Yes, believe it or not Harare is actually a really great city. Take it from me, I lived there for 2 1/2yrs, only leaving there in April last year (because I couldn't extend my visa any longer not because of the violence).
For the really touristy places, the Kopje ( a "large" hill near the ... Read review
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Advantages: Lots to see and do Disadvantages: plenty of pickpockets around
Yes, believe it or not Harare is actually a really great city. Take it from me, I lived there for 2 1/2yrs, only leaving there in April last year (because I couldn't extend my visa any longer not because of the violence).
For the really touristy places, the Kopje ( a "large" hill near the centre of the city) offers great views of the city. Mbari is one of the poorest areas of Harare, but also boasts the best market for buying ... ...and don't go flashing large wads of money or expensive cameras around or you won't have them for very long. Africa Unity Square, sandwiched between the luxurious Meikles hotel and Parliment buildings is a beautiful, small park, but again beware of pick-pockets. For the ultimate Western shopping experience Westage shopping centre on the northwest side of the city is a fabulous place to spend the day buying anything that isn't souvineers (books, clothes, ... more
Yes, believe it or not Harare is actually a really great city. Take it from me, I lived there for 2 1/2yrs, only leaving there in April last year (because I couldn't extend my visa any longer not because of the violence).
For the really touristy places, the Kopje ( a "large" hill near the centre of the city) offers great views of the city. Mbari is one of the poorest areas of Harare, but also boasts the best market for buying souvineers, make sure you only take the bear essentials along and don't go flashing large wads of money or expensive cameras around or you won't have them for very long. Africa Unity Square, sandwiched between the luxurious Meikles hotel and Parliment buildings is a beautiful, small park, but again beware of pick-pockets. For the ultimate Western shopping experience Westage shopping centre on the northwest side of the city is a fabulous place to spend the day buying anything that isn't souvineers (books, clothes, etc). Take a cab (preferably A1, Yellow Cab or Rixi Taxis) or catch a commuter omnibus (public transport) from the city centre.
The best places to buy souvineers are actually the roadside markets on the roads leading out of town, the ones in the centre will rip you off. But be prepared for plenty of bartering.
My favourite place to eat and "people watch" used to be The Italian Bakery, a lovely little restaraunt/cafe in one of the suburbs just 5mins from the city centre. Their Chicken a la Creme is simply divine. Good drinking/partying places are Circus club and the Sports Cafe, the latter of which tends to be more "white" that the first.
On the Security side, with the current situation its generally safe. If you're wanting to read news from a non-government point of view there are plenty of papers easily available (Daily News, Financial Gazette). However, when in Cafe's if you want to discuss politics keep you're voice down - although you shouldn't have a problem in any of the more popular places.
Basically it's just a case of seeing what takes you're fancy, if you're not sure the tourist information place is on the edge of Africa Unity Square in the centre of the city
Advantages: cheap Disadvantages: can't think of any
...where I will die. Harare is a city that desparately wants to be modern but fails miserable due to the lack of money. It is unlike any city I have ever been to. There are a lot of trees and flowers but you could never say that its appearance was tidy. There are a lot of very happy friendly people that will look you in the eye and smile even if you have never met them. Some people think Harare is a dangerous place. I am a 22 year old woman who has ...
purplefroggie 30.06.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Harare (Zimbabwe)
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I recently went to Zimbabwe to stay with some friends that have recently moved out there. (Anyone thinking "Are you Crazy, don't you watch the news" please read my "the media speaks such crap" article)
Anyway, To go bowling in Zimbabwe, Harare at least. You get to the bowling ally and that looks normal, you go inside, still normal. You look at the skittles, all normal. The you try finding the right size and weight ball! NOT NOT NOT normal, i can promice you there is no two bowling balls in Harare that are the same.
It's an experience, a funny one........try it.! ...
Advantages: Cheap, excellent wildlife, excellent natural features Disadvantages: Current unrest
Zimbabwe is one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited.
I went for three weeks in 1992 flying to Harare and then went round the country in an old army truck camping as we went. The highlights for me in these three weeks were:
1. Bulawayo - go and visit the steam train museum. We went when it was closed but the people there opened up just for the three us. It was also the only place I saw mention of Rhodesia in the time I was there. Yes even in 1992 the colonial past was being washed away!
2. Great Zimbabwe - This site shows what the people of Africa were capabable of centuries ago.
3. Cecil Rhodes' grave - This was more of a pilgrimage (I am also a Rhodes!). The view at sunset from here is worth seeing too.
4. Hwange National Park - Excellent wildlife. We were there in September at the end of the dry ...
Advantages: the cabin crew is very friendly... Disadvantages: boring music offered, no T.V on board, not enough milk and sugar for the tea etc
Air Zimbabwe is a Zimbabwean airline which operates both domestic and international. Domestically it operates in Big cities such as Harare, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo etc. Internationally it operates in countries such as England, China, Egypt etc. However nowadays due to the country's economy corruption the services to other various countries and cities has been limited and some services have been stopped.
I used air Zimbabwe once when I went to Zimbabwe for a holiday for three weeks. I used air Zimbabwe because it is the only non-stop plane to Zimbabwe and is cheaper compared to other airlines that travel to Zimbabwe such as Kenya airways, BA, Egypt Airways, KLM etc.
However, because I live in England the only airport that air Zimbabwe operates at is Gatwick airport, which I don't have a problem with as I live two minutes drive ...
shaaza 28.07.2008 (31.07.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Air Zimbabwe
