Flights from London to Harare run nonstop from London Gatwick (LGW) to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) three times a week. The flight takes about 10 hours 30 minutes, and launch fares started at £490 one way and £675 return. If the direct days don't suit you, one-stop routes via Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg or Nairobi give you more departure choices.
London (LGW) → Harare (HRE)
Compare fares & dates
Air Zimbabwe operates the only nonstop service between the UK and Zimbabwe. It restarted the route on 22 July 2026, its first London service since December 2011. The aircraft and crew are provided by Spanish carrier Plus Ultra under a wet-lease agreement, while Air Zimbabwe manages tickets and passenger service.
Flights from London to Harare leave Gatwick's South Terminal on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Return flights leave Harare on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Services run overnight, so you depart in the evening and land the next morning. Timetables can change on a new route, so check your confirmed times at booking.
The service uses an Airbus A330-300. The reported layout is around 30 business seats and 272 economy seats. Seat features can vary, so confirm them on your booking.
Direct or one-stop — where you fly from shapes your journey time and connections.
Nonstop from London
Every direct flight departs from Gatwick's South Terminal. Gatwick has its own rail station, with trains to central London taking roughly 30 minutes.
London Heathrow
No airline flies nonstop from Heathrow to Harare. Any Heathrow itinerary includes a connection, so choose Gatwick if you want the direct flight.
Regional UK
Manchester and other regional airports have no nonstop service to Harare. Most travellers connect through a hub or travel to Gatwick first.
Side-by-side comparison
| Direct from Gatwick | One-stop via a hub | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 10.5 hours | 14 to 20+ hours |
| Departures | 3 per week | Daily options |
| UK airports | Gatwick only | Heathrow, Gatwick and others |
| Best for | Saving time, families, comfort | Flexible dates, lower fares |
One-stop flights connect through Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg and Nairobi. Johannesburg is the closest hub, so it often has the shortest layovers.
Choose the nonstop if time matters and your dates match its three weekly flights. Choose a connection if you need a specific day, want a Heathrow departure, or the fare saving justifies the extra hours.
Current fares from about £490 one way and £675 return on the nonstop — tips to pay less below.
Book a return ticket, since the return launch fare was well under double the one-way price. Travel outside July, August and the Christmas period, which are the busiest windows. Compare the full cost including baggage, seat selection and change fees. Also price one-stop options, which can be cheaper on some dates.
Book a return
The return launch fare was well under double the one-way price.
Avoid peak dates
July, August and Christmas are the busiest periods.
Check the full price
Include baggage, seat selection and change fees in your comparison.
Compare one-stops too
Connecting fares can be lower on some dates.
Not always. A one-stop ticket can save money but adds several hours and a second flight to manage. For short trips, families and older travellers, the nonstop often gives better value.
The direct flight takes about 10 hours 30 minutes.
Harare uses Central Africa Time (UTC+2) all year. London is one hour behind during British Summer Time and two hours behind in winter. UK clocks go back on 25 October 2026.
Expect 14 to 20 hours or more, depending on the hub and the length of your layover.
Economy has been quoted at two 23 kg bags on this route. Allowances depend on your fare, so confirm yours before paying.
Carry-on has been quoted at around 8 kg on the London service.
Prepaying extra weight online costs less than paying at the airport.
For long-haul flights, arrive about three hours before departure. Your confirmation email will show the exact check-in window.
What British travellers need before landing at Harare (HRE).
Before you land
Yes. British citizens need a visa, and most buy one on arrival. It is usually valid for 30 days.
Carry US dollars in small notes. A single-entry tourist visa has typically cost about US$30, but confirm the current fee before you fly.
If you plan to visit Victoria Falls and Zambia, the KAZA Univisa covers Zimbabwe and Zambia, with day trips into Botswana. It has been listed at around US$50.
The Zimbabwean Embassy in London no longer issues visas, so use arrival or the official eVisa portal. Check passport validity and blank-page requirements on GOV.UK. Leaving Zimbabwe with more than US$2,000 in cash is illegal.
A disruption on 31 July 2026 cancelled flights and delayed later services by about a day. Some passengers had already paid full fares.
Buy travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations. Leave a buffer if you have a connecting flight, hotel or safari booked after landing. Check your flight status the day before departure, and keep your receipts, as UK passenger-rights rules may apply to flights leaving the UK.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is about 15 km south-east of the city centre.
Taxis and pre-booked transfers are the usual options. Arrange your pickup in advance if you land early in the morning.
A domestic flight of about 1 hour 10 minutes reaches Victoria Falls. Hwange, Mana Pools and Great Zimbabwe are also popular next stops.
May to October is the dry season with the best wildlife viewing. Victoria Falls is at its fullest from February to May. November to March is the green season with fewer visitors.
Step 1
Decide whether time or price matters more to you.
Step 2
The nonstop runs only three days a week, so check which weekday works.
Step 3
Look at baggage, changes and refunds, not just the price.
Step 4
Book through the airline or an accredited travel agent, then arrange insurance, your visa plan, and your airport transfer.
Yes. Air Zimbabwe flies nonstop from London Gatwick three times a week.
About 10 hours 30 minutes nonstop, and 14 to 20+ hours with a connection.
Launch fares started at £490 one way and £675 return. Live fares vary by date.
Only Gatwick has a direct service. Heathrow, Manchester and other airports have connecting flights only.
Air Zimbabwe flies the nonstop route. Connecting itineraries run through Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg and Nairobi.
Yes. Most British travellers buy a visa on arrival, or apply for an eVisa beforehand.
Fares tend to be lower outside July, August and the Christmas period.
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