Zimbabwe Shopping and Districts

(Zimbabwe, ZW, Southern Africa)

When you are on holiday, you need to be able to buy everything you require while you are away. You also need to find a few souvenirs to take back to the folk at home. Zimbabwe's shopping opportunities and markets satisfy on both fronts.

In particular, its markets and galleries are a great way to get a feel of the country's cultural background, being a likely place to pick up everything from striking tribal art to hand-woven basket ware.

When to Shop / Opening Hours

As a rule, during the week shops open from 08:00 to 17:00. On Saturdays, shops are only open in the morning, closing at 13:00. However, smaller and tourist-oriented shops usually stay open later in the day. Some larger supermarkets, particularly those in the suburbs of Harare and other cities, are open on Sunday mornings, too.

Where to Shop

In Zimbabwe's largest cities of Harare and Bulawayo it is possible to buy most of your daily needs, from books and jewellery to groceries. Indeed, Bulawayo has, in recent years, seen something of a shopping revival, with the opening of a wave of new stores.

As well as a multitude of independent stores, Zimbabwe also has several shopping centres that come with at least one supermarket. These include the Arundel Village Shopping Centre located in the suburb of Mount Pleasant, with over 70 retail outlets. The Avondale Shopping Centre is a popular haunt for the city's younger residents and visitors, while the Harare suburb of Borrowdale also has a useful mini mall.

For a more African-style shopping experience in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare has a few markets, including a craft market that is held outside the Avondale Shopping Centre. On the first Saturday of each month, the Arundel Village Farmers and Craft Market is also held outside the neighbouring centre.

Just outside of Harare's city centre is the Doon Estate. Located on Harrow Road in Msasa, Doon is an eclectic mix of shops and galleries located in buildings that used to house local railway workers. On sale is a multitude of goods made by local craftspeople, from pottery to fabrics.

In Zimbabwe's main tourist destinations, such as Victoria Falls, shopping mostly includes souvenir and curio hunting. Victoria Falls town has some rather trendy boutiques and antique shops. In particular, the Elephant's Walk shopping village boasts several speciality stores.