Jambo!

This extensive photo post is of one of the latest areas to open at Animal Kingdom: Harambe Market! While – at its core – this is nothing but a food court, it’s done with a level of style and detail that is just wonderful to experience. I won’t try to write flowery prose about what I’ve photographed, but I will caption each photo with an explanation. One thing I don’t want to bury in a caption is this: Harambe Market feels as if it has always been there, and you’ve somehow just been missing it.

I’ll anticipate the question I’m sure to get: “Where is this?” Harambe Marketplace is directly behind the Mombasa Marketplace in Harambe. After you cross the bridge into Africa, your first right will take you past Harambe Marketplace on your left (if you reach the trail about which Parkeology waxed poetic, you somehow overshot). If you go straight into Africa rather than making an immediate right, head toward the Wildlife Express to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and you’ll see Harambe Marketplace on your right. These directions were good enough to have Nicole find me and meet me for lunch, so I have faith in them.

I attempted to sort the (200+) photos into four different galleries. I am aware that there is a ton of overlap between the galleries, but you get what you pay for on this blog… Don’t forget to check out my other New Harambe post as well!

Enjoy,
-ADA
@AtDisneyAgain

PS: The best Hidden Mickey EVER is in Harambe Market. Make sure you read the caption after you click that link.

Food and related items.

I must wonder if Kitamu is related – linquistically – to Tamu Tamu.

Sparkly Nicole ordered the grilled chicken skewer.

Kabobs – hand painted signage is a big part of Harambe Market.

Everything is available at every window – EXCEPT ribs. The ribs are available only at the ribs shop.

Everything is available at every window – EXCEPT ribs. The ribs are available only at the ribs shop.

Order up!

Handpainted sign.

Handpainted sign.

I am looking forward to trying this and the ribs next time.

Handpainted!

Everything is available at every window – EXCEPT ribs. The ribs are available only at the ribs shop.

I love how they didn’t do the usual Disney-quality food pics and instead chose something that’s more reflective of a photo a shopowner would take of his wares.

Everything is available at every window – EXCEPT ribs. The ribs are available only at the ribs shop.

KINDLY. This means YOU, tour groups!

This slapdash sign is fairly clever in that the design allows it to modified should Disney choose to offer different food.

Everything is available at every window – EXCEPT ribs. The ribs are available only at the ribs shop.

Ribs shop!

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

Drinks only at the first window on your left.

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

The details of cracked plaster and exposed building materials are a common theme in Harambe Market.

Buildings, details, and environment.

The Middle-Eastern influence is clear in many African towns.

Got it.

Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.

So many details. So many repurposed and properly-aged surroundings. Everything in working order, but with the appearance of barely hanging on.

Colorful.

Old but operational.

I like this little nook, I wish it had a covering like much of the rest of the area.

Wares for sale at Harambe Market. There’s a large area near the train track (the Wildlife Express runs right past the market!) with tons of things for sale.

A basket seller has wares for sale. As you look around this area, you’ll notice that the sign is a repurposed license plate. There’s even a stool on which the seller can sit, a cashbox for their earnings, and a cooler to keep drinks cold.

Kitamu Grill long shot.

The hotel across the street.

You’ve seen this tree-climbing apparatus in National Geographic before.

Exposed header timber.

So many details. So many repurposed and properly-aged surroundings. Everything in working order, but with the appearance of barely hanging on.

The hotel across the street.

Proverbial.

This means something.

Whisper Garden outside of the hotel.

I love this.

Old but operational.

A basket seller has wares for sale. As you look around this area, you’ll notice that the sign is a repurposed license plate. There’s even a stool on which the seller can sit, a cashbox for their earnings, and a cooler to keep drinks cold.

Old, hacked, operational.

The hotel across the street.

A basket seller has wares for sale. As you look around this area, you’ll notice that the sign is a repurposed license plate. There’s even a stool on which the seller can sit, a cashbox for their earnings, and a cooler to keep drinks cold.

Hotel laundry.

Wares for sale at Harambe Market. There’s a large area near the train track (the Wildlife Express runs right past the market!) with tons of things for sale.

Wares for sale at Harambe Market. There’s a large area near the train track (the Wildlife Express runs right past the market!) with tons of things for sale.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

A vendor brings products to market.

A whole area is yet to open.

This is the rental/leasing office for the Market. Gotta ring to get help. It’s a real bell that rings – Nicole tested it for us.

Outside of the market.

Restaurant supplies.

Water.

Motorbike detail.

Wares for sale at Harambe Market. There’s a large area near the train track (the Wildlife Express runs right past the market!) with tons of things for sale.

Very important here in Africa. Also very fitting with Rafiki’s so nearby.

Complete with alleys.

Lock details on the hotel across the street.

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

So perfectly done.

Wide shot looking out of the Market.

Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.

This bird of prey joined me, atop the wall behind my table.

Old, hacked, operational.

I love this! A local drink cart vendor is on break at Harambe Market, having lunch.

This was a bit of an annoying shot to get in the middle of the day, when the place was full of people. Patience…

Opening soon… SOON. Trust me, you’ll want to read the Disney Parks Blog article about this one.

Hipsters were here.

The hotel across the street.

Hotel details.

The hotel across the street.

Gutters that wouldn’t get much use in Africa are important in “Africa.”

Wares for sale at Harambe Market. There’s a large area near the train track (the Wildlife Express runs right past the market!) with tons of things for sale.

Harambe Market’s main window, between the sausage shack and Kitamu Grill.

