Harare is often the entry point for travelers, and rather than rushing off, families should linger to experience the accessible wildlife and culture on the highveld. The city is known as the "Sunshine City" for its pleasant, temperate climate. A top priority for families is the Wild Is Life sanctuary (by appointment), a haven for orphaned elephants and other wildlife. It offers a calm, intimate interaction with animals that is educational and deeply moving for children, teaching them about conservation efforts in a safe, controlled environment.
For a more active day out, Domboshava, located about 30 minutes north of the city, offers iconic geological scenery. The massive granite dome is a relatively easy hike, suitable for most children. At the top, families are rewarded with 360-degree views and lichen-covered rocks that glow orange and red at sunset. The site also features ancient San rock art in caves near the base, providing a glimpse into the region's prehistoric past. Another nearby gem is the Mukuvisi Woodlands, where families can walk or cycle through a game reserve just kilometers from the suburbs, spotting giraffe, zebra, and impala without the need for a 4x4.
To the northwest lies Chinhoyi Caves, a system of limestone caverns featuring the Wonder Hole and the Sleeping Pool, known for its incredible cobalt blue water. It is a visually striking stopover where kids can peer into the deep, clear water (swimming is for qualified divers only). Culturally, Harare is the center of the Shona sculpture movement. A visit to the Chapungu Sculpture Park allows kids to see these unique stone creations in a garden setting. The city offers modern malls, cinemas, and a variety of family-friendly restaurants in suburbs like Avondale and Borrowdale, ensuring a comfortable start or end to a Zimbabwean holiday.
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Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Features unique geological sites like the Chinhoyi Caves and internationally recognized wildlife sanctuaries like Wild Is Life. The dry season from April to September provides optimal wildlife viewing and clear trekking conditions.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
A significant hub for contemporary African art and Shona sculpture with major galleries and the National Museum of Human Sciences. The mild, dry winter months allow for comfortable exploration of the city's historic monuments and sculpture parks.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
The starting point for iconic drives toward the Eastern Highlands or Lake Kariba, offering scenic highveld landscapes and well-defined corridors. Heavy summer rains can make rural road conditions challenging, making the core dry season safer for touring.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Offers established hiking and walking infrastructure at sites like Domboshava Rock and Chinhoyi. The cool, dry winter months provide ideal temperatures for active outdoor pursuits compared to the humid, rainy summer period.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
Home to the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), a major multi-disciplinary cultural event that draws global talent. Outside the primary festival window in late April/early May, cultural events are smaller in scale.
Amusement parks, family entertainment venues
Features regional-standard amusement and water parks like Longchen Plaza which provide local family entertainment. These outdoor venues are best visited during the dry, sunny months to ensure all rides and aquatic facilities are operational.
Attractions (38 total)
Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Balancing Rocks
Epworth
Iconic geological formations of massive granite boulders stacked precariously, famously featured on Zimbabwe's currency.
Domboshava Caves and Rocks
Domboshava
A massive granite whaleback hill known for its spectacular sunset views and ancient San rock paintings.
Lake Chivero Recreational Park
Harare
A scenic reservoir offering game drives, rhino sightings, and birdwatching in a serene lakeside setting.
Visit website →Ngoma Kurira
Domboshava
A high-altitude granite mountain offering a challenging hike with rewardingly panoramic views of the surrounding plateau.
National Botanic Gardens of Zimbabwe
Harare
Extensive gardens featuring a vast collection of indigenous African flora and peaceful lawns perfect for family picnics.
Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Chinhoyi Caves
Chinhoyi
A stunning system of limestone caverns featuring the brilliantly clear, cobalt-blue 'Sleeping Pool' and technical diving opportunities.
Visit website →Kuimba Shiri Bird Park
Harare
Located at Lake Chivero, this activity center features the country's largest collection of indigenous birds and regular falconry displays.
Visit website →Domboshava Rocks
Domboshava
Massive granite domes that offer popular hiking trails to ancient San rock paintings and spectacular 360-degree sunset views.
Mukuvisi Woodlands
Harare
An essential outdoor destination in the city offering horse-back safaris, walking trails, and birdwatching through preserved miombo woodland.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Chinhoyi Caves National Park
Chinhoyi
A stunning system of limestone caverns featuring the crystal-clear, deep blue 'Sleeping Pool' and dramatic subterranean passages.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Chinhoyi Caves Walking Circuit
Chinhoyi
2km easy to moderate walking circuit including steep descents into the limestone caverns. Typical duration is 1 hour. Highlights include the 'Sleeping Pool,' a deep cobalt blue subterranean lake. Managed by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Visit website →Domboshava Rock Hike
Domboshava
4km moderate loop hike, typically taking 1.5 to 2 hours with 150m elevation gain. Features massive granite whaleback domes and ancient San rock art. Famous for sunset views over the highveld plateau.
Visit website →Cleveland Dam Recreational Trail
Harare
8km easy loop trail around the Cleveland Dam reservoir. Typical duration 2 hours with approximately 80m elevation gain. Excellent for bird watching and light mountain biking on gravel and dirt paths. Located 15km east of Harare city center.
