The grandiose obelisk of Heroes' Acre, overlooking the town, is straight out of Pyongyang, yet lies just 7km from Harare. Designed with the assistance of North Korea, it serves as a sombre memorial to the forces who died during the Second Chimurenga. There's a giant socialist-realism statue of the unknown soldier (actually three soldiers), flanked by bronze friezes depicting stirring war victories. Entrance is free, but there's an admission fee for the interesting museum dedicated to the resistance movement.

Only 7km from the city, most of the 265 hectares here are natural msasa parkland where zebras, giraffes and antelope species roam free. View from the platform (bring binoculars) or on foot with a safari guide, or go on a horse safari. Sundays are a good time to visit because you can cycle or walk about without a guide. Birdwatching is excellent. 

Shop for locally produced Zimbabwean wares at National Handicraft Centre. In its gallery the company offers goods such as jewelry, pottery, and musical instruments. The company supports sustainable development through crafts production, and rural women make about 75 percent of the goods for sale here. After you finish shopping, dine on African specialties in the garden restaurant.

If you thought Harare couldn't get any more relaxed, you clearly haven't visited its botanical gardens. Spread over 68 hectares, it's an extremely peaceful spot, showcasing 90% of the different ecological habitats found in Zimbabwe.