Bulawayo
Discover Bulawayo
Bulawayo is a relaxed, elegant industrial city with wide tree-lined boulevards, in western Zimbabwe. Several World Heritage sites, including historic monuments from the precolonial era and national parks, are within an hour's drive from Bulawayo, making it a great tourist destination. Bulawayo was founded by Lobengula, the last Ndebele king, who settled in what is now Zimbabwe around the 1840s along with a large number of fellow Ndebele who had trekked there all the way from Zululand. In 1893, the British South Africa Company invaded the area in a conflict known as the First Matabele War. The British troops destroyed the city and forced the king to flee. They then built modern Bulawayo over the ruins of the former royal Ndebele city.
What to Experience in Bulawayo
Taste of Bulawayo...
There was an outbreak of cholera in 2008. Check on current conditions before you go, and make sure to avoid obvious possible sources of contagion, such as unboiled water that is not from a sealed bottle and raw fruits or vegetables, especially if they can't be peeled. Also, strongly consider washing toothbrushes only with water that has either been boiled or come out of a sealed bottle. Unfortunately, water shortages are also a strong possibility in Bulawayo and the rest of Zimbabwe.
Climate
Although by latitude, Bulawayo is in the tropics, by virtue of its fairly high elevation, its climate is subtropical. Bulawayo is cooled by a prevailing southeasterly airflow most of the year, and experiences three seasons. With little rain and cool, refreshing temperatures during the day, the winter season from May to August is ideal for a visit. Temperatures soar in the hot dry period from September to November, so it is advised to book accommodation with air conditioning if you plan to visit during those months. Rain moderates the temperature from December to March, mainly in the form of brief afternoon thunderstorms. The main airport is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport. Visas available on arrival are US$30 for single entry, US$45 for double entry. For UK and Irish citizens, it is US$55 or double entry US$70. For Canadians, single entry is US$75. If you're going to Victoria Falls and you plan to visit Zambia or Botswana, buy a double-entry visa.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe main airport is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport. Visas available on arrival are US$30 for single entry, US$45 for double entry. For UK and Irish citizens, it is US$55 or double entry US$70. For Canadians, single entry is US$75. If you're going to Victoria Falls and you plan to visit Zambia or Botswana, buy a double-entry visa. But if you plan to go to Botswana and Zambia, buy a single-entry visa. Then obtain a Kaza Univisa for US$50 at the Zambian border. This is then valid for daytrips to Botswana but only obtainable at the Zambian border. A taxi from the airport into town should be US$10 as of July 2019 (price on Vaya app is Z$85). National Railways Of Zimbabwe service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and remains suspended as of July 2024. Minibus taxis run from the township outside Victoria Falls to Bulawayo in the very early morning and takes approximately 7 hours....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Local transport is mainly by 18 seater minibuses called "kombis". The cost from the CBD to the suburbs is usually 50 cents. inDrive is popular in Harare and probably the best app to book a taxi. Taxis do not have a particular colour but are clearly marked. A taxi trip within the CBD costs US$2 and outside the city center limits it costs US$1 per km. ATMs accept now foreign cards. You will be able to withdraw cash in US dollars. In Bulawayo, shop assistants are not used to foreigners. You can pay for things by credit card but you will be charged 8 times too much, i.e. instead of Z$10 you will be charged US$10! Some shops may accept US dollars in cash but will give change in Zimbabwean dollars. Banks will not change US dollars into Zimbabwean dollars due to a shortage of paper notes, but they will change US dollars into EcoCash (you will need to get an EcoNet SIM card first). There was an outbreak of cholera in 2008.
Where to Stay
There was an outbreak of cholera in 2008. Check on current conditions before you go, and make sure to avoid obvious possible sources of contagion, such as unboiled water that is not from a sealed bottle and raw fruits or vegetables, especially if they can't be peeled. Also, strongly consider washing toothbrushes only with water that has either been boiled or come out of a sealed bottle. Unfortunately, water shortages are also a strong possibility in Bulawayo and the rest of Zimbabwe.
Money & Budget
ATMs accept now foreign cards. You will be able to withdraw cash in US dollars. In Bulawayo, shop assistants are not used to foreigners. You can pay for things by credit card but you will be charged 8 times too much, i.e. instead of Z$10 you will be charged US$10! Some shops may accept US dollars in cash but will give change in Zimbabwean dollars. Banks will not change US dollars into Zimbabwean dollars due to a shortage of paper notes, but they will change US dollars into EcoCash (you will need to get an EcoNet SIM card first). There was an outbreak of cholera in 2008.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Bulawayo
A view of a street with cars parked in front of buildings
A large yellow building sitting on the side of a road
A bus parked in front of a large yellow building
Tall distant building appearing behind trees. High rise building.
Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel
A bunch of flowers that are in the grass
A bird is perched on a branch of a pine tree
A view of a street with cars parked in front of buildings
A large yellow building sitting on the side of a road
A bus parked in front of a large yellow building
Tall distant building appearing behind trees. High rise building.
Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel
A bunch of flowers that are in the grass