Travel Guide To Harare, Zimbabwe

It's about Zimbabwe's capital and largest city Harare - populated by around 3 million people. By the virtues of the administrative provisions of Zimbabwe the city is equivalent to a province marking itself as country's commercial and communication center as well. Tobacco, maize, cotton and citrus fruits are its one of the main trades and among the main manufactures are textiles, steel and chemicals; not to forget gold mining in the area. It was once a city with modern infrastructure however the image was affected because of its economical downward trend.

Its climate is Subtropical highland climate under the warm temperate category. Harare has three main seasons: A warm wet season that last from November to April, a dry, cool season that lasts from May to August and a rather hot, dry season that lasts from September to October. July is the coldest month and October is the hottest month. The average annual temperature is 17.95 °C.

Getting there and getting around

Harare can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as British Airways, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

Harare Airport caters for almost all of the international flights to the country. Air Zimbabwe is the national Airliner that also operates flights for domestic locations and offers international flights directly to London. International flights are easily available. Taxis from the Airport to the Hotels are very expensive, up to US $ 25 and the price is fixed. This is mainly because Taxi drivers have to pay high fees to the airport authorities.

Other modes of transport include bus and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Harare are The Mining Pension Fund Building, The National Gallery, National Archives, The Queen Victoria Museum and The Harare City Library, The National Botanical Garden, The Kopje, Chapungu Sculpture Park and The Mukuvisi Woodlands.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Harare include, but are not limited to, Cafe Espresso, Chisipite, Avondale, Amanzi Resturant and Coimbra.

When it comes to drinking Harare has got even more to offer. E.g. Stars, Symphony, Globe trotters GT and Balcony.

Entry Requirements - Visas

You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe. This can be obtained from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London or on arrival in Zimbabwe. The current charge for a single entry visit visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is £35.00 or US $55.00, although this could change. If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, bring enough cash with you to pay for your visa on arrival. Ensure you have small notes as immigration officers may not be able to provide change.

Visitors are currently being given entry permission for anything up to 90 days but check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay, although you can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required. It is illegal to give a false statement in support of a visa or to work in Zimbabwe without the correct visa or work permit. A number of people found to be working without the correct permissions have been arrested and deported.

Before you travel first check current entry requirements with theZimbabwean Embassy in London. Anyone intending to carry out journalistic activity needs to arrange prior accreditation through the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. We advise against travel by journalists intending to carry out any reporting or official photography without the proper accreditation as there is a risk of arrest, detention in difficult conditions, and a possible fine, plus a period of further detention or deportation. The Zimbabwean government has made clear that they will penalise any journalists found to be working in Zimbabwe without accreditation.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Your passport should have at least six months validity and three blank pages left in it to enable you to enter Zimbabwe and exit via one of the neighbouring countries, if leaving at short notice becomes necessary. Applications for passport renewals should be submitted at the British Embassy Harare at least a month before you intend to travel.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.

Zimbabwe, Harare, British Embassy

Address:
British Embassy
3 Norfolk Road
Mount Pleasant
P O Box 4490

Telephone:
263 (0) 4 8585 5200 (British Embassy)
263 (0) 4 8585 5200 ext 6806 (Passport section)
263 (0) 4 8585 5300 (DFID)

Fax:
04 338825 (Consular)
04 338826 (Visa)
04 338827 (Reception)
04 338288 (Chancery)
04 338829 (Press Office)
04 338794 (DFID)
Office hours:
Opening Hours (Local Time: GMT + 2 Hours)
Mon-Thur 0800-1630
Friday: 0800-1300
Consular/Passport Section
Mon-Thur: 0830-14:00
Friday: 0830-11:30

Help for British Nationals

Website: http://www.ukinzimbabwe.fco.gov.uk/en

Country	Zimbabwe
Province	Harare
Time Zone	CAT (UTC+2)
Area Code	4

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