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Zimbabwe🇿🇼 | attractionsNational Heroes AcreUnknown Soldier bronzes, eternal flame, granite murals, hilltop tower | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in National Heroes Acre
👀 For curious travelersattraction ranked #13
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Entry is cheap and the grounds are quiet enough to walk at your own pace, which almost never happens at a national shrine. National Heroes Acre sits on a hill in Zimbabwe’s capital region, a few kilometers west of central Harare. The towering bronze Unknown Soldier statue and the curved stone murals deserve your time; the long approach road and the lawns do not. A guide who met me at the gate said, “Start at the flame, then follow the story.” Good advice. Come for history and architecture. Skip it if you want nightlife or a crowd.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Zimbabwe Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #13 attraction in ZimbabweWhat makes it a must-see attraction

National Heroes Acre is the clearest place in Zimbabwe to understand how the country tells its own liberation story. Opened in 1982, the hilltop memorial was built to honor fighters of the Second Chimurenga, and the layout does the explaining: a long stairway, a eternal flame, and a commanding view over Harare. Reading the murals alongside the guide’s narration gives you more context than a week of museum hopping. The architecture is also a draw. The North Korean-built bronze statues and the granite stonework are monumental, and the scale is worth seeing in person. For a backpacker working through the capital, this is the stop that explains the politics you will hear about on every bus and in every hostel common room.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Unknown Soldier Statue: Three bronze figures, a rifle-carrying man and two companions, stand at the base of the hill. This is the image most people come to photograph.
  2. Eternal Flame: Set within the central tower, the flame is the heart of the memorial and the site of official ceremonies.
  3. The Tower and Its Viewpoint: Climb the stairs for a wide look over Harare’s suburbs and the surrounding hills. Go slowly; the steps are many.
  4. Stone Murals: Carved panels depict the liberation struggle in sequence, from colonial rule to independence. They read like a comic strip in granite.
  5. Burial Plots: Graves of national figures sit on the slopes. The marked headstones show who is honored and when.
  6. Guide-Led Walk: Local guides explain the symbolism of each element, including the choice of site and the layout.
… read more 👉
  1. Unknown Soldier Statue: Three bronze figures, a rifle-carrying man and two companions, stand at the base of the hill. This is the image most people come to photograph.
  2. Eternal Flame: Set within the central tower, the flame is the heart of the memorial and the site of official ceremonies.
  3. The Tower and Its Viewpoint: Climb the stairs for a wide look over Harare’s suburbs and the surrounding hills. Go slowly; the steps are many.
  4. Stone Murals: Carved panels depict the liberation struggle in sequence, from colonial rule to independence. They read like a comic strip in granite.
  5. Burial Plots: Graves of national figures sit on the slopes. The marked headstones show who is honored and when.
  6. Guide-Led Walk: Local guides explain the symbolism of each element, including the choice of site and the layout. Their commentary adds the story the stone leaves out.
  7. Museum Display: A small exhibit holds photographs and memorabilia from the war years, useful context before you step outside again.
All of it fits comfortably into a visit of about one to two hours.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Cool Dry Season (May to August): Days reach 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) and mornings in Harare can fall to 6 to 10°C (43 to 50°F). Rain is rare and the hillside walk to the monument is comfortable.
  • Hot Dry Season (September to October): Highs climb to 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F) with little shade on the steps and open ground.
  • Rainy Season (November to March): Afternoon storms are common, temperatures sit at 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), and the grass is green. Visits are quick and the site is quiet.
  • Heroes Day Period (August): National holidays bring ceremonies, closures and crowds, and some transport gets pricey.
Visit on a weekday morning outside the August holiday weekend for the quietest grounds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The best area for backpackers is central Harare, particularly the Avondale, Belgravia and Milton Park districts, all roughly 5 to 7 kilometers from National Heroes Acre along the Harare-Bulawayo road. Avondale suits solo travelers best: it has a compact cluster of cafés, supermarkets, and restaurants, plus shared transport stops, so you can eat and sort out money in a single evening on foot. Belgravia is quieter and leafier, with guesthouses and a more residential feel, good if you want sleep over socializing. Milton Park puts you close to the city center and the bus terminals for onward trips, … read more 👉
The best area for backpackers is central Harare, particularly the Avondale, Belgravia and Milton Park districts, all roughly 5 to 7 kilometers from National Heroes Acre along the Harare-Bulawayo road. Avondale suits solo travelers best: it has a compact cluster of cafés, supermarkets, and restaurants, plus shared transport stops, so you can eat and sort out money in a single evening on foot. Belgravia is quieter and leafier, with guesthouses and a more residential feel, good if you want sleep over socializing. Milton Park puts you close to the city center and the bus terminals for onward trips, though evenings are better spent taking a taxi than wandering. Budget travelers tend to mix dorms and cheap guesthouse rooms in these areas, and fellow guests are often overlanders and volunteers who swap route advice. Avoid walking after dark anywhere, and use ride-hailing apps or registered taxis between your bed and the monument.
Best hostels in Zimbabwe


