adventure, Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe. With more than 1.56 million residents, it is the largest city in the country. Harare offers an artistic vibrancy with a distinctive African feel and numerous escapes into the wild. Top attractions include Mukuvisi Woodlands, The Shona Sculpture Garden and Wild Is Life Sanctuary.
Cheap flights to Harare are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to be amazed by this African treasure! Harare is home to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE), which is located on a quick, 20-minute drive from the city centre. Harare International Airport serves a multitude of airlines, including – South African Airways, British Airways, Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet. Non-stop direct flights are available from Johannesburg. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
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Harare is an ideal gateway to some of the best wildlife parks in the country. Haka Game Park and Mukuvisi Woodlands are both in close proximity to the city centre.
The National Gallery showcases pieces of locally painted masterpieces, as well as traditional Shona art sculptures. Uniquely designed pieces can also be bought at local markets.
For splendid panoramic views, put on your hiking boots and brace the trails of Harare. Visit Ngoma Kurira or Domboshawa and pack in some snacks for a great morning outdoors.
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Currency | Zimbabwean Dollar |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 27.25 ZWD |
| Language | English, Shona and Ndebele |
| Hub Airport | Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) |
| Airline | Air Zimbabwe |
| Time Zone | GMT+ 2 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type D / G |
Harare is lucky enough to experience wonderful weather all year so the best time to visit this enigmatic city would depend on what your plans are. The city experiences its dry season from April to September so all of the wildlife parks and outdoor attractions are open and available to visit during this time. The wet season begins in November again, which can be absolutely beautiful to witness as this is when the country’s greenery comes alive. It gets a bit chilly from June to August, but nothing too bad, so just make sure to pack in a light jacket and a pair of socks!
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall levels (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 16°C | 16°C | 15°C | 13°C | 10°C | 8°C | 7°C | 9°C | 12°C | 14°C | 16°C | 16°C |
| High °C | 25°C | 25°C | 24°C | 24°C | 22°C | 19°C | 19°C | 22°C | 25°C | 27°C | 27°C | 25°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 191 | 176 | 99 | 37 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 39 | 93 | 183 |
There is so much more to the capital of Zimbabwe than the dusty street markets and tall skyscrapers that you may find on posters of the city. Harare may not be Zimbabwe’s most popular destination but it has beauty and adventure hidden around most of its corners. While sightseeing around in the city centre is a great start to your trip, make sure to save plenty of space on your itinerary for the leafy suburbs and grand open spaces with its distinctive African feel.
Harare is the artistic hub of Zimbabwe, with the National Gallery highlighting many local artists and showcasing many traditional sculptures from the indigenous cultures. You can also find many beautiful artifacts and souvenirs out on the streets of the city! Try the Avondale Flea market for a vast range of Zimbabwean pieces.
The appeal to many that visit Zimbabwe lies in the allure of wildlife all around. There are many game parks and nature reserves nearby Harare and two animal sanctuaries – Wild is Life and Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary. Work up a sweat by hiking up the Domboshawa hill which is found on the edge of the city centre and enjoy the views of the city. There are also many other summits to conquer, such as Ngoma Kurira.
Compare several airlines and book cheap flights to Harare with poular flight routes from Johannesburg to Harare and Cape Town to Harare.
South Africans who wish to visit Harare in Zimbabwe do not need a visa to do so. You will be granted entry into the country at all access points on presentation of your valid passport.
For more information, please contact the Embassy of Zimbabwe, in Pretoria: Zimbabwe House 798 Merton Street P. O. Box 55140 Arcadia 0007 Pretoria South Africa Tel: (+27) 12 342 5125 Fax: (+27) 12 342 5126
Harare is quite a safe city to visit and there are always people out and about. As it does get quite busy, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and not to be flashy with your expensive possessions as theft does occur. Also, it is better to travel by private taxi in the evenings and not to walk around alone after dark. When taking photos, make sure that you are allowed to photograph the building or street that you’re on, as this is not allowed in some areas of the city due to political reasons.
It is always important to go for a general health check-up before a trip overseas. For your trip to Zimbabwe, it is strongly recommended to get the following vaccinations: hepatitis A, malaria and typhoid.
| Item | Johannesburg | Cape Town | Harare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal inexpensive restaurant | R 90.00 | R 100.00 | R 94.34 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter draught) | R 22.00 | R 20.00 | R 14.38 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 19.00 | R 20.00 | R 31.77 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | R 10.00 | R 12.00 | R 13.48 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 35.00 | R 35.00 | R 26.96 |
Harare is no stranger to visitors and so has a large array of accommodation available, depending on your taste and budget. There are some great 3 – 5 star hotels available in the city centre as well as budget-friendly hostels that offer comfortable beds for a night or two. For top-end accommodation that comes with wonderful views of the city, consider staying at one of the safari lodges in the Ballantyne Park/Borrowdale area. For affordable guest houses with welcoming hosts, have a look at the suburb of Mount Pleasant.
The most common way to get around in Harare is to use public transport. There are buses and minibus taxis but unless you know exactly where you want to get off, they might be confusing to navigate. If you find yourself needing to travel around the city after dark, it would be a good idea to call a private taxi and when doing so, discuss the price ahead of time with your driver. There are also many car rental companies available in the city.
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