Visit website →Mukuvisi Woodlands MTB and Walking Trails
Harare
A network of easy 5km, 8km, and 10km trails within a 265-hectare urban woodland. Typical duration is 1 to 2 hours with minimal elevation gain (under 100m). Ideal for both walking and mountain biking to see zebras and giraffes within city limits. Bike access info: mukuvisiwoodland.org.zw
Visit website →Ngomakurira Hill Trail
Domboshava
7km challenging loop hike with approximately 320m elevation gain, taking 3 to 4 hours. The trail involves steep granite slopes and rewards hikers with 360-degree views of the Chinamora communal lands. Popular for trail running and rock climbing.
Visit website →Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Domboshava Caves and Hill
Domboshava
A massive granite dome featuring ancient San rock paintings and panoramic views of the Zimbabwean countryside.
Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
National Botanic Garden
Harare
This sprawling 58-hectare park offers a serene environment for families to explore diverse indigenous trees and enjoy outdoor picnics.
Visit website →Ewanrigg Botanical Garden
Harare
Famous for its spectacular display of flowering aloes and ancient cycads, this peaceful garden is perfect for family walks and birdwatching.
Visit website →Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Harare
Zimbabwe's premier art museum featuring a vast collection of contemporary African paintings and world-renowned Shona stone sculptures.
Visit website →Gallery Delta
Harare
Located in a historic colonial building, this gallery is a hub for contemporary painting, graphics, and mixed media art.
Visit website →Chapungu Sculpture Park
Harare
A sprawling outdoor cultural center and park dedicated to the history and spiritual significance of the Shona stone sculpture movement.
Visit website →The Shona Sculpture Gallery
Harare
A beautifully curated garden gallery showcasing high-quality stone carvings from the country's most prominent contemporary artists.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
National Heroes Acre
Harare
A significant national monument and burial ground commemorating the fighters of the liberation struggle with a towering bronze statue and murals.
Epworth Balancing Rocks
Harare
Iconic natural rock formations consisting of massive granite boulders precariously balanced on top of each other, famously depicted on Zimbabwean banknotes.
Castle / Palace / Historic Site
National Heroes' Acre
Harare
A striking national monument and burial ground built with North Korean assistance to commemorate the fighters of the Zimbabwe Liberation War.
Visit website →Chiremba Balancing Rocks
Epworth
A nationally iconic historic site of precariously balanced granite boulders that serves as the symbolic motif for Zimbabwe's currency.
Visit website →Domboshava Rocks and Caves
Domboshava
A massive granite dome featuring ancient San rock paintings and offering spectacular panoramic views of the Zimbabwean highveld.
Visit website →Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences
Harare
A premier historic site housing the 'Ngoma Lungundu', an ancient wooden artifact of the Lemba people, alongside extensive ethnographic and archaeological exhibits.
Visit website →Road Trips & Scenic Drives
The Eastern Highlands Corridor (Harare to Nyanga)
Harare
260km paved highway (4 hours) along the A3. This scenic journey travels from the highveld plateau through the agricultural center of Marondera, passing iconic balancing rock formations before ascending into the misty mountains and pine forests of the Nyanga region.
Visit website →The Great North Road (Harare to Kariba)
Harare
365km paved highway (5.5 hours) heading northwest. This route features the subterranean 'Sleeping Pool' at Chinhoyi Caves and the dramatic, winding Makuti Escarpment, which offers panoramic views of the Zambezi Valley and the descent toward Lake Kariba.
Visit website →The Domboshava Scenic Drive
Harare
30km paved route (45 minutes) via Borrowdale Road. This popular excursion leads from the city's northern suburbs into a stunning landscape of massive granite 'whaleback' monoliths, prehistoric cave paintings, and iconic sunset viewpoints across the central plateau.
Visit website →Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Wild Is Life Trust and ZEN
Harare
An internationally acclaimed sanctuary where visitors can experience intimate encounters with rescued elephants and giraffes in a beautiful garden setting.
Visit website →Lion & Cheetah Park
Harare
A popular family destination featuring a drive-through lion enclosure and a petting zoo area with farm animals and giant tortoises.
Theme Park / Amusement Park
Greenwood Park
Harare
A historic family-oriented park known for its vintage miniature steam train, chairplanes, and traditional amusement rides in a lush garden setting.
Longchen Plaza Amusement Park
Harare
A modern family entertainment destination featuring a large Ferris wheel, spinning rides, and a variety of carnival-style attractions.
Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary
Harare
A dedicated wildlife rehabilitation center housing a wide variety of rescued animals in a tranquil rural setting.
Visit website →Major International Festival / Cultural Event
Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA)
Harare
Typically late April to early May, a 6-day multi-disciplinary arts festival celebrating music, theater, dance, and visual arts. It is one of the largest arts festivals in Africa, historically attracting over 50,000 visitors. The event is very family-friendly, featuring a dedicated 'Global Quarter' for crafts, children's workshops, and street performances.
Visit website →Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Longchen Plaza Water World
Harare
A popular family-oriented water park featuring multiple colorful slides, splash pads, and large recreational pools situated within a major shopping complex.
