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For most of the year, the sun shines on Harare from unclouded deep blue skies and the temperature remains pleasantly warm, thanks to the city's high altitude of 1,492 meters above sea level, which ensures that it remains cooler than other parts of Africa.    Â

The city is well laid out and with plenty to offer the tourist or business person.

The city's top hotels are among the best in the world, offering a rare standard of service. There are a range of hotels to choose from. Meikles Hotel, Rainbow Towers Hotel, Crowne Plaza Monomotapa Hotel and the Holiday Inn are the top four hotels.

There are a number of lodges too and several establishments ideal for back packers.

Harare is the hub of the country's activities and most tourists visiting the country's major tourist attractions arrive in Harare and spend some time in the capital before traveling to the Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, the Eastern Highlands or the Great Zimbabwe historical monument, which is in Masvingo and from which the country takes its name.

There are a multitude of restaurants within and outside the city center to choose from, offering French, English, Greek, Indian, Pakistani, Italian, Mongolian, Lebanese, Mediterranean, Portuguese, Japanese and many other types of cuisine, in addition to the Zimbabwean and other African dishes.

There are some beautiful parks within the city center. The major one is Harare Gardens, which is an ideal place to relax or go for a walk in. Within the park, there is an open-air restaurant, a small thatched theatre, a sculpture garden, a stage for live musical shows and a children's playground.

Africa Unity Square, opposite Parliament Building, is another pleasant place to relax, with its water fountains, flowers and trees. In September it is a very beautiful purple with its lovely jacaranda tree flowers which give way to equally beautiful red flamboyant in October.

The National Botanical Gardens, just 3km from the city center. is a lovely place for a picnic.

Greenwood Park provides good fun for children with model train rides, water canoeing, chair-plane rides and other activities during weekends.

To the east of the city center, there is Mukuvisi Woodlands, where you can see a variety of wildlife.

Along the Bulawayo Road is the Lion and Cheetah Park, which provides a unique opportunity to see the king of the beasts and a variety of other African wildlife at close range from the safety and comfort of your car.

Also along Bulawayo Road is Snake World, which provides an excellent opportunity to see and learn about a variety of snakes, and Lake Chivero, on the banks of which is a sizeable game park, the Bird Gardens, Harare Safari Lodge, the Spillway Restaurant and many other leisure centers.

Lake Chivero is a favorite place for camping, picnics, fishing, skiing and boating.