🇿🇼 Flights to Harare
Cheap Flights to Harare from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE). Dream Fare specialises in Zimbabwe routes with the best prices for Harare — the gateway to Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe and Hwange National Park.
Airlines to Harare
All Airlines Flying London to Harare
Harare is served via connections through East and Southern African hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price for Zimbabwe.
Baggage Allowances — London to Harare
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| South African Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Harare & Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Harare sits at 1,490 metres altitude giving it a pleasant climate year-round, often called the most comfortable capital in Africa. Zimbabwe is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Dry Season
May — October
The best time to visit Zimbabwe. Dry, sunny and warm (12°C to 26°C). Excellent wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around remaining water sources at Hwange National Park. Victoria Falls flow is high early in this season.
Peak Safari Season
Aug — October
The finest game viewing of the year as vegetation thins and wildlife congregates at waterholes. Hot and dry (20°C to 32°C). The classic safari period with the best wildlife sightings at Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks.
Wet Season
Nov — April
The rainy season brings afternoon downpours and lush green landscapes. Victoria Falls reaches its most spectacular flow (February to May). Migrant birds arrive. Lowest fares of the year and dramatic thunderstorm scenery.
Victoria Falls Peak
Feb — May
Victoria Falls is at its most dramatic and powerful during this period — the spray (locally called the smoke that thunders) can be seen for miles. Some viewpoints may be obscured by mist at peak flow in April.
About Harare
Harare — Gateway to Zimbabwe’s Wonders
Harare is Zimbabwe’s capital and largest city — a leafy, well-planned city sitting at high altitude with a famously pleasant climate. Harare is the gateway to Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World), the ancient stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe (the largest pre-colonial structure in sub-Saharan Africa), and Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and one of Africa’s great elephant sanctuaries.
🌊
Victoria Falls (UNESCO)
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World — Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders) is the largest sheet of falling water on earth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zimbabwean side offers the most extensive and dramatic viewing trails, the historic Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting and bungee jumping over the Zambezi gorge.
🏚️
Great Zimbabwe (UNESCO)
The largest pre-colonial stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Great Zimbabwe was the capital of a great African kingdom that flourished from the 11th to 15th centuries, controlling trade routes to the Indian Ocean. The extraordinary dry-stone walls, built without mortar, give the modern nation of Zimbabwe its name and are one of Africa’s most important archaeological sites.
🦏
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park and one of Africa’s great elephant sanctuaries — Hwange has one of the highest concentrations of elephants on the continent, alongside lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and over 100 mammal species. The park’s extensive network of waterholes makes for exceptional dry-season game viewing, particularly August to October.
🏛️
Harare City
Harare’s wide jacaranda-lined avenues (spectacular purple blooms in October), well-preserved Art Deco architecture and famously pleasant high-altitude climate have earned it a reputation as one of Africa’s most agreeable capitals. The National Gallery of Zimbabwe (home to world-renowned Shona stone sculpture), Mbare Market and the Botanical Gardens are all worth exploring.
🍜
Zimbabwean Cuisine
Sadza (thick maize porridge — the Zimbabwean staple eaten with relish), Muriwo (leafy green vegetables, often with peanut butter), Nyama (grilled meat, particularly beef and goat), Mopane worms (a traditional protein-rich delicacy), Bota (a sweetened breakfast porridge) and Mazoe orange crush (a beloved Zimbabwean soft drink) are all essential food experiences in Harare.
🎨
Shona Stone Sculpture
Zimbabwe is internationally renowned for Shona stone sculpture — a contemporary art movement that emerged in the 1950s and has been exhibited in major galleries worldwide. Harare’s art galleries, particularly the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and numerous sculpture parks around the city, showcase this extraordinary artistic tradition rooted in traditional Shona spirituality and storytelling.
Top Places to Visit Around Harare
Victoria Falls & Victoria Falls Town
A short domestic flight from Harare — Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zimbabwean side offers the most comprehensive trail network with sixteen viewpoints, the historic Victoria Falls Bridge (built 1905), white-water rafting through Grade 5 rapids and bungee jumping from 111 metres above the Zambezi gorge.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins (UNESCO)
4 to 5 hours south of Harare near Masvingo — Great Zimbabwe is the largest pre-colonial stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites on the continent. The Great Enclosure, with its dry-stone walls reaching 11 metres without mortar, demonstrates extraordinary engineering skill and gives the modern country its name.
Hwange National Park
A short domestic flight or scenic road trip from Harare — Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park and home to one of Africa’s greatest elephant populations, alongside exceptional predator viewing including lion, leopard, cheetah and the endangered African wild dog. The extensive network of pumped waterholes ensures excellent year-round game viewing, particularly spectacular in the dry season.
