When Forbes Magazine named Zimbabwe the world’s number one tourism destination for 2025, the big question for those who are yet to visit the country has been: where exactly do visitors actually go to once they arrive?
Victoria Falls will always dominate that discussion.
The Eastern Highlands remain irresistible, while the mystery of Great Zimbabwe always induces a sense of awe.
But in Harare, something big is quietly rising.
For tour operators, conference organisers, diplomats and corporate planners, Liberation City has become Harare’s most dependable and fast-rising tourism asset — and a critical anchor in the city’s effort to reposition itself as a viable urban tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination.
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has many glaring shortcomings: from ridiculous pricing to shoddy marketing.
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The Liberation City stands out as one of the few infrastructural projects that the President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration seems determined to holistically support.
Part of Liberation City’s appeal is that it does not resemble a conventional attraction. It is neither a single museum nor a leisure park, neither a shopping centre nor a monument.
Rather, it blends all of these: heritage, dining, conferencing, leisure and retail on a 101-hectare spread and all with an unmistakable and distinctly proud African feel.
That alone makes it unusual, not just in Harare or Zimbabwe, but on the continent.
It is sited on what was once arguably Zimbabwe’s biggest dumpsite. Now, the eyesore of a mountain of waste has been replaced by the rapidly rising structures that constitute the various attractions of Liberation City. And the stench of garbage has given way to the aroma of culinary delights from across Africa at Heritage Village.
At the core of the development is the Museum of African Liberation, a project that has already assumed national and continental importance even before its completion. Construction is scheduled to be finished in 2026, well ahead of Zimbabwe’s hosting of the 2027 African Union Mid-Year Summit.
Building bridges between nations
The Museum of African Liberation has quickly become a default stop for high-level visitors to Zimbabwe.
Royalty, presidents, prime ministers, senior government officials and international delegations have been to Liberation City as part of official programmes when they are in Zimbabwe. And for many of them, a stop at the museum isn’t part of the official itinerary: it is a personal desire to visit an institution that preserves and promotes Africa’s rich liberation legacy.
When Zimbabwe hosted the 2024 Sadc Ordinary Summit, Liberation City played host to heads of State and government, reinforcing its growing status as a symbolic and practical meeting point. Indications are that more heavyweights will again visit Liberation City when Zimbabwe hosts the 2027 AU Mid-Year Summit.
These are not ceremonial visits. They reflect a shared understanding that the story of African liberation has found a home in Harare.
Crucially, the facility is cultivating and advancing diplomatic and cultural exchanges at a very high level.
For instance, in December 2023, the Russian State University of Humanities mounted an exhibition detailing Russia’s contribution to African independence.
The Harare Sunset Skydeck at the Museum of African Liberation recently hosted a luncheon attended by dozens of diplomats from across the world, which saw the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont enjoying a meal at the same table as Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa.
When one considers how frosty relations between Zimbabwe and the US have been for decades, the potential of Liberation City as a centre for “quiet” but effective diplomacy becomes apparent.
Something for everyone
Liberation City is not defined by officialdom alone. On any given week, buses carrying schoolchildren from across Zimbabwe arrive at the site. For many pupils, it is their first direct encounter with the liberation narrative beyond textbooks.
Alongside them are families, church groups, couples on casual outings, tourists exploring the capital and people simply looking for somewhere to spend an afternoon or an evening.
This steady, diverse flow of visitors has quietly turned Liberation City into one of the most frequented sites in the country and arguably the strongest current driver of domestic tourism in Zimbabwe.
Much of that is thanks to Heritage Village, which has become a popular pick for conferences, workshops, exhibitions and social gatherings.
Its appeal is practical as much as cultural. Conference goers appreciate its convenience, diners are drawn by its Pan-African cuisine; and leisure-seekers revel in its ambience. It is not unusual to see a corporate function unfolding in one corner, a family lunch in another and tourists exploring the surroundings at the same time.
A view of Harare
The Harare Sunset Skydeck has introduced a new way of experiencing the city.
From above, Harare looks expansive and calm — a perspective that has made the Skydeck a popular choice for private celebrations, corporate receptions and high-end events.
For visitors, it is often the moment when the city reveals itself differently.
And an even more stunning view of Harare is being established, following the recent commencement of construction of a 360-degree rotating restaurant atop the fourth floor of the Museum of African Liberation.
The restaurant, whose cylindrical design is inspired by traditional African clay pots, will be the highest dining venue in Zimbabwe by altitude, and presents guests with uninterrupted panoramic views of the capital.
Driving MICE
Taken together, these elements explain why Liberation City is increasingly mentioned in conversations about MICE tourism.
With plans for an Animal Park, an Africa-themed Amusement Park, Presidential Villas and a five-star hotel, Liberation City is being designed with long-term tourism infrastructure in mind.
This has positioned Liberation City as Harare’s number one tourism destination.
It is likely among the top five most-visited sites in Zimbabwe, an achievement made more notable by the fact that it is still evolving.
If current trends continue, Liberation City can well become the country’s leading domestic tourism destination by 2030.
As Zimbabwe rides on renewed global tourism attention, the capital city finally has a product capable of keeping visitors in town — and keeping their wallets open.
For Harare, that is no small achievement.