The Sunday Mail
REMEMBER Kumahuswa, Globe Trotter, Kutsuro or many other open air joints that kept fun loving Hararians busy by day and awake at night with talented DJs on the mix, braais, lots of parking and ice cold refreshments?
Judgement Yard
Well some of these places maybe gone, but Harare is still here and the summer season always arrives this time of the year when all open air hangouts are called into action.
Sports clubs, usually used as venues for big shows, are proving to be exceptional party destinations. The first to be turned into a party ground was Motor Action Sports club, which has become a weekend hangout spot, attracting large crowds each and every Sunday.
The line-up of talented DJs who include Big Dolla, Yung Fresh and Candyman at the open air joint, has been keeping revellers on their feet till the wee hours of Monday morning during these sessions.
And this Saturday, Old Hararians Spots Club, which gained popularity with the hosting of the monstrous Big Chill Fridays, will play host to Texas Ivy’s Harare Summer Festival.
Considering that this will be the last weekend of the school holidays, it will be the perfect outing for families to hangout before schools open. With top DJs set to keep the crowd entertained, other activities will include braais, Zumba, massages, jumping castles, dance battles, video gaming and live music.
In partnership with ZiFM and with Judgment Yard expected to perform at the venue – Harare Sports Club is the place to be this weekend.
From the afternoon onwards there are going to be dance battles, a fashion platform and from 8pm till shutdown, several surprise artistes and DJs will be entertaining revellers.
Gates will be opening at 9am and festivities will carry on late into the night.
Apart from sports clubs, there are several outdoor spots within and around Harare that have over the years gained popularity with fun lovers and as the summer mood raises, so will the numbers descending upon these areas.
Some of these outdoor and open air leisure spots that are popular include Lake Chivero, Cleveland Dam, Mukuvisi Woodlands, Mereki, Zindoga, and Pamuzinda Ice & Fire, to name just a few.
Located 32km from Harare’s CBD, Lake Chivero, has always been the ideal weekend destination for many outdoor fun lovers and when the sun comes out with all its might, this will be the place to be.
From enjoying a beer by the lakeside to the thrills of a boat cruise with family and friends, this recreational facility has a wide range of activities to partake in.
Some of these activities include horse riding, crocodile viewing, game drive, game walks, sports and various water-based adventures.
Another option for fun lovers looking for a day out in the sun would be Mukuvisi Woodlands, which is located just 5km from the city centre.
The Mukuvisi Woodlands Wildlife and Environment Centre is a 263 hectare woodland preserve, home to a variety of Zimbabwe’s indigenous flora and fauna including zebra, impala, giraffe, wildebeest, eland and crocodile.
The woodland offers guided walks, special bird walks, horseback safaris, or individuals can just wander through the marked paths on their own.
Braai stands are also available for those who like to enjoy the bush experience while grilling their meat over a beer.
Although, Cleveland Dam has of late gained notoriety for the wrong reasons as most patrons have turned it into a “love nest”, it is still one of the best outdoor chill spots in Harare.
This facility has proven to be a popular braai and picnic venue where the whole family can spend the day relaxing and enjoying the view. For the more adventurous who are not afraid of playing around in the water, canoes are available for hiring.
Besides the outdoors and bush experiences, there are other joints where people can enjoy themselves in the open.
Several braai spots that include Mereki, Zindoga, Fatso, Pamuzinda and Junction 24, to mention a few, are always attracting large numbers.
There is no doubt that fun lovers will not run out of ideas when it comes to selecting where to hangout during the weekend as there are lots of options to choose from.
Farewell to the dull, cold winter and welcome to the vibrant summer vibes.
