Cheap Flights to Harare

When to book a flight to Harare

Spring is a great time to book flights to Harare, the city hosts a number of festivals, including the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) and the Harare Jazz Festival, both held in April. The city comes alive during HIFA, which brings together international acts and Zimbabwean artists for a week jam-packed full of performances, including funk, jazz, classical music, opera, soul, theatre, afrobeat and dance. Harare Jazz Festival is another popular music event. Listen to famous African jazz musicians, while those of you hoping to nurture your own talent can take part in workshops.

Pick up a cheap flight to Harare between the months of November and March, which is the warm, wet season. The weather is pleasant around this time, although you’ll experience a great deal of rainfall, which may affect your holiday activities.

City overview

Find a cheap flight to Harare and visit a city with a laid back vibe where you’ll find excellent works of art and crafts there as well as exceptional restaurants serving traditional and international dishes. 

Zimbabwe is known for its arts and crafts and the National Gallery, located in Harare Gardens, presents monthly exhibits that feature impressive African and contemporary works. Here you’ll see diverse collections of photographic images, wooden carvings, stone sculptures, paintings and much more. The gift shop attached sells a variety of Zimbabwean arts and crafts and books too.

Whilst in Harare, try some authentic Zimbabwean cuisine including Sadza – a traditional maize meal.

Mbare Market attracts adventurous tourists. The many items sold here range from Shona sculptures, masks and weaved baskets, to locally grown vegetables and fresh produce. You can mingle with the Zimbabwean people here and learn more about their various customs, culture and traditions.

If yopu are a film lover then book a flight to Harare and attend the Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF), if you are in the city during the month of August. This event runs for 10 days.

How long is the flight to Harare, Zimbabwe?

Flights from London, United Kingdom, to Harare, Zimbabwe, range from 14h-17h. You can find flights from Manchester, United Kingdom, to Harare that range from 16h-19h. There are flights from Edinburgh to Harare that are around 16h-21h, while flights from Glasgow are around 18h-23h.

Where can you get direct flights to Harare from?

There are no known airlines or flights that fly directly from the United Kingdom to Harare, Zimbabwe. However, you can easily find flights with just one or two stops. Many of the one-stop flights are out of London, while other larger cities in the United Kingdom, such as Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, and Belfast have two-stop flights, with the occasional one-stop journey.

How do you get from Harare International Airport to the city centre?

Since Harare’s most popular attractions are quite spread out around the area, it’s best to travel by car. There are taxi services, but as with any major city, there are some areas that can be dangerous, and the city centre is, at times, known for pickpockets. Therefore, it’s more reliable to have your own vehicle. Car rental companies are available so that you can get what’s right for your group or family. You should be aware though, that parking in the city centre can get complicated due to traffic, and be prepared to pay for any parking.

There are also shuttle and tour companies that take the guesswork out of travel. If you’re staying in a hotel, lodge, or other accommodations, make travel arrangements with them. Hotels are more than willing to provide safe transportation from the Harare International Airport to the place you are staying.

What are some things to do in Harare?

There may not be many exciting attractions within the city limits of Harare, but there’s plenty to do in nearby areas. Domboshawa, which translates to “The Red Rock” is a granite hill not far from the city. It is an ideal day trip that includes a moderate hike and climb to a scenic top. It’s a great place to take a picnic lunch and watch the sunset with a loved one or with the family.

The Wild is Life Sanctuary gets you close and personal with numerous animal species, many of which are endangered. There, you’ll find the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, which is well known since it was introduced on the BBC show, Nature’s Miracle Orphans. This experience includes a guided tour, afternoon tea, champagne, and canapés as the sun goes down, making this outing unforgettable.

The Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary, which was also featured on Nature’s Miracle Orphans on the BBC, is another great activity. Here, you’ll see adopted orphaned monkeys, lions, and more.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Harare?

You are required to have a valid passport for a period of at least six months, as well as three blank pages in your passport book. Those travelling from the UK also require a visa. However, most tourists traveling to Zimbabwe simply acquire the visa upon arrival.

Harare climate

There are three main seasons in Harare: a warm, wet (November to March/April), a warm, dry (May to August) and a hot, dry (September/October). This should be taken into account when booking flights.High peak season in Harare occurs between the months of April and October, when the weather is warm to hot and dry. From May to August daily temperatures are on average between 14 to 16 degrees Celsius, although it can reach the low to mid-20s. It should be noted that temperatures can rise quite considerably between September and October, to around the high 20s.

Getting around Harare

There are very few buses available for tourists or locals that travel to the city. Therefore, most people rely on taxis. Private cabs are easy to find outside major hotels. Taxi ranks are stationed around, mainly at First Street, Nelson Mandela Avenue, Union Avenue and Samora Machel Avenue.

Getting downtown

Most tourists will arrive at Harare International Airport (HRE) which is around 8 miles (13 km) from Harare city centre. Shuttle bus services are provided at the airport. They stop at most of the large hotels and prominent places located in the city. Selected hotels also offer shuttle services for their guests. You’ll find taxi cabs parked outside the Flight Arrivals area. It takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to drive from the airport to the city centre, depending on traffic.