National Gallery of Zimbabwe

Museum Major national art museum showcasing Zimbabwean visual arts

Harare’s National Gallery of Zimbabwe houses contemporary painting and sculpture, rotating exhibitions and educational programmes; visitors attend shows, workshops and view national collections.

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The National Gallery of Zimbabwe is the country’s primary public museum for visual art, located in Harare and focused on modern and contemporary Zimbabwean and African work. It presents exhibitions, education and collection care in a civic cultural setting.

Exhibition spaces present rotating shows of painting, sculpture, photography and mixed-media work, while an outdoor sculpture garden displays larger three-dimensional pieces. Visitors can view temporary curated exhibitions and public programmes that highlight national and regional artists.

Founded in the mid 20th century, the institution has developed a national collection and exhibition programme to support Zimbabwean artists and art education. Over time it has expanded activities to include outreach, conservation and regional exhibition exchanges.

Located in Harare’s city centre within Harare Province, the gallery is accessible to residents and visitors in the capital and serves as a national cultural institution.

  • Collections and programmes: The gallery holds changing exhibitions of contemporary Zimbabwean and African art, and runs educational programmes and temporary shows.

What to See #

  • Sculpture garden and galleries: An on-site sculpture garden and rotating exhibition galleries located in central Harare that display modern and contemporary Zimbabwean art and sculpture.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe
National Gallery of Zimbabwe, 12 W. Road, Harare, Zimbabwe
-17.8253, 31.0489
Tue-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm, closed Sun-Mon (hours may vary)
Entry often free for gallery spaces; exhibition and special event fees vary

How to Get to National Gallery of Zimbabwe #

The gallery is located in central Harare; taxis and private vehicles can reach it easily. It is within walking distance of several city-center hotels and cultural sites.

Tips for Visiting National Gallery of Zimbabwe #

  • Check the gallery's program calendar before visiting to see rotating exhibitions and events.
  • Allow time to visit both the main Harare gallery and satellite spaces for contemporary Zimbabwean art.
  • Visit on weekdays for smaller crowds and to access staff for more detailed discussion of exhibits.

Best Time to Visit National Gallery of Zimbabwe #

Open year-round; visit during weekdays for fewer crowds and better access to staff and programming.

Dry season
May-October · 12-25°C
Comfortable weather for walking between galleries and nearby Harare attractions.
Wet season
November-March · 18-30°C
City is lush; indoor cultural venues remain good options during afternoon rains.

Weather & Climate near National Gallery of Zimbabwe #

Climate

National Gallery of Zimbabwe's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in November) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 7°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (873 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 61 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAugustMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (209 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

209 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (176 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

176 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 26°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
22°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
24°
50%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 27°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 28°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

November

November is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 28°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (182 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

182 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

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