Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe, once known as Salisbury.Harare is home to some two million people, with most in central Harare but some 500,000 in the surrounding districts of Rural Harare, Chintungwiza and Epworth. Once a city of modern buildings, wide thoroughfares, numerous parks and gardens, it suffered from increasing disrepair thanks to Zimbabwe’s economic downward spiral. However, there have recently been a few signs of improvement as the decision of the country to adopt the US dollar as its currency has begun to facilitate some investments.Harare’s airport is the major gateway for flights into the country. Air Zimbabwe also operated a small network of domestic flights before ceasing operations. However, an increasing number of foreign airlines are flying into Harare these days. They include South African Airways with direct flights from Johannesburg . Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa , Kenya Airways from Nairobi TAAG Angola Airlines from Luanda. and Egypt Air from Cairo via Dar es Salaam.Taxis from the airport to the main hotels cost $25. This exhorbitant fixed price, given the relatively short distance and great age of the taxis, is caused by the drivers’ high fees required to the airport authority.Train services have been badly hit by the economic troubles in Zimbabwe during recent years but most domestic trains are now running daily once agian. Bulawayo sees departures every night at 9 p.m., arriving next morning around 8 a.m. Trains from Mutare at the border with Mozambique runs three times a week departing Mutare also at 9 p.m., the arrivial time in Harare being 5:20 a.m. There are currently no international trains to Harare except occasional cruise trains.A good road from Johannesburg allows easy access. However, be careful of the sometimes frightening drops at the side of the roads, at the edge of the tarmac, particularly with oncoming trucks at night. In fact, night driving is not advised.Buses from Johannesburg are easily available ranging from Greyhound and Intercape to the local ones. The bus takes 16-24 h. Delays at the border are very common and typically range 3-8 h, but they can be as much as 20 h at Christmas time.Most ordinary long-distance bus services arrive at the Mbare Terminal, located 3 km southwest of the Central district. The terminal itself is giant, hectic, confusing, and dangerous. There are several disconnected regions of the terminal, and finding something as simple as a taxi can require walking over 500 m through markets and alleys.Although minibuses to Mbare depart from the 4th Street Terminal in Central (located at 4th and Mugabe), it may be worth taking a taxi, which will be able to find a bus to your destination for you. “Luxury” buses (including Greyhound/Intercape) to Johannesburg and most other international destinations arrive and depart from the modern Roadport terminal at 5th and Mugabe.Harare is very spread out. The best option to get around is by car, which is easier now that dollarization has made fuel shortages a thing of the past. Fuel is freely available at most outlets for cash or through a coupon system. Most operators now import fuel by themselves and prices are independently set. Most service stations close early, but a few offer 24 hour service. Be prepared for frequent police roadblocks, in which the police will solicit a bribe for “something” that is wrong with your vehicle.In 4+1 style taxis, it is very common to fit as many as 8 people inside. Rides around town should cost about $5 for the entire cab at night, typically $2 or $3 during the day, unless you are going to the suburbs. Make sure to negotiate the price before you get inside the carMinibus taxis are readily available with frequent services between central and all suburbs. Ask around for the terminal for your destination. Typically, the fare is about $1.There is a strong appreciation for the city’s cultural and historical heritage and a number of the older buildings have been preserved.The Mining Pension Fund Building at Central Avenue and Second Street is one example and many more are to be found along Robert Mugabe Road between Second Street and Julius Nyerere Way.The Book Cafe has a wide variety of live music throughout the week (Mondays are for amateur musicians only), and there is another club that plays Afro-jazz right next door.Virtually all purchases in larger stores are made with US dollars, which is de facto the national currency. Rands are accepted, but you should check the exchange rate at the place first. Many accept rands (or give them in change) at a R7 or R8 to $1 ratio less favourable than the official rate.Anything made locally is inexpensive. Everything imported is relatively expensive compared to South Africa. Cans of Coca-cola typically cost $1, for example.If you wanted to experience shopping the way that it is traditionally done in many African countries, you could stroll around at the open flea market at Mbare.Here tourists could feast their eyes on a colourful array of baskets, food, clothing and other items.ATMs generally give government bond notes rather than US dollars. It is currently (June 2017) a challenge to find money in ATMs but apparently, the CABS in Borrowdale always has bond notes available. The ATMs at Barclays will accept most international Visa cards

Airport: HRE Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Cities in Zambia

Country: Zimbabwe