Things to Do in Bulawayo — Zimbabwe's City of Kings
Bulawayo is a city that rewards slow exploration. Zimbabwe's second-largest city has none of the frenetic energy of Harare — instead, it offers wide, tree-lined avenues, stunning colonial architecture, world-class museums, and a thriving arts scene. Add in easy access to the Matobo Hills and Khami Ruins, and Bulawayo becomes one of Southern Africa's most underrated destinations.
Museums & Heritage
Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe — Africa's finest natural history museum. The collection includes a mounted elephant, extensive bird and mammal galleries, geological displays, and cultural exhibits. Allow at least 2 hours.
Bulawayo Railway Museum — Steam locomotives, vintage coaches, and railway memorabilia from Zimbabwe's colonial era. A paradise for rail enthusiasts.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) — Contemporary and traditional Zimbabwean art in a beautiful colonial building.
Architecture & Walking
Bulawayo's grid-pattern streets are lined with colonial-era buildings in various states of grandeur:
- City Hall — An imposing Victorian-era building on Fife Street
- Bulawayo Club — Founded 1895; the dark-wood interior is a time capsule
- The High Court — Colonial architecture at its most imposing
- Centenary Park — A peaceful green space in the city centre with gardens and playground
Arts & Culture
- Indaba Book Café — Bulawayo's cultural heart. Books, coffee, live music, art exhibitions, and film screenings in a beautiful garden setting
- Gallery Delta — Contemporary Zimbabwean art in a restored colonial house
- Amakhosi Theatre — Live theatre, dance, and cultural performances
Day Trips From Bulawayo
Matobo Hills (35 km) — UNESCO World Heritage Site. Track rhino on foot, explore San rock art caves, and visit Cecil Rhodes' grave at World's View. One of Zimbabwe's most extraordinary landscapes.
Khami Ruins (22 km) — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the successor to Great Zimbabwe. Less visited, more atmospheric, and equally significant.
Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage (20 km) — A rehabilitation centre for orphaned and injured wildlife. Educational and family-friendly.
Food & Nightlife
Bulawayo's dining scene is surprisingly vibrant:
- Banff Lodge Restaurant — Elegant garden dining; Bulawayo's finest
- Three Monkeys — Craft beer, pizza, and live music in Hillside
- Mozambik — Flame-grilled seafood and peri-peri chicken
- The Smokehouse — Low-and-slow BBQ with craft beer
- Nesbitt Castle — Dinner in a medieval castle's dungeon bar
Shopping
- Ascot Shopping Centre — The main suburban mall
- Craft markets — Look for Ndebele beadwork, Shona sculpture, and Tonga baskets
- Haddon & Sly — Historic department store in the city centre
Walking Tours & City Exploration
The best way to experience Bulawayo's character is on foot. Several self-guided walking routes take you through the city's colonial-era architecture, including the City Hall (1940), the Bulawayo Club (1895), and the numerous Art Deco buildings along Fife Street. The National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe's Bulawayo branch hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary Zimbabwean art and is well worth a visit.
Day Trips from Bulawayo
Bulawayo is an excellent base for day trips:
- Matobo Hills (35km south): UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient rock art, giant boulders, and black rhino tracking. A full-day excursion.
- Khami Ruins (22km west): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest stone ruins in Zimbabwe after Great Zimbabwe. Much quieter and more atmospheric than its famous cousin.
- Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage (25km south): A wildlife rescue centre where you can see orphaned and injured animals being rehabilitated.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Bulawayo has a proud musical heritage — it's the birthplace of many of Zimbabwe's greatest musicians. Live music venues, particularly along Lobengula Street, offer everything from jazz to Ndebele gospel. The Bulawayo Theatre is one of the oldest in the country and hosts regular performances. For a quieter evening, the craft beer scene at venues like Byo Brewing Company has grown significantly in recent years.