Office blocks and streets in central Harare under a cloudy sky

Region guide

Harare & Mashonaland

The capital and main international gateway, with galleries, markets and green suburbs — and Lake Chivero and Chinhoyi Caves within reach.

Photo: Harare movers and shakers.jpg by Brandon Mushori, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

Provinces: Harare; Mashonaland East, West and Central
Main bases: Harare, especially the northern suburbs
Getting there: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport; main roads to Mutare, Masvingo, Bulawayo and north-west towards Chinhoyi and Kariba
Pairs well with: Mana Pools and Lake Kariba to the north-west; the Eastern Highlands to the east; Great Zimbabwe to the south

Where to stay in Harare

280 places to stay are currently listed here, each one checked before it was published.

Cosy Harare Haven Cottage, Harare28 Benghazl Rd Apartment · Apartment

New 2BR Apartment in Westlands, HarareFlat 9 Block 7 Westlands Madokero · Apartment

Cozy 2 Bedroom Apartment in the Heart of Harare CBD96 Third Street, Harare · Apartment

View all 280 places to stay Find accommodation Check availability in Harare

The availability button opens a Booking.com search for Harare through Stay22, not one named property. Booking is made with an independent provider, which is the merchant of record; we may earn a commission on a qualifying booking.

Tours and activities in Harare

12 guided experiences here are currently bookable through our catalogue, run by local operators and booked through Viator.

Private Harare City Tour: Wildlife, Art & Iconic Landmarks5 hours to 7 hours

Harare Exclusive Chauffeur Services1 day to 6 days

The Best of Harare City Tour by Car4 hours to 5 hours

See all 12 Harare tours

Why travellers stop in Harare

Most international trips to Zimbabwe start or end in Harare, and a night or two here is often the practical way to arrive, recover and organise a drive or connecting flight. The city has a lively arts scene centred on the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and its sculpture tradition, busy markets, and a leafy residential character that makes the northern suburbs pleasant places to stay.

Much of the accommodation is in suburbs such as Borrowdale, Avondale and Highlands rather than in the central business district. In this guide those suburbs are part of Harare, not separate destinations — the finder recognises their names.

Short trips out of the city

Lake Chivero Recreational Park, south-west of the city, combines a reservoir with a small game area and is a common weekend escape. North-west on the A1 towards Kariba, the Chinhoyi Caves are a limestone cave system known for the deep blue water of the Sleeping Pool, and they make a natural break on the long drive to Lake Kariba or Mana Pools.

Where to stay

Harare itself holds most of the accommodation. Lake Chivero and Chinhoyi suit short breaks and stopovers.

HarareCity hotels and guest lodges across the centre and the northern suburbs.Accommodation in Harare →Lake ChiveroLodges and camps near the lake and its recreational park.Accommodation in Lake Chivero →ChinhoyiStopover accommodation near the caves on the road to Kariba.Accommodation in Chinhoyi →

All Harare accommodation Search this region in the finder

Check before you go

Arrival procedures, airport transfer options and road conditions change. Confirm airport and border requirements with official sources, and check local advice on safe transport before arrival.

Nearby regions

Sources and further reading: Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. Operational details such as fees, opening times and road conditions change; confirm them with the official source before travelling.