What are the best things to do in Bulawayo?
Top picks in Bulawayo include Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, National Art Gallery, Bulawayo Railway Museum, Khami Ruins. See the full list and itinerary on this Bulawayo travel guide.
Photo: Prince Phumulani Nyoni · Public domain
Why visit Bulawayo
Travel guide for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Bulawayo is a stop in Zimbabwe, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, National Art Gallery, Bulawayo Railway Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 35–110 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Experiences
Things to do in Bulawayo
1
Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
2
National Art Gallery
3
Bulawayo Railway Museum
4
Khami Ruins
5
to Khami Ruins
6
to Hwange National Park
Plan your trip
Bulawayo itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
- Visit National Art Gallery
- Visit Bulawayo Railway Museum
- Eat at New Orleans Restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Khami Ruins
- Visit to Khami Ruins
- Visit to Hwange National Park
- Eat at Haefelli's Bakery
Budget
Bulawayo trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 35–110
per person / day
Luxury
USD 125–210+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Bulawayo
Estimated total (USD)
$1,935
≈ $968 per person · $276 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $70/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Bulawayo mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 35–110 · luxury 125–210+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
New Orleans Restaurant
Classy, for Bulawayo. Excellent staff and reasonable prices.
Haefelli's Bakery
el's (pronounced hay-flees) offers a strange mix of food services. It is a bakery (offering various breads and pastries), it is a pizza shop
Cubana Bulawayo
Here they do cocktails and Portuguese chicken.
Bulawayo Club
Old-fashioned club with a wood-panelled bar and an open-air atrium. Dinner is around US$11, including a soup course. Must book in advance, v
River Cafe
Chill out in the garden, great with kids, and nice curio shop attached.
La Plaza
A fdeli and coffee shop where you will find Mediterranean specialties.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $
Crocodile Rock Lodge
Single/double rooms. nice garden. free wifi.
- $
The Greys Inn Hotel
The hotel may have seen better days, but maybe not. Bathrooms are especially dilapidated. Shaky Wi-Fi is included in the price.
- $$
Y W C A
Single/double rooms. Accepts men and women. Breakfast US$4. It looks very run down.
- $
Fleming Place
Double room with own bathroom. nice garden.
Shopping
- Jairos Jiri Craftshop
- The Bulawayo Centre
- Ascot shopping center
- Zonkizizwe Shopping Complex
- Haddon and Sly Supermarket
- TM - Pick N Pay Supermaket
Nightlife
- Tin Cup Pub And Grill
- Roosters Pub & Grill
- Cafe Baku
- Walkers Pub
- Bulawayo Athletic Club
- 3 Daughters
Museums & culture
- Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
- National Art Gallery
- Bulawayo Railway Museum
In pictures
Bulawayo gallery
Photos: Prince Phumulani Nyoni, T D Ravenscroft, CDC/ Dr. J. Lyle Conrad, Scott.wheeler — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Bulawayo travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Bulawayo?
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
How many days do I need in Bulawayo?
Plan at least 2 days in Bulawayo for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Bulawayo?
Popular stays in Bulawayo include Crocodile Rock Lodge, The Greys Inn Hotel, Y W C A. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Bulawayo cost?
On the ground in Bulawayo (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 35–110, and luxury about 125–210+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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