Harare, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
Nomad Score:
46%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe, known for its parks and gardens. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.6 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 5-10 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 610 ZWL (Zimbabwean Dollar); cash is preferred in many places. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not drinkable; bottled water recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets; frequent power outages may occur. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Econet, NetOne, and Telecel; affordable data packages available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Visa and MasterCard accepted in urban areas, but cash is king in many scenarios. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and hotels like Meikles Hotel. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Limited; mostly cash transactions, but mobile money (EcoCash) is widely used. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local agents offer various options from $20-$100 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as The Backpackers and Budget Lodge offer bed rates around $15. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Collective - a vibrant workspace with membership plans around $80/month. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee House - a popular spot with good Wi-Fi and a quiet atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Zimbabwe Business Network regularly hosts events for entrepreneurs. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat Meetups Zimbabwe on Facebook provides updates on community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber operate in Harare, offering reliable services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited options for bike rentals; recommended to use local taxis or ride-hailing services. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lake Chivero, approximately 30 km away, offers a beach-like experience. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Zimbabwe has regional flights to neighboring countries. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines offer international connectivity. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Good access to highways leading to other cities and tourist areas. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Harare Railway Station provides limited services, primarily to Bulawayo. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | ZUPCO buses are the main public transport; passes not commonly available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and shared taxis available for travel to nearby towns. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Avenues Clinic is a well-regarded private hospital for comprehensive care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Maya Yoga Studio offers classes frequently; prices around $10/class. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First Harare provides gym facilities; membership starts at $50/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services available at hotels and local laundromats around town. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Food Lovers Market offers delivery; also available through local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sadza with nyama (meat) and vegetables is a staple dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Veggie Café offers a variety of plant-based meal options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Buttercream Bakery is famous for their cakes and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Copacabana Market has local produce and goods at affordable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Zimbabwe's e-commerce scene is budding with stores like ZimShopping and E-Commerce Zimbabwe. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Choppies and OK Zimbabwe offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Harare's Mbare Musika hosts vibrant nightlife with various bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Castle Lager brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wanderlust Restaurant offers a selection of local and imported wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Mbare Market is famous for local street food like samosas and kapenta. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Places like Battered Fish serve popular fish and chips. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The National Gallery of Zimbabwe showcases local art. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museum of Human Evolution explores ancient human history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Heroes' Acre is a significant memorial site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mary's Cathedral is noteworthy for its architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Harare International Festival of the Arts is a major cultural event. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Newlands is known for its mix of cultures and modern vibe. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Harare Theatre hosts various performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mbare Market is the biggest and a hub for local crafts and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The city offers a vibrant music scene with venues like The Book Cafe. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city features several murals and graffiti art, particularly in the CBD. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Zimbo Kitchen offers cooking classes for traditional Zimbabwean dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The National Gallery hosts both permanent and traveling exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Mutual Building is an example of colonial architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Zimbabwe Bird sculptures are cultural symbols of the country. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Harare Gardens offer a beautiful natural escape in the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Gonarezhou National Park is about 450 km away, a bit far but notable. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Avondale area has pleasant walking and cycling paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The views from the Kopje Hill present a great perspective of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lake Chivero is popular amongst bird watchers, especially for Greater Flamingos. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Many parks around the city allow for small bonfires; inquire before. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx offer reliable parcel delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local electronics shops in Eastgate provide repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Book Cafe hosts table tennis events on weekends. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Multiple language schools offer Shona and Ndebele classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Harare City Library is a good place for quiet study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Zimbabwe Republic Police Community Centre hosts various activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GameZone offers gaming spaces for enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Elephant Hills Casino provides variety and excitement for visitors. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² studio = $40,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 50 m² studio = $30,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² apartment = $45,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² apartment = $30,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² apartment = $56,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $480 per m² (e.g., 80 m² apartment = $38,400) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% for corporate entities. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Pay-as-you-earn and corporate taxes apply based on residence. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 40% for incomes above a certain threshold. |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% VAT applies on most goods and services. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, regulations exist for taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annually assessed based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 5% applicable on property purchases. |