Harare is famous for fine craft work. The city’s Shona soft stone carvers are world famous. But this lively African city offers so much more. The gateway to Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba the city offers charming outdoor cafes, opportunities to watch migrating birds and to get close to lions. It’s a city of parks and churches and Shona choirs singing songs of praise.

Harare’s architecture is a mix of English colonial and new commercial construction to serve its improving economy. (Image: Martin Addison, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Adding the finishes touches to crafts by a Harare craftsman. (Image: Grace Flora, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

35 minutes from Harare on Lake Chivero, lions and cheetahs offer glimpses of wild Africa. (Image: Babak Fakhamzadeh, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s best bird watching sites and Harare is the gateway to the country. (Image: Terry Feuerborn, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Harare’s avenues are a riot of colour when the jacaranda’s purple flowers blossom. (Image: Victoria Benstead-Hume, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The city’s memorial “Heroes Acre” – dedicated to fallen soldiers, celebrating their sacrifice in the struggle for independence. (Image: Gary Bembridge, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

A miniature ride on diesel train in the Greenwood Park neighbourhood of Harare. (Image: Bob Adams, CC BY 2.0. via Flickr)

Harare’s green lung, Africa Unity Square Park. (Image: Mandy, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The historic Roman Catholic Cathedral in Harare rings out with the voices of Shona choir practices. (Image: mifl68, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The interior of the St Mary’s and all Saints Church in Harare, showing the baptismal. (Image: Mandy, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The colossus of Zimbabwean music Alick Macheso plays the stage at HIFA. (Image Baynham Goredama, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The annual HIFA festival brings together talented African artists to entertain and share knowledge. (Image: Baynham Goredema, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Zimbabwean craftsmen are world renowned for the soapstone and wood carvings. (Image: Emmanuel Gabolde, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The Harare skyline silhouetted by the setting sun. (Image: damien_farrell, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr)