The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport serves Harare, it is the largest airport in the country. The airport is around 9 miles from the city center.

There are taxis at the airport that can be found right outside the terminal, the cost of a ride to the city center is around TSH63,000. There are also rental cars at the airport. There are also bus services at the airport.

There are a few options for public transportation in Harare, however, due to how spread out the city is the best option to get around is by car.

There are shared minibus taxis also called kombis that are available in the city and offer frequent services between central and all suburbs. There are several kombi stands located around the city.

There are rental cars available at the airport as well as around the city. It is a good idea to rent a car when visiting the country and the city of Harare. The city is so spread out and many of the attractions cannot be reached without a car. The road conditions in the city are not so great, and parking in the city center can be difficult as it can get very congested. There are parking areas and parking attendants wearing colored vests with the logo ‘Easy Park’. You can buy a timed parking token to display in your car windscreen. There are also parking lots in the city center where you pay the attendant at the gate.

There are two kinds of taxis in Harare; metered taxis and ‘kombis’ which are shared taxis. The metered taxis in the city can be ordered over the phone to take you to a specific destination. The minibus “taxis” are the de facto day-to-day and are an essential part of daily transportation and can be found on the streets. Fares should be negotiated before taking a taxi ride as distances are substantial, and costs can be expensive based on distances.

The Harare Railway station is located on Kenneth Kaunda Ave just south of the city center. There are some trains that arrive in Harare, but no daily train travel around the city.

There are some areas in the city that are walkable such as parts of the city center, markets, and other sightseeing attractions. The rest of the city is very spread out and there are long distances between other destinations in the city. There are also ride-sharing options in the city.

Harare is considered a safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers.

Harare has some good shopping opportunities to experience including plenty of bustling markets like Avondale Market, Upmarket, Old Stables Market, Queen of Hearts, Chisi Walk, and Mbare Market. The city is a great place to shop for unique souvenirs with lots of locally produced art, handmade crafts, and traditional African sculpture and wooden masks. There are several destinations around the city where some great shops can be found including Doon Estate, Uwminsdale, Mbare Musika, and Msasa Park. Luxury shops can be found on Fife Avenue, Sam Nujoma (Union) Avenue, Arundel Village, Avondale, Borrowdale, Eastgate, and Westgate. The luxury shops in the city are mostly concentrated in the wealthier Northern suburbs with stores commanding high prices. The Borrowdale and Borrowdale Brooke neighborhoods are among the most sophisticated places in town featuring upscale shopping opportunities, high-end dining, and entertainment options. There are conventional shopping centers located in Harare including Sam Levy’s Village, Arundel Village, Avondale Shopping Center, Westgate, and Eastgate.

The official language spoken in Harare is Shona. English is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Harare features a subtropical highland climate, and due to its location on a plateau, the high altitude and cool south-easterly airflow lead to a cooler and drier climate. Average annual daily temperatures hover around 64F. The city has three main seasons; a warm, wet summer from November to March/April; a cool, dry winter from May to August which corresponds to winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and a warm to hot, dry season in September and October. There are daily temperatures around 45-72F in July which is the coldest month of the year, in October temperatures are 59-84F the hottest month, and in January they range from 61-79F which is considered midsummer.

The currency of Harare is the Zimbabwean dollar, US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

Harare is the majestic capital of Zimbabwe and is known as the food capital drawing food lovers from all over the world. The bustling capital still retains a lot of its old charm and boasts a wealth of varied restaurants to check out. There are some excellent restaurants to choose from in Harare with some excellent authentic dishes to choose from. Typical Zimbabwean menus feature steak as a prominent item, the beef in this country tastes exceptionally good. There are plenty of freshwater fish options to choose from, as well as the freshest vegetables around. Dishes here are filled with delectable flavors from a rich history and diverse cultures, there are many unique dishes and distinct tastes to choose from. The cuisine is characterized by an intense variety of flavors and textures with the use of many herbs and spices that make the dishes stand out. There are many meat options available like chicken, pig, cow, goat, and sheep that are used to make different types of stews accompanied by various ingredients of vegetables, and potatoes. Fish is usually cooked on teh grill and served with rice or corn, as well as different types of vegetables. There are a number of British restaurants with British cuisine in the city. One of the staple dishes in the country is sadza which is a thick white porridge made from white porridge sort of like mashed potatoes, made with corn (maize) meal, eaten for lunch and dinner.

The capital city offers a vibrant, infamous nightlife, referred to as the entertainment city dominated by upscale restaurants, and dazzling nightclubs and bars. There are a variety of venues to choose from with laid-back jazz and blues clubs, and restaurants with bumping nightclubs with an ever-revolving lineup of DJs and bands. These places are scattered throughout the city, with a cluster of clubs in the newer Sam Levy Village area in Borrowdale, like a strip mall. There are many new establishments that offer live music, dance clubs, sports bars, jazz clubs, pool bars, cafes, and restaurants. The city is considered the city that never sleeps and is the place for a night of fun out on the town with a variety of choices and wholesome entertainment. The Westgate Mall is located in the heart of the city, is the ideal party place, there are bars and restaurants along with live music.

In case of an emergency dial 112 for local police, and 114 for an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals: St. Annes Hospital tel.263-24-230-3360

PSMI West End tel. 263-24-225-1726

HealthPoint tel. 263-24-270-0666