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!
I am looking forward to trying this and the ribs next time.
I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious
I had the ground beef kabob flatbread. Delicious
Sparkly Nicole ordered the grilled chicken skewer.
Everything is available at every window – EXCEPT ribs. The ribs are available only at the ribs shop.
Handpainted!
Handpainted sign.
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.
Order up!
Ribs shop!
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.
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.
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 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.
I must wonder if Kitamu is related – linquistically – to Tamu Tamu.
KINDLY. This means YOU, tour groups!
Buildings, details, and environment.
Everything has a reason – this dilapidated hinge ostensibly used to hold a glass cover over the menu board.
Translation: Every problem has its solution.
Exposed header timber.
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.
Wide shot looking out of the Market.
I love this sort of detail.
Motorbike detail.
Can you see the Mickeys?
They built a street. A street that feels like it’s been there the whole time.
Kitchen windows.
I cannot wait until that area opens.
Kitamu Grill long shot.
Old but operational.
Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.
I just love New Harambe, so I threw this pic in…
Signs and details.
A whole area is yet to open.
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.
Ribs shop.
Colorful.
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.
I love this sort of detail.
The Middle-Eastern influence is clear in many African towns.
Welcome to Harambe Market.
Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.
Very EPCOT of you, Animal Kingdom.
Hotel details.
Peugeot parking.
So many details. So many repurposed and properly-aged surroundings. Everything in working order, but with the appearance of barely hanging on.
Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.
Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.
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.
I love this sort of detail.
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.
Harambe Market’s main window, between the sausage shack and Kitamu Grill.
Whisper Garden outside of the hotel.
Exiting Harambe Market, toward the bridge out of Africa.
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.
Old, hacked, operational.
This guy left my table to keep an eye on the entire Market.
Harambe Market.
Look at how this copper pipe has been aged!
No parking?
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.
Delivery for the hotel kitchen.
I just love New Harambe, so I threw this pic in…
Hipsters were here.
This guy left my table to keep an eye on the entire Market.
How could I not?
IT IS HOT.
Got it.
Proverbial.
Delivery for the hotel kitchen.
Look at the top of the fence.
Unfortunately, the left side of this cuts off. It says Harambe Municpal Dev.
The hotel across the street.
The hotel across the street.
A perfect patina.
This means something.
Lock details on the hotel across the street.
This bird of prey joined me, atop the wall behind my table.
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 water jug to stay hydrated.
Very important here in Africa. Also very fitting with Rafiki’s so nearby.
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.
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.
So perfectly done.
Repurposed rebar.
Complete with alleys.
Corrugated aluminum serves as a sconce.
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 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.
Proverbial.
The hotel across the street.
Animal Kingdom does.
Parched, hot Africa.
I love this.
Hotel laundry.
Old, hacked, operational.
Water.
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.
An interesting vehicle.
Aged perfection.
You’ve seen this tree-climbing apparatus in National Geographic before.
I just love New Harambe, so I threw this pic in…
FAMOUS sausages. I need to try these soon.
Signs carried over from the rest of Harambe.
This was a bit of an annoying shot to get in the middle of the day, when the place was full of people. Patience…
Universal water signage.
Gutters that wouldn’t get much use in Africa are important in “Africa.”
Outside of the 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.
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.
Restaurant supplies.
This bird of prey joined me, atop the wall behind my table.
Approaching Harambe Market from the Kilimanjaro Safari side of things.
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 vendor brings products to market.
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.
An old wheelcover serves as the back of a light fixture.
A side alley/corner.
Famous sausages.
Opening soon… SOON. Trust me, you’ll want to read the Disney Parks Blog article about this one.
Seating area.
Seating areas at Harambe Market encourage communal seating, allowing you to make friends who are passing through this village just like you are.
Nicole wanted service!
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!
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!
Lots of smaller tables for those who don’t want to make new friends.
Reused and repurposed.
There was an opening ceremony! The first guest got chanted and clapped in promptly at 11:00am!
Small seating enclave.
Shaded areas are not in short supply.
Baskets for sale.
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.
This wall is brand new… but really old.
Items for “sale” by the train tracks.
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!
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.
Umbrellas everywhere.
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!
PLEASE SEAT WHERE YOU LIKE.
Huge seating area with lots and lots of shade. This is perfect for Animal Kingdom!
Items for “sale” by the train tracks.
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.
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.
Reused and repurposed.
Informational signage.
Dr. Jomo cures… Marriages and bad debts?
I love this.
Breaking gender stereotypes? I love it.
The wires tell you that they’ve got some serious bandwidth.
Bell. Please ring.
The BEST!
Seems familiar..
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.
It’s true. Functional signage.
Well, they DO serve alcohol…
I love this. I work in a school.
There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.
Just across town! Our hotel is better than that Malimwengu Guest House.
So ramshackle.
Signs from New Harambe carry over to here.
And make a new friend.
Basically: Excuse our dust.
Look at the alternate spelling!
Kitamu Grill.
“Wash your hands.”
And such!
OFFICIAL SEAL OF HARAMBE!
Convenient to have next to a bi-cylce shop.
These remind me of John Travolta’s shoes in Saturday Night Fever.
Classes.
Thotful spot.
A repurposed drum lid.
There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.
Sign of life.
Keep it moving.
I actually could use a new watch battery…
Definitely had a refreshing drink here.
Good advice.
This sign has no reason to exist, but it does. I love it.
I hear they’re good.
Clever way to tell us to bus our own tables.
More repurposing.
The Harambe sign has received some additions.
There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.
Seems familiar..
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.
Another sign that exists just to exist.
Seems familiar..
Repurposed license plate.
There will always be advertising in a market – people have things to sell.
It’s like when hotels warn you not to buy pizza from the fliers under your door.
Nice set. I’m dying to get over there buy landscaping the new yard means no Disney until Sept/Oct.
Just go to Disney and steal their plants. Problem solved.
Love all these pictures! Can’t wait to visit in October!
I hope you love it as much as I did!