Things to do in  Harare

With a population of more than 1 million people, Zimbabwe’s capital is easily the nation’s largest city. And while it was rated the world’s least livable city in 2012, it’s not such a bad place to visit. Museums, landmarks and historical sights make it a worthwhile stop for travelers wanting to learn more about the nation’s rich history.

The Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences may be small compared to others like it around the world, but its diverse collection includes the 700-year-old ngoma lungunda. This rarity is not only the oldest wooden object ever found in sub-Sahara Africa, it’s believed to be a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, too. Heroes Acre, a 57-acre site seven kilometers outside Harare, offers a more recent look at history. The burial ground commemorates those who died in Zimbabwe’s long struggle for independence. Heroes Acre includes the works of ten local artists, in addition to graves of the fallen.

Visitors less inclined to history can catch a match at Rufaro Stadium, the largest stadium in the city, or venture to Borrowdale, the wealthiest suburb of the city. This neighborhood has some of the most luxurious shopping in the country, and it is home to the Borrowdale Race Course, famous for its afternoon and weekend horse races.