Corrugated aluminum serves as a sconce.

I just love New Harambe, so I threw this pic in…

ACTUAL warning sign, but in the correct style to fit the area.

So many details. So many repurposed and properly-aged surroundings. Everything in working order, but with the appearance of barely hanging on.

Aged perfection.

A side alley/corner.

This bird of prey joined me, atop the wall behind my table.

Kitchen windows.

IT IS HOT.

Harambe Market.

This guy left my table to keep an eye on the entire Market.

Can you see the Mickeys?

A basket seller has wares for sale. As you look around this area, you’ll notice that the sign is a repurposed license plate. There’s even a stool on which the seller can sit, a cashbox for their earnings, and a cooler to keep drinks cold.

This guy left my table to keep an eye on the entire Market.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

Welcome to Harambe Market.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

Unfortunately, the left side of this cuts off. It says Harambe Municpal Dev.

Proverbial.

Wares for sale at Harambe Market. There’s a large area near the train track (the Wildlife Express runs right past the market!) with tons of things for sale.

Everything has a reason – this dilapidated hinge ostensibly used to hold a glass cover over the menu board.

Parched, hot Africa.

Repurposed rebar.

How could I not?

Everything gets reused.

He looks familiar. Fichwa means “be hidden!” So, the designers are telling us that this is – even though he’s in plain sight – a Hidden Mickey.

This guy left my table to keep an eye on the entire Market.

No parking?

Universal water signage.

Old, hacked, operational.

Look at the top of the fence.

An interesting vehicle.

Look at how this copper pipe has been aged!

I just love New Harambe, so I threw this pic in…

The hotel across the street.

I love this sort of detail.

I just love New Harambe, so I threw this pic in…

Translation: Every problem has its solution.

Famous sausages.

Ribs shop.

I love this sort of detail.

Signs and details.

They built a street. A street that feels like it’s been there the whole time.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

A basket seller has wares for sale. As you look around this area, you’ll notice that the sign is a repurposed license plate. There’s even a stool on which the seller can sit, a cashbox for their earnings, and a cooler to keep drinks cold.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

A basket seller has wares for sale. As you look around this area, you’ll notice that the sign is a repurposed license plate. There’s even a stool on which the seller can sit, a cashbox for their earnings, and a water jug to stay hydrated.

After you round the corner past Mombasa Marketplace, you’ll see the first hint that something’s changed. There’s a new Train Service sign.

I love this sort of detail.

Animal Kingdom does.

Peugeot parking.

An old wheelcover serves as the back of a light fixture.

A perfect patina.

I cannot wait until that area opens.

Very EPCOT of you, Animal Kingdom.

FAMOUS sausages. I need to try these soon.

Seating area.

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

Nicole wanted service!

Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.

This wall is brand new… but really old.

Nicole’s camera. I have and love the same one. In fact, this camera’s picture is sort of a self portrait.

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Baskets for sale.

Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.

Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.

PLEASE SEAT WHERE YOU LIKE.

Umbrellas everywhere.

Reused and repurposed.

Reused and repurposed.

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Seating areas at Harambe Market encourage communal seating, allowing you to make friends who are passing through this village just like you are.

Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.

Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.

Reused and repurposed.

Seating areas at Harambe Market encourage communal seating, allowing you to make friends who are passing through this village just like you are.

Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.

There was an opening ceremony! The first guest got chanted and clapped in promptly at 11:00am!

Small seating enclave.

Table texture.

Seating areas at Harambe Market encourage communal seating, allowing you to make friends who are passing through this village just like you are.

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Seating areas at Harambe Market encourage communal seating, allowing you to make friends who are passing through this village just like you are.

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!

Informational signage.

I love that a tire is reused in this manner.

So ramshackle.

Basically: Excuse our dust.

Thotful spot.

The Harambe sign has received some additions.

Seems familiar..

Keep it moving.

There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.

Look at that old steamer!

I actually could use a new watch battery…

It’s true. Functional signage.

The BEST!

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

Many signs are in both languages. Also, look at the anchoring cement in that pole up top: handprints, as it was just added in.

More repurposing.

Well, they DO serve alcohol…

This sign has no reason to exist, but it does. I love it.

He looks familiar. Fichwa means “be hidden!” So, the designers are telling us that this is – even though he’s in plain sight – a Hidden Mickey.

Seems familiar..

How’s your dhow?

“Entrance.”

Breaking gender stereotypes? I love it.

There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.

Good advice.

Corrugated corner.

Look at the alternate spelling!

These remind me of John Travolta’s shoes in Saturday Night Fever.

“Wash your hands.”

The wires tell you that they’ve got some serious bandwidth.

Just across town! Our hotel is better than that Malimwengu Guest House.

Or one half of a tour group.

OFFICIAL SEAL OF HARAMBE!

There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.

Classes.

A repurposed drum lid.

Clever way to tell us to bus our own tables.

Sign of life.

It’s like when hotels warn you not to buy pizza from the fliers under your door.

There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.

And make a new friend.

I love this. I work in a school.

Repurposed license plate.

Definitely had a refreshing drink here.

I love this.

Hoteli Burudika is SO EXPENSIVE! Stay with us!

And such!

Another sign that exists just to exist.

There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.

Seems familiar..

Convenient to have next to a bi-cylce shop.

Look atop the fence.

Kitamu Grill.

Dr. Jomo cures… Marriages and bad debts?

I hear they’re good.

Bell. Please ring.

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

Sign of life.