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.

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

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

Drinks only at the first window on your left.

Handpainted!

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

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

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

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

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

Order up!

KINDLY. This means YOU, tour groups!

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.

Ribs shop!

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

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.

Sparkly Nicole ordered the grilled chicken skewer.

Handpainted sign.

Handpainted sign.

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

Buildings, details, and environment.

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

The hotel across the street.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

Ribs shop.

Whisper Garden outside of the hotel.

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.

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.

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

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.

Water.

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

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

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

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.

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

Old but operational.

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

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

The hotel across the street.

Repurposed rebar.

The hotel across the street.

Aged perfection.

I love this sort of detail.

Corrugated aluminum serves as a sconce.

Wide shot looking out of the Market.

Motorbike detail.

Old, hacked, operational.

A vendor brings products to market.

Outside of the market.

I love this sort of detail.

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.

A side alley/corner.

An interesting vehicle.

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

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

Exposed header timber.

Welcome to Harambe Market.

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

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.

The hotel across the street.

Lock details on 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.

FAMOUS sausages. I need to try these soon.

Colorful.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

Look at how this copper pipe has been aged!

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

Got it.

Very EPCOT of you, Animal Kingdom.

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.

Animal Kingdom does.

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.

Old, hacked, operational.

Parched, hot Africa.

I love this sort of detail.

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.

Restaurant supplies.

Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.

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

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

Universal water signage.

So perfectly done.

How could I not?

Kitamu Grill long shot.

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

The hotel across the street.

Look at the top of the fence.

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.

A perfect patina.

Can you see the Mickeys?

Proverbial.

I cannot wait until that area opens.

IT IS HOT.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

No parking?

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

Hotel details.

Kitchen windows.

This means something.

Everything gets reused.

Harambe Market.

Old but operational.

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.

Complete with alleys.

Hotel laundry.

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

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

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.

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.

Peugeot parking.

I love this.

Hipsters were here.

A whole area is yet to open.

The hotel across the street.

Translation: Every problem has its solution.

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

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

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.

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

Signs and details.

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.

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

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

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

Famous sausages.

Seating area.

Baskets for sale.

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.

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

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

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.

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!

Umbrellas everywhere.

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

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

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!

Reused and repurposed.

Nicole wanted service!

Reused and repurposed.

PLEASE SEAT WHERE YOU LIKE.

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

This wall is brand new… but really old.

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.

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

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

Small seating enclave.

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

Table texture.

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.

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

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

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

Informational signage.

Clever way to tell us to bus our own tables.

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

Hoteli Burudika is SO EXPENSIVE! Stay with us!

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

The Harambe sign has received some additions.

Sign of life.

Classes.

Kitamu Grill.

I hear they’re good.

So ramshackle.

I love that a tire is reused in this manner.

Look at the alternate spelling!

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

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

Seems familiar..

Sign of life.

It’s true. Functional signage.

And make a new friend.

Breaking gender stereotypes? I love it.

Or one half of a tour group.

Bell. Please ring.

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

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

And such!

I actually could use a new watch battery…

Seems familiar..

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

Another sign that exists just to exist.

Thotful spot.

I love this.

OFFICIAL SEAL OF HARAMBE!

A repurposed drum lid.

Definitely had a refreshing drink here.

“Entrance.”

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

Well, they DO serve alcohol…

Dr. Jomo cures… Marriages and bad debts?

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

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

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

Corrugated corner.

The BEST!

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

Basically: Excuse our dust.

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

“Wash your hands.”

Look atop the fence.

How’s your dhow?

I love this. I work in a school.

More repurposing.

Seems familiar..

Repurposed license plate.

Convenient to have next to a bi-cylce shop.

Keep it moving.

Good advice.

Look at that old steamer!