Even before the current political turmoil, violent crime was a fairly common event in Harare with visitors warned never to walk in the city alone and to keep off the streets altogether at night unless using an official taxi.
At the current time both the UK and Australian governments are advising
their citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Zimbabwe.
As with Bulawayo, Brits living there are urged to 'keep a low political profile' due to Robert Mugabe's anti-British rhetoric.
If you intend to watch the cricket in Zimbabwe, avoid demonstrations of any kind.
Harare's busiest and most interesting area is Mbare Musika (market), 5km south of the centre, Zimbabwe's largest market.
It's a great place to get a feel for how the population lives but is only for the adventurous and check locally before you venture there.
Much of the city resembles a ghost-town from Saturday evening through to Monday morning as everything closes.
So if you're in town at this time, make sure you've made a plan well in advance otherwise you'll find yourself kicking your heels.
The Kopje area of town is the best place to look for a pungwe (an all-night drinking and dancing performance).
Elsewhere, the granite hill that rises above the south-west corner of central Harare is a great place to get views of the city.