Essentials
- City
- Harare, Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe
- Population
- Approximately 1,600,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-40 Mbps (Fiber available via Liquid Home/ZOL); 5G available in select areas
- Currency & Banking
- Multi-currency system. 1 USD ≈ 13.50 ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold). USD is the preferred payment currency for expats.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water (e.g., Schweppes or ZLG) is essential.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK style) / Type D. Note: Frequent load shedding; solar/inverters are standard in expat homes.
- SIM Card
- Econet Wireless (Best coverage) or NetOne. eSims available at Econet Joina City.
- Banking for Expats
- Stanbic, Standard Chartered, Nedbank. Mobile money (EcoCash) is vital for local transactions.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Property.co.zw for long-term rentals; serviced apartments in Avondale.
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially. Cards accepted in major supermarkets, but physical USD cash is necessary for smaller shops and fuel.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $40–$120/night depending on solar backup status.
- Budget Accommodation
- Small World Backpackers Lodge (Avondale) - approx. $20/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Avenues (close to museums) or Borrowdale (upscale shopping).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Avondale (central, walkable cafes) or Mount Pleasant (quiet, near amenities).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impact Hub Harare (200 Herbert Chitepo Ave) - $15/day, $150/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mukuvisi Woodlands Cafe (Hillside) or Bottom Drawer (Milton Park). Stable Wi-Fi and generator backup.
- Networking Events
- Tech Hub Harare meetups and Shoko Festival networking sessions.
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Harare Facebook Group and Dutch Club (Quorn Ave, Mount Pleasant).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive (highly popular) or Hwindi. Expect to pay $5–$10 for cross-city trips.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not localized; individual rentals available via private Facebook marketplaces.
- Best Beach Nearby
- No ocean access (landlocked). Closest is Beira, Mozambique (approx. 8 hours drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Zimbabwe or fastjet (highly reliable for regional routes).
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and South African Airways.
- Highway Access
- A1 (to Chirundu/Zambia) and A2 (to Mutare/Mozambique border).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Harare Railway Station (Kenneth Kaunda Ave) - mainly used for cargo and limited overnight passenger service to Bulawayo.
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass system. Commuter omnibuses (Kombis) cost approx. $0.50 - $1.00 paid in USD.
- Regional Travel
- Intercity buses like City Link or Luxury Coaches (Pathfinder) to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- provides Trauma Centre & Hospital (Belgravia) - high standard private care.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Room (Mount Pleasant) or PaHeu Wellness Centre.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Innovation Fitness (Village Walk, Borrowdale) - approx. $60/month.
- Laundry Services
- Sparkle Dry Cleaners (Avondale Shopping Centre).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Munch Zimbabwe or Dial-A-Delivery (DAD).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sadza with Nehari (Beef stew) and Covo (leafy greens) at Gava’s Restaurant.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Freshly Ground (Avondale) or various Indian restaurants in the CBD.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Tinkabell’s (Ardbennie) or The Plot (Borrowdale).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mbare Musika (local market - very cheap but busy) or OK Supermarkets.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Ownai or Hammer and Tongue Shoppers.
- Grocery Delivery
- Fresh In A Box (highly recommended for locally sourced produce).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Borrowdale (Sam Levy’s Village) for upscale; Helensvale for bars like Tin Roof.
- Local Brewery
- Delta Corporation (Zambezi Lager, Castle); Craft option: The Stables.
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Barrel (Borrowdale).
- Street Food Stalls
- Roadside 'Chicken Inn' or roasted maize (corn) vendors ($0.50 a cob).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Amanzi Restaurant (International fusion) and Coimbra (Famous Portuguese chicken).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Heroes Acre and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences (Civic Centre).
- Historical Sites
- Kopje Lookout Point (the highest point in Harare for a panoramic view).
- Religious Sites
- Anglican Cathedral of St Mary and All Saints (CBD).
- Annual Events
- HIFA (Harare International Festival of the Arts) - traditionally late April.
- Cultural Districts
- Mbare for traditional crafts and history.
- Theater Venues
- Reps Theatre (Belgravia).
- Local Markets
- Avondale Flea Market (Second-hand books, clothes, and curios).
- Music Scene
- Jazz 24/7 or live mbira music at various city venues.
- Street Art
- First Street pedestrian mall murals.
- Cooking Classes
- Tinkerbell’s Kitchen offers occasional workshops.
- Art Galleries
- First Floor Gallery Harare (CBD/Avondale).
- Historic Buildings
- Parliament of Zimbabwe (CBD).
- Local Heritage
- The Great Zimbabwe Bird (Stone-carved soapstone birds symbolize national identity).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mukuvisi Woodlands (5km from city) - Giraffe and Zebra sightings.
- National Parks Nearby
- Hwange National Park (Flight required) or closer: Lake Chivero Recreational Park (30km away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Wild Geese Lodge trails or Cleveland Dam.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Domboshawa Red Rocks (25km North) - Incredible sunset granite hills.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Monavale Vlei (Important Bird Area).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Kuimba Shiri Bird Park (Lake Chivero).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Samora Machel Ave) or Fedex.
- Tech Repair Services
- Solution Centre (Avondale) - Official Apple Authorized Service Provider.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Harare Sports Club.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de Harare (328 Herbert Chitepo Ave).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Harare City Library (Rotten Row).
- Community Centers
- Celebration Centre (Borrowdale).
- Gaming Lounges
- The Lab (Mount Pleasant).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Regency Casino (Rainbow Towers Hotel).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $40,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $54,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $68,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 24.72% (includes AIDS levy)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 15% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Source-based tax system (Income from a Zimbabwean source is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (on income over set thresholds)
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, but limited enforcement compared to EU.
- Property Tax
- Yes, monthly 'Rates' paid to City of Harare; varies by neighborhood.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Capital Gains Tax (5% for property acquired after 2009) and 1-4% Stamp Duty.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa. Most work on 90-day tourist visas (renewable once).