Bulawayo
Visited in July 2019
At a glance
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Region
- Bulawayo Province
- Population
- 665,940
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International (BUQ)
- Coordinates
- 20.16°S, 28.57°E
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Overview
Zimbabwe's second city has a calm, old-fashioned charm, with streets famously wide enough to turn a full span of oxen and many handsome colonial-era buildings.
It is the cultural home of the Ndebele people and a relaxed base for two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the granite wilderness of the Matobo Hills and the ruins of Khami. A good natural history museum and a railway museum round things out.
Things to see
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Photo: Sputniktilt, CC BY-SA 4.0 Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
An impressive collection of mammals, minerals and fossils, including a huge mounted elephant.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Nalle&Lisa, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bulawayo Railway Museum
Steam locomotives and carriages that once ran on the line to Victoria Falls.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Digr, CC BY-SA 4.0 Khami Ruins
Stone-walled terraces of a 15th-century capital, a short drive west of the city.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Scott.wheeler, CC BY 3.0 City centre
Broad avenues of colonial-era buildings around City Hall, best on a slow walk.
Things to do
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Photo: Macvivo at English Wikipedia ( Original text: Samwise Gamgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 Matobo National Park
Balancing granite boulders, rock art and Rhodes's grave at World's View, around 45 minutes south.
Find tours -
Photo: Susan Adams, CC BY-SA 2.0 Rhino tracking
Join a guided walk to track white rhino in the Matobo game park.
Find tours -
Photo: Chenjerai Kamushinda, CC BY-SA 4.0 Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre
A long-running workshop for pottery and sculpture, with pieces for sale.
Where to stay
Suburbs
Guesthouses and small hotels in leafy residential areas close to the centre.
Hotels in SuburbsHillside
Quiet southern suburb with lodges and gardens.
Hotels in HillsideMatobo Hills
Lodges among the granite outcrops, ideal for exploring the park.
Hotels in Matobo Hills
Getting around
Taxis are the easiest way around the city, and a car or tour is needed for Matobo and Khami.
The airport is north of the city, around 25 minutes from the centre by road.
When to go
The dry season from May to October is ideal, with warm days and cool nights. The rains arrive in November and last until March.
Plan your trip to Bulawayo
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.