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Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe · Capital City

Harare

Zimbabwe’s capital — sprawling, jacaranda-lined, and the gateway to most northern itineraries.

Harare is the working capital: 2.1 million people, avenues that turn lavender with jacaranda in October, and the country’s strongest food, art and market scene.

The National Gallery holds the country’s best contemporary collection; Mbare Musika fills three city blocks. As a gateway it earns its keep — 50 minutes by air to Mana Pools, 45 to Kariba, and nearly every northern itinerary starts or ends here.

“Most travellers fly through Harare without stopping. Give it a day. The food, the markets, the National Gallery — it deserves more than a transit night.”

Josh Elliott · Founder · Fifth-generation Zimbabwean

Best Year-round 2 experiences National Gallery · Mbare Market

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Guest review

What guests say about Harare.

A named guest, a real trip and a travel date.

We landed in Harare and had two hours. We spent them at the National Gallery and didn't want to leave. Take more than a transit night here.

Eric

Chicago · 16-night Zimbabwe-Botswana circuit, October 2025

Josh Elliott, founder of ZimTravellers

Why ZimTravellers

One person plans your trip. He lives here.

ZimTravellers is not a call centre. Josh Elliott — fifth-generation Zimbabwean, owner of Matobo Hills Lodge — writes every itinerary himself, drives these roads, and answers every email within one working day. That changes what a trip here can be.

One local point of contact

You plan directly with Josh from first enquiry to the trip itself — one point of contact, whether the day is run by our own team or a hand-picked local operator.

Generations deep

Five generations in Zimbabwe. The guides, the border posts, the fuel stops — known first-hand, not from a supplier manual.

Direct WhatsApp line

WhatsApp Josh before, during and after the trip. Office hours Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 and Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT — replies within one working day.

Stories, not schedules

Routes built around what you want from the country — not a fixed departure sheet with your name added.

Tell Josh what you’d want from a few days in Harare and he’ll write you a route. No template, no commission desk.

Make an enquiry

Recommended accommodation

Where we stay in Harare.

A short planning list, not a price promise. We confirm the right property, room and current rate for your dates before you commit.

Harare

Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles

Harare stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.

Ask Josh about this stay →
Josh Elliott

Speak to Josh

Plan your Harare trip.

Tell me your dates, your party, and what you want from Harare. I’ll reply with a route and honest advice on what to skip.

Make an enquiry WhatsApp Josh

+263 77 587 6661 · Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 · Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT · Closed Sundays & public holidays

“I answer every email here personally — within one working day.”

Ways to travel

How do you want to do this?

Packing for a tailor-made Zimbabwe trip

Tailor-made

Your dates, your pace, your rooms. Josh writes the route from scratch around what you want from the country — most guests travel this way.

On the map

The north-east — the capital.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is Zimbabwe’s main international gateway. Airlines and schedules change, so we confirm the best connection and hotel transfer for your dates.

Map of Zimbabwe showing Victoria Falls and neighbouring regions Victoria Falls sits on the north-west border. Hwange lies south-east of it, Matobo Hills and Bulawayo in the south-west, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools along the northern border, Harare in the north-east. Victoria Falls Hwange · ±3 h by road Lake Kariba · charter Mana Pools · charter Harare Bulawayo · ±5 h Matobo Hills

Every marker is a link — tap a region to open its page. Hold Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) and scroll, or use the buttons, to zoom.

When to travel

Twelve months in the capital.

● Peak◐ Shoulder○ Green season

Year-round. May–August is cool and dry. October is jacaranda month and the photographic pick. November–March brings hot days and honest afternoon storms.

Frequently asked

Harare, answered.

Yes — half-day at minimum. National Gallery, Mbare Market and a meal is one of the better afternoons in the country.

Plan your trip

More than a stopover.

Tell Josh your dates and your party. You’ll get a route, straight answers, and a reply within one working day.