Harare City Tour: Africa Unity Square & Local Markets

Four stops that show Harare from its colonial landmarks to its oldest township and ancient rock formations

A full-day guided tour of Harare starting at Africa Unity Square, moving through government buildings and the bustling Mbare township, then heading to Chiremba Balancing Rocks and Domboshava Hill. The guide covers Zimbabwean history in three phases (pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial), and explains the country's religious diversity. Hotel pickup is included. Lunch and park entrance fees are paid separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Harare city and surroundings

• Meet and greet at hotel lobby
• Visit Africa Unity Square orientation
• Drive through Harare CBD landmarks
• Explore Mbare township and market
• See Chiremba/Epworth Balancing Rocks
• Lunch break
• Visit Domboshava Hill and bushman cave
• Explore paintings and balancing rock
• Orientation at interpretative center
• Discussion with guide on hill

The experience

The tour begins at your hotel and opens at Africa Unity Square, the city's central landmark, where your guide gives a detailed orientation of Harare and Zimbabwe's three branches of government: judiciary, legislative and executive. You'll see the oldest hotel in the city and learn how the surrounding architecture reflects the country's structure. From there, the route takes you through parliament, the judiciary and executive buildings, then the central bank, before heading to the Kopje and into Mbare, the oldest township in Harare and the hive of the city. Mbare is home to the country's biggest bus terminus and largest fresh produce market, giving a direct look at how local people live and work.

After Mbare, you drive northeast to Chiremba Balancing Rocks, where you'll see formations the guide identifies as the money rock and flying boat, plus a viewpoint overlooking parts of the city. The afternoon continues to Domboshava Hill, where you enter a bushman cave with ancient paintings and encounter another striking balancing rock. An interpretive center at the site provides context for the area's cultural significance, and the walk up and down the hill gives you time to ask your guide questions as you move through the landscape.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout the day, with bottled water provided and parking fees covered. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces and areas accommodate mobility needs. Lunch is on your own, and entrance fees to the parks are paid directly to the supplier when you arrive.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• bottled water.
• parking fees.
• live English-speaking guide.
• access to Africa Unity Square, government buildings, Mbare township, Chiremba Balancing Rocks and Domboshava Hill with bushman cave and interpretive center.

Options for this experience

2 options

Harare City HighlightsGuide in English · 09:00Pickup is included

Wonders and Sights of HarareGuide in English · 09:00, 12:30 and 15:00Lasts 4 hours. Includes bottled water. Harare city tour covering the hotel, The Kopje, Parliament, Africa Unity Square and historic buildings, in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:30 and 15:00

AgesAdult (35 to 54 years) · Senior (55 to 95 years) · Youth (8 to 34 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wenhau Africa Safaris & Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to understand Harare's layout and Zimbabwe's history in one day, moving from colonial-era landmarks to the energy of the oldest township and then to natural rock formations outside the city. The full itinerary fits comfortably into a single day with a guide who can answer questions as you go.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 34 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Africa Unity Square and why does the tour start there?

Africa Unity Square, formerly known as Cecil Square, is Harare's central landmark and the opening point of the tour. Your guide uses it to orient you to Zimbabwe's government structure and the city's layout, showing you the oldest hotel and surrounding buildings that represent the judiciary, legislative and executive branches of the state.

What will I see and do at Mbare township?

Mbare is Harare's oldest township and the country's commercial hub. You'll see the largest bus terminus in Zimbabwe and the biggest fresh produce market, experiencing the daily life and energy of local people in a part of the city that connects Harare to the rest of the country.

What are the balancing rocks at Chiremba and Domboshava?

Chiremba Balancing Rocks feature distinctive natural formations, including what the guide calls the money rock and flying boat shapes, with a city viewpoint. Domboshava Hill has another balancing rock plus a bushman cave with ancient paintings, and an interpretive center explains the area's cultural heritage.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included and is on your own. Park entrance fees to Chiremba and Domboshava are also paid directly to the supplier when you arrive at each site.

How long is the full day and what's provided during it?

The tour runs for a full day with hotel pickup included. You'll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided. Parking fees are covered by the tour cost.