Harare Travel Guide

Harare (formerly Salisbury) is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe, on a plateau about 1,500 meters above sea level in the north-central part of the country, the political, economic and cultural center and main gateway hub - most international travelers enter here and use Harare as a transit point to Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe ruins and other places. It is mild, green and diverse; mild all year round, the dry season (May-Oct) is better, and jacarandas bloom Oct-Nov. Thanks to its plateau location the climate is mild and pleasant (unlike the hot lowlands), and one of its most distinctive features is the city's greenery and flowers - shaded by trees and full of parks, especially in spring (around Oct-Nov) when the jacarandas bloom and dye the streets a dreamy purple-blue, earning it the names Garden City or Sunshine City. Worth visiting are the National Gallery, which collects and displays rich Zimbabwean Shona stone sculpture (a distinctive, world-renowned art form) and African contemporary art, the beautiful National Botanical Garden, and the Kopje viewpoint overlooking the whole city. The most local experience is the lively Mbare traditional market and Shona stone sculpture markets. USD is widely used, mainly cash. A Type G adapter is needed.