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.

Handpainted sign.

Handpainted sign.

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

Order up!

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.

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

Drinks only at the first window on your left.

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

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

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

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

KINDLY. This means YOU, tour groups!

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

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

I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious

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

Ribs shop!

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

Handpainted!

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

Buildings, details, and environment.

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

Outside of the market.

Welcome to Harambe Market.

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

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.

Restaurant supplies.

A vendor brings products to market.

The hotel across the street.

Old, hacked, operational.

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

FAMOUS sausages. I need to try these soon.

Famous sausages.

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.

Parched, hot Africa.

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

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

I love this sort of detail.

I cannot wait until that area opens.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

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

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 but operational.

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

Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.

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.

An interesting vehicle.

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.

Motorbike detail.

A perfect patina.

Exposed header timber.

Lock details on the hotel across the street.

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.

Universal water signage.

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

Kitamu Grill long shot.

Proverbial.

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

So perfectly done.

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.

Signs and details.

I love this sort of 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.

Everything gets reused.

Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.

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

A whole area is yet to open.

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

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

Hotel laundry.

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.

I love this.

Aged perfection.

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

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 details.

Colorful.

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

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

Wide shot looking out of the Market.

Harambe Market.

Look at the top of the fence.

The hotel across the street.

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

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

Old but operational.

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

This means something.

Got it.

The hotel across the street.

Very EPCOT of you, Animal Kingdom.

Hipsters were here.

The hotel across the street.

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…

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.

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.

Can you see the Mickeys?

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.

Whisper Garden outside of the hotel.

Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.

The hotel across the street.

I love this sort of detail.

Old, hacked, operational.

Kitchen windows.

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

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.

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.

How could I not?

Peugeot parking.

Delivery for the hotel kitchen.

Animal Kingdom does.

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

A side alley/corner.

Translation: Every problem has its solution.

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

Repurposed rebar.

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.

Complete with alleys.

Water.

Proverbial.

IT IS HOT.

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.

No parking?

Ribs shop.

Corrugated aluminum serves as a sconce.

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

Seating area.

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

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!

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

Umbrellas everywhere.

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.

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

Reused and repurposed.

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.

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

Nicole wanted service!

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

Shaded areas are not in short supply.

Baskets for sale.

Reused and repurposed.

Items for “sale” by the train tracks.

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.

PLEASE SEAT WHERE YOU LIKE.

Small seating enclave.

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

Table texture.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

OFFICIAL SEAL OF HARAMBE!

Thotful spot.

Definitely had a refreshing drink here.

Seems familiar..

And such!

I love this. I work in a school.

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

Dr. Jomo cures… Marriages and bad debts?

Kitamu Grill.

More repurposing.

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

Basically: Excuse our dust.

Seems familiar..

Sign of life.

Clever way to tell us to bus our own tables.

It’s true. Functional signage.

Classes.

Another sign that exists just to exist.

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

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

The Harambe sign has received some additions.

Sign of life.

Breaking gender stereotypes? I love it.

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

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.

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

Look at that old steamer!

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

“Entrance.”

Seems familiar..

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

Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.

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

I love this.

The BEST!

Well, they DO serve alcohol…

Or one half of a tour group.

“Wash your hands.”

I hear they’re good.

Repurposed license plate.

Look at the alternate spelling!

Hoteli Burudika is SO EXPENSIVE! Stay with us!

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

How’s your dhow?

And make a new friend.

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

Bell. Please ring.

Corrugated corner.

I love that a tire is reused in this manner.

Keep it moving.

Look atop the fence.

I actually could use a new watch battery…

So ramshackle.

Good advice.

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

A repurposed drum lid.

Convenient to have next to a bi-cylce shop.