Best quality hotels in Zimbabwe

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

National Heroes Acre costs about US$24 to 60 per day for a backpacker, covering entry, transport, food and a dorm bed. Travelers pay in US dollars in most places, and small change is often short.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry FeeUS$3 to 10Foreign visitors pay more than residents, and guides are optional.
Guide TipUS$3 to 5Informal guides explain the memorial and the museum.
Transport (Round Trip)US$4 to 12Minibus (kombi) to the Bulawayo Road area, then a short walk or ride-hailing trip for the rest.
FoodUS$4 to 8Street snacks and café meals in Avondale are cheaper than anything near the site.
Accommodation (High Season)US$10 to 25Dorms and simple guesthouses in Harare, with higher rates around the August holidays.
Accommodation (Low Season)US$8 to 20Rooms are easier to negotiate in the
… read more 👉
National Heroes Acre costs about US$24 to 60 per day for a backpacker, covering entry, transport, food and a dorm bed. Travelers pay in US dollars in most places, and small change is often short.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entry FeeUS$3 to 10Foreign visitors pay more than residents, and guides are optional.
Guide TipUS$3 to 5Informal guides explain the memorial and the museum.
Transport (Round Trip)US$4 to 12Minibus (kombi) to the Bulawayo Road area, then a short walk or ride-hailing trip for the rest.
FoodUS$4 to 8Street snacks and café meals in Avondale are cheaper than anything near the site.
Accommodation (High Season)US$10 to 25Dorms and simple guesthouses in Harare, with higher rates around the August holidays.
Accommodation (Low Season)US$8 to 20Rooms are easier to negotiate in the rainy months.
Total Daily BudgetUS$24 to 60Costs rise with taxis and guided add-ons.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Allow 1 to 2 hours at National Heroes Acre. The climb to the Eternal Flame and the tower, the bronze statues, and the small museum take most of that time. Add another hour if you hire a guide or plan photos from the hilltop viewpoint over Harare.
National Heroes Acre is worth the fee, usually US$3 to 10 for foreign visitors, if you want to understand Zimbabwe’s liberation war history. The hilltop monument, the bronze fighters, and the reliefs are well kept and the views stretch over the city. Tight on time, you could skip the museum but not the main memorial. A guide for about US$3 to 5 adds a lot of context.
From central Harare, National Heroes Acre is roughly 7 kilometers west along the Harare-Bulawayo road. A ride-hailing car or taxi takes 15 to 25 minutes and costs about US$5 to 10 each way. Minibuses toward Bulawayo Road are cheaper at US$1 to 2, but you then walk the final stretch, and the return is harder to arrange.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

National Heroes Acre suits history buffs, architecture fans and anyone curious about Zimbabwe’s modern politics. If you only want scenery or adventure, skip it. I would go with a guide, bring water for the stairs, and ask plenty of questions.

✈️ When did I visit Zimbabwe?
I have backpacked Zimbabwe all the way back in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Zimbabwe, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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