Mana Pools National Park (UNESCO)
A short flight from Harare along the Zambezi Valley — Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its walking safaris among elephants, lions and large herds of buffalo along the magnificent Zambezi River floodplain. The dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife and exceptional canoeing opportunities make Mana Pools one of Africa’s most spectacular and least-visited safari destinations.
Matobo National Park (UNESCO)
Near Bulawayo, a domestic flight or road trip from Harare — Matobo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its extraordinary granite balancing rock formations, ancient San rock art (some over 13,000 years old), the grave of Cecil Rhodes, and a thriving population of black and white rhino in a dramatic, otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else in Africa.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
Within Harare itself — the National Gallery houses an outstanding collection of Shona stone sculpture, the internationally celebrated contemporary art movement that emerged in Zimbabwe in the 1950s. The gallery also features traditional crafts, contemporary Zimbabwean painting and rotating exhibitions, providing essential cultural context for visitors before heading out to the national parks.
Travel Tips
Harare Travel Guide
🛂
Visa for Zimbabwe
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare. A single-entry visa costs approximately $30 to $75 USD depending on type. A KAZA Univisa covering both Zimbabwe and Zambia (useful for visiting Victoria Falls from both sides) costs $50 USD. Dream Fare will advise on current entry requirements.
💱
Currency & Money
Zimbabwe primarily uses USD for tourism transactions following years of currency instability — USD cash is essential for safari payments, park fees and many smaller establishments. Cards are accepted at major hotels in Harare and Victoria Falls. ATMs can be unreliable. Bring sufficient USD cash for your entire stay.
🚕
Getting Around Zimbabwe
Domestic flights connect Harare to Victoria Falls, Bulawayo and Hwange National Park — the most efficient way to cover Zimbabwe’s significant distances. Air Zimbabwe and Fly Zimbabwe operate the main domestic network. Self-drive is possible on main routes but most visitors use organised safari transfers or domestic flights between key destinations.
📱
SIM Cards & Data
Econet Wireless, NetOne and Telecel are the main Zimbabwean networks. SIM cards are available at Harare Airport on arrival. 4G coverage is good in Harare and Victoria Falls town but limited in remote national parks. Most safari lodges have satellite Wi-Fi. Download offline maps before heading to Hwange or Mana Pools.
🌡️
Weather in Harare
Harare sits at 1,490 metres altitude giving it a famously pleasant climate year-round, often described as the most comfortable capital in Africa. The dry season (May to October) is warm and sunny (12°C to 26°C) with cool nights, especially June and July. The wet season (November to April) brings afternoon thunderstorms. Harare is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
🔒
Safety in Harare
Harare is generally safe for visitors who follow standard urban precautions — avoid displaying valuables, use trusted taxis after dark and exercise normal caution in busy market areas like Mbare. Zimbabwe’s safari areas and tourist infrastructure are well-established and the country has a long-standing reputation for hospitality towards international visitors.
Flights to Harare FAQ
How do I fly from London to Harare?
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most popular and convenient routing to Harare. Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha and South African Airways via Johannesburg also serve Harare well. Dream Fare will find the best routing for your travel dates and any combined safari itinerary.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Zimbabwe?
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Harare International Airport. A single-entry visa costs approximately $30 to $75 USD depending on visa type. A KAZA Univisa covering both Zimbabwe and Zambia (useful for visiting Victoria Falls from both sides) costs $50 USD and allows multiple crossings. Dream Fare will advise on current requirements.
How do I get from Harare to Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls is best reached by a short domestic flight from Harare to Victoria Falls Airport (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). The town of Victoria Falls also has direct international connections to South Africa and other regional hubs, making it possible to fly into Victoria Falls and out of Harare or vice versa to maximise your Zimbabwe itinerary.
What is Great Zimbabwe and is it worth visiting?
Great Zimbabwe is the largest pre-colonial stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 4 to 5 hours south of Harare. The extraordinary dry-stone walls, built without mortar between the 11th and 15th centuries, demonstrate the sophistication of the great African kingdom that controlled trade to the Indian Ocean. It is essential for anyone interested in African history and gives the modern nation its name.
Is Harare safe for UK tourists?
Harare is generally safe for visitors who follow standard urban precautions. Zimbabwe has a long-standing reputation for hospitality towards international tourists and the country’s safari infrastructure is well-established. Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe before travelling for the most current assessment.
How much do return flights from London to Harare cost?
Return flights from London to Harare start from approximately £569 with Dream Fare. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is typically the most competitive option. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and Zimbabwe safari travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.