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 had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

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

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.

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

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

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

Handpainted!

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

Handpainted sign.

Sparkly Nicole ordered the grilled chicken skewer.

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

Ribs shop!

Order up!

Drinks only at the first window on your left.

Handpainted sign.

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.

Buildings, details, and environment.

Colorful.

Animal Kingdom does.

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.

Outside of the market.

Parched, hot Africa.

Corrugated aluminum serves as a sconce.

Peugeot parking.

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

Hotel details.

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

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.

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.

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

Repurposed rebar.

The hotel across the street.

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.

Old, hacked, operational.

A perfect patina.

The hotel across the street.

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

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

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

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

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

The hotel across the street.

Look at the top of the fence.

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

Aged perfection.

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.

Universal water signage.

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

Kitamu Grill long shot.

Harambe Market.

Complete with alleys.

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.

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

This means something.

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

FAMOUS sausages. I need to try these soon.

I cannot wait until that area opens.

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

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.

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

The hotel across the street.

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.

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

Old but operational.

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

No parking?

Proverbial.

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.

Very EPCOT of you, Animal Kingdom.

Ribs shop.

So perfectly done.

A side alley/corner.

Water.

Famous sausages.

I love this.

A whole area is yet to open.

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

Signs and details.

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

How could I not?

Whisper Garden outside of the hotel.

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 gets reused.

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.

I love this sort of detail.

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.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

I love this sort of detail.

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

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.

Hipsters were here.

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.

Got it.

IT IS HOT.

Kitchen windows.

I love this sort of detail.

Motorbike detail.

Old, hacked, operational.

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

Translation: Every problem has its solution.

Look at how this copper pipe has been aged!

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

An interesting vehicle.

Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.

The hotel across the street.

Restaurant supplies.

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.

Wide shot looking out of the Market.

Old but operational.

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

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

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

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

A vendor brings products to market.

Proverbial.

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.

Exposed header timber.

Hotel laundry.

Welcome to Harambe Market.

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

Lock details on the hotel across the street.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

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

Old, hacked, operational.

Seating area.

Reused and repurposed.

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

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

Small seating enclave.

PLEASE SEAT WHERE YOU LIKE.

Umbrellas everywhere.

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

This wall is brand new… but really old.

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

Reused and repurposed.

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

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

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

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

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

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.

Baskets for sale.

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

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

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

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!

Nicole wanted service!

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.

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.

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

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

Informational signage.

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

“Wash your hands.”

Basically: Excuse our dust.

“Entrance.”

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

Look at that old steamer!

Seems familiar..

The BEST!

Keep it moving.

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

I love this. I work in a school.

Look atop the fence.

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.

A repurposed drum lid.

Corrugated corner.

Clever way to tell us to bus our own tables.

Sign of life.

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

OFFICIAL SEAL OF HARAMBE!

And make a new friend.

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

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

Classes.

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

Bell. Please ring.

Dr. Jomo cures… Marriages and bad debts?

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

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.

Repurposed license plate.

Kitamu Grill.

I actually could use a new watch battery…

Convenient to have next to a bi-cylce shop.

How’s your dhow?

Seems familiar..

I love that a tire is reused in this manner.

Breaking gender stereotypes? I love it.

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

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

Good advice.

It’s true. Functional signage.

Or one half of a tour group.

Another sign that exists just to exist.

The Harambe sign has received some additions.

Thotful spot.

I love this.

Seems familiar..

I hear they’re good.

Definitely had a refreshing drink here.

Sign of life.

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

Look at the alternate spelling!

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

Hoteli Burudika is SO EXPENSIVE! Stay with us!

And such!

Well, they DO serve alcohol…

So ramshackle.