Harare - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SUV with high clearance, especially if you want to explore outside of Harare. - May 2021
To take advantage of the beautiful countryside, you need an SUV. Around town, anything goes. Potholes can be problematic, but a lot of folks have tiny Japanese cars for commuting. - Feb 2020
Everyone swears that 4wd is necessary, but I don’t know if I agree, the most common car here is the Honda Fit. The potholes are pretty severe, to be fair, so unless you are OK with driving slowly and carefully, I would advise that you get something rugged. Buy it locally, much easier and cheaper. - Feb 2019
4WD. Potholes are terrible and getting noticeably worse by the day. The government has no money for repairs. Bring all of your service spares. Spares are insanely overpriced, if even available. Bring lots of jerry cans, especially if you want to make long trips or go on safaris in Zim. - Jan 2019
The roads in Harare are full of potholes, and I cannot emphasis this enough. Do not bring a car that you treasure. A 4x4 is the way to go. - Apr 2018
Bring a four wheel vehicle. The pot holes have gotten crazy and you will likely want to go on safari. - Sep 2017
Many people import secondhand from Japan. Cheap but difficult and expensive to maintain. We have one 4WD and one sedan. - Jul 2017
Bring a four wheel drive SUV for the pot holes and safari. - Jul 2017
4-wheel drive is best for the potholed roads and trips out of town. - Apr 2016
SUVs give you the most versatility, however regular sedans are sufficient and equally as common. Plenty of diesel and unleaded fuel is available. - Dec 2013
This is a RHD country, cars drive on the left side of the road. If you plan on only driving in the city, any type of vehicle that can clear large speed humps is suitable. Most game parks/drives require something with excellent (8"+) ground clearance, if not a 4wd vehicle, especially in rainy season. If you can manage two vehicles, and plan on keeping one for local commuting and use the other for everything, get a city car and a 7+ seater for extensive road trips. If you can equip your SUV with a roof rack ahead of time, do so. After-market equipment is available, though heftily expensive. Think roof racks, bike racks, etc. Bring a spare set of tires in your shipment, they are US$250/each usually, up to US$350/each. - Jul 2013
I highly recommend a vehicle with high clearance, w/4WD if possible. Bring parts with you -- everyone orders things from "South" (South Africa) and that can take a few weeks. - Jun 2009
Bring a well serviced car. Parts and service are scarce and expensive. - Dec 2008
Roads are ok in town and major roads connecting towns are also OK alhtough there can be sections falling apart for long periods before they are fixed.some roads into residential areas are only gravel or dirt now. 4x4 is great but NOT necessary. Carjackings are rare - smash and grabs are more common. - Sep 2008
