Destination of the Week - Harare, Zimbabwe

[Tom Alder]

The City of Harare
Harare, which was known as Salisbury until 1982, is home to over 1.600 million people and, in addition to being the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe, is the country's administrative, commercial, and communications center. Located in Zimbabwe's northeastern quarter, the city sits at an elevation of 4865 ft., has a pleasant humid subtropical climate, and has an average annual temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly cooler than the normal temperature of other areas in the tropics. This is caused by the city's high elevation teamed with a southwesterly airflow. Being situated in the Southern Hemisphere, Harare experiences its hottest weather during the winter months, with the highest temperatures being recorded from September to April, often in excess of 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Originally name Fort Salisbury, the city was founded in 1890 by The Pioneer Column, a military volunteer force of settlers. They named the city after the third Marquess of Salisbury, who was the British Prime Minister at the time. Over the years the city gradually became known as just Salisbury, until it was renamed Harare on 18 April 1982, following the country's independence from the U.K. and its' recognition by the international community as the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Harare International Airport (HRE/FVHA)
Serving over 600,000 people a year, Harare International Airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and is the hub of Air Zimbabwe. The airport has one of the longest runways in Africa, which measures up at 15,500 ft. in length. In comparison, the largest runway at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, only measures in at 14,490 ft.

Location: 17°55?54.5?S31°05?34.25?E
Elevation: 4887 ft.
Runways: 05/23: 15500 x 150 ft.
Standard Time Zone: GMT+2

SimAirline.net Flights to/from Harare
British Airways: Gaborone, Lilongwe, London Heathrow
South African: Johannesburg

[Samuel Arnold]

It certainly has an oversized runway! Although JNB's runway is very long, you use a lot of it when taking off a fully laden 747.
I think Harare's climate is similar to that of the Transvaal by the sound of it. Once you acclimatise to the altitude, it's great there.

Excellent report, Tom.

[Tom Alder]

It certainly has an oversized runway! Although JNB's runway is very long, you use a lot of it when taking off a fully laden 747.
I think Harare's climate is similar to that of the Transvaal by the sound of it. Once you acclimatise to the altitude, it's great there.

Excellent report, Tom.

Thanks man

[DMM200]

Zimbabwe...reminds me of a certain experience at camp.

Nice write up Tom.

[Tom Alder]

Zimbabwe...reminds me of a certain experience at camp.

Nice write up Tom.

What do you mean? Thankyou

[DMM200]

Zimbabwe...reminds me of a certain experience at camp.

Nice write up Tom.

What do you mean? Thankyou

Nothing, there was a tennis pro from there who would always joke about how he hated me, things like singling me out on the tennis court when I wasn't the only one doing something wrong. I thought he was serious for a while, but he revealed on the last day that he wasn't.

[a.trailblazer7]

Great job...keep up good work!!