Downtown Harare

I know it’s not always convenient but, if you are up for negotiating the hectic Harare traffic.  The oh so frequent pothole, it’s the easiest and quickest way to get around Harare.  To be perfectly honest, it’s part of the fun and certainly memorable, you know you are in Africa.

Saying that, if you’re in Harare for a stopover or layover, there’s enough to keep you amused in the heart of Harare city.

On our way to Harare city centre, we wanted to pop into the roadside Newlands craft market. We’d seen these handicraft sellers a few times along Enterprise Road. And as we were getting to the end of our 3-week Zimbabwean adventure, we wanted to take home a couple of the stone sculptures.

Newlands craft market

I know when we are back home in the UK seeing one of the little souvenirs will bring back so many memories of the trip.

Parked up, we strolled into the market, which is spread out along the side of the road. Immediately the local vendors are greeting you with smiles and reassuring you that the items they have on their stall are the best.

So much to choose from at Newlands craft market

There’s no pressure, we take a look around see if there is anything that catches our eye, then move onto the next stall.

It’s slightly overwhelming at first as you don’t know which way to look as there is such a selection. We didn’t arrive with anything specific in mind, so it was a hippo and elephant overload. The choice was yours; you could have it in stone, wood or wire.

Newlands craft market along Enterprise Road

We’d visited Zimbabwe 20-years ago, and there were so many familiar-looking pieces; however, I couldn’t resist it. The locals are so friendly, and we found some great keepsakes that will ensure our memories are topped up for years.

Stoneware at Newlands craft market

Back in the truck and we’re off into town, and we’re heading for the council car park in Park Lane. Harare’s Park Lane is a little different from the one in London; however, the parking is a lot cheaper, at two Zimbabwean Bond (40p), what a bargain.

Harare Gardens

Take a peek at our other Zimbabwe posts and start creating your own adventure for yourself. 

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National Gallery of Harare

Just along from the art gallery is Cecil House. Part of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. This attractive single-storey building with its ornate scrolled ironwork gable was constructed by the De Beers in 1901. Cecil Rhodes, the founder of De Beers, died the following year and was laid to rest at Matobo National Park, just outside Bulawayo.

Social Security Centre, Harare

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Along this busy road is the tallest building in Zimbabwe, the New Reserve Bank Tower. Built-in 1997, it stands at 394 feet (120 metres), which isn’t that high in comparison to some sky-scraping city centres, but still looks quite impressive, nonetheless.

Just down from the New Reserve Bank Tower, is the Pearl Assurance House another one of Harare’s standout buildings, which constructed in 1959.

New Reserve Bank Tower

Pearl Assurance House

In the other direction along Samora Machel Avenue, is the High Court of Zimbabwe which is housed in the elegant cream and grey Mapondera Building, this was built in 1932.

Mapondera Building 1932

Then there is the immaculate Constitutional Court and Supreme Court of Zimbabwe, in the now Mashonganyika Building.

Originally when it was built in 1899, it was the Standard Bank building, then the Charter House and since 1926.

It has the name it bears today.

Scales of Justice

Africa Unity Square

Flower sellers in Africa Unity Square

If you would like to try some Zimbabwean cuisine, particularly ‘sadza’ head to Gava’s, it serves “sadza with soul”. Sadza is traditionally eaten with your fingers and mixed with a stew of your choice.

This was a great experience within a very relaxed environment, although try and arrive early as Gava’s is popular with the locals.

Beaming smile at Flavourlitious

While we wandered around Harare, we were stopped a few times by local Zimbabweans who just wanted to chat to us and say hello. It was very heart-warming that they made us welcome. I think tourists are a little few and far between now.

Lady in red, oh, and grey!

I love this photo; it just says ‘Africa’ to me.

Not too many people could wear a lovely summer red dress, a knitted bobble hat and carry them off so well.

Bearing in mind that our visit to Zimbabwe was in April, I also had to do a double-take when I spotted a guy walking along the street wearing a Christmas jumper.

We now jumped back in the truck as we were heading in the direction of Harare Airport, as this is where the Shona Sculpture Gallery is located.

The Shona Sculpture Gallery has an indoor gallery with smaller pieces of art. Within its lush, secluded garden, there are some beautiful larger pieces nestled amongst the foliage.

“Adult Literacy” by Jonathan Mhondorohuma

The Chindu “Wedding Gift” by Tonderai Sowa

The works that are on display here are incredible, the sculptures are all produced by Zimbabwean artists, some of which are by 3rd generation carvers.

There was one exhibitor that was born in 1916 and is still carving today.

A Shona Sculpture, the elegance is beautiful

A Shona Sculpture, incredible colours from one piece of stone

I must admit some of the pieces were astounding, I would have loved to have taken one home.

Since returning home, I found out that their sister company, Guruve, is only around one hour away from me. So, the seed was planted, and for my birthday I bought a piece of work by Jonathan Mhondorohuma. It’s beautiful, and she just makes me smile.

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