Harare, Getting Away to the Sunshine City of Zimbabwe
Dubbed as the Sunshine City or H Town, Harare, Zimbabwe is the capital city of the country. It is also the most populated city, with over 1.6 million residents. Harare lies in the Mashonaland region at over 1,400 meters above sea level. When the town was founded in 1890, it was originally called as Fort Salisbury in honor of Lord Salisbury, the British prime minister. It was only renamed in 1982 during the country’s second anniversary of independence. The city is served by the Harare International Airport, the primary entry to the country and accommodates over a million passengers yearly. Hotels and accommodations can be easily found around this airport.
Best Time to Visit
The best month to visit Harare is arguably in April when the city is at its busiest hosting the Harare International Festival of Arts and Harare Jazz Festival. The temperature is typically cold during this season. Nevertheless, tourists still flock to the city for the festivities and the relatively cheaper Harare, Zimbabwe hotels.
What to Do & Area Attractions
For backpackers interested in the culture and history of the country, the National Archives of Zimbabwe and the National Museum are two of the best places to visit. Afterward, you can stroll around the Harare Gardens, the city’s biggest park where the majority of the locals hang out. After a long day out in the sun, enjoy the luxurious pools at the budget-friendly Meikles Hotel, Jacana Gardens Guest Lodge, and Sunbird Guest House.