Major city · Zimbabwe
Bulawayo
Give Bulawayo 2 nights: one day for the museums and Khami Ruins, one for Matobo Hills rhinos. Skip it if you only have time for Victoria Falls.
Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second city and the base for Matobo Hills, a UNESCO site an hour south where you can track rhinos on foot. The city itself is low-rise and walkable, with wide tree-lined streets, a strong railway and natural-history museum pair, and Khami Ruins 22 km west. Most travellers come for two nights between Victoria Falls and Harare, or as a stop on the Johannesburg road.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Aug (cool, dry)
- avoid Sep–Nov (hot, dry), Dec–Mar (afternoon storms)
- Airport
- BUQ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zimbabwe ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zimbabwean government sources; if you will cross to Zambia, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zimbabwe ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or border posts.
- Zimbabwe ↗Bring enough US dollars in small, clean notes; do not rely on ATMs or foreign cards outside Victoria Falls, Harare and lodges.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bulawayo995 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bulawayo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars are widely used; the local currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG, since April 2024), trades around 26–27 per US$ in 2026 and rules change often…Zimbabwe-wide
- SIM or eSIMEconet and NetOne sell SIMs with passport registration; Econet has wider coverage.Zimbabwe-wide
- Tap waterTreated tap water in Victoria Falls hotels; elsewhere drink bottled or filtered water.Zimbabwe-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10%.Zimbabwe-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Zimbabwe-wide
- SafetyBulawayo is calmer than Harare and fine on foot by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets at hotels and lodges; few public facilities on the road.Zimbabwe-wide
- Emergency numbers995 police · 994 ambulance · 993 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on public holidays; tourist businesses at Victoria Falls stay open.Zimbabwe-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBUQ Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International (About 20 km (12 mi) north of the centre; taxi to town around US$10 (check)).BUQ Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International (About 12 mi (20 km) north of the centre; taxi to town around US$10 (check)).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable; kombis (18-seat minibuses) cover the suburbs for about US$0.50.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–3
- Sit-down mealSteak dinnerUS$11–18
- Beerbar or pubUS$2–4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, CBD tripUS$2
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, non-residentUS$5–10
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$10
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double, a night, per roomUS$60
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$40 · Mid US$80 · High US$160
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BUQ Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International (About 20 km (12 mi) north of the centre; taxi to town around US$10 (check))BUQ Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International (About 12 mi (20 km) north of the centre; taxi to town around US$10 (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Aug. Avoid: Sep–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jun (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bulawayo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable; kombis (18-seat minibuses) cover the suburbs for about US$0.50. Taxis are unmarked but clearly signed: about US$2 in the CBD, roughly US$1 per km beyond. inDrive works here (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Matobo Hills
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Guided 4x4 from Bulawayo, about 1 h to the park gate
Rhino tracking on foot with a licensed guide; book the day before. Full day.
Khami Ruins
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Taxi or self-drive, 22 km (14 mi) west of the centreTaxi or self-drive, 14 mi (22 km) west of the centre
UNESCO stone terraces from the Butua state (c. 1450–1644). Taxi return around US$30 (check).
Hillside Dams
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Taxi or kombi to Hillside, then a short walk
Walking and biking trails, birdlife; go in daylight with a group.
Victoria Falls
overnightDoor to door: 3 h by air with transfers
Air Zimbabwe or Fastjet to VFA, about 1 h; road is 440 km (273 mi)Air Zimbabwe or Fastjet to VFA, about 1 h; road is 273 mi (440 km)
Fly, don't drive it in a day. See the Victoria Falls guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
CBD (Fife Street / 8th Avenue)
Walkable to both museums, the gallery and the Bulawayo Centre; best for a short stay without a car.
Hillside
Leafy suburb 10 min south by car; guesthouses with gardens, close to Hillside Dams.
Burnside
Quiet residential area about 6 km (3.7 mi) out; backpacker hostels and self-catering, kombi to town.Quiet residential area about 3.7 mi (6 km) out; backpacker hostels and self-catering, kombi to town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$35–60 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$60–120 excl. bed
- High
- US$120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double1 × 2 nights × US$60 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$80 | US$320 |
| Airport taxi, one way1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Matobo Hills guided day with rhino tracking2 × US$120 · check | US$240 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$72 |
| Trip total≈ US$198 per person per day, bed included | US$792 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; long-distance transport and safari lodges excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–3 |
| Lunch, café or bookshop | US$5–10 |
| Steak dinner | US$11–18 |
| Beer, bar or pub | US$2–4 |
| Kombi ride, CBD to suburb | US$0.50 |
| Taxi, CBD trip | US$2 |
| Museum entry, non-resident | US$5–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Card machines can bill you in US dollars at a rate far above the local price: ask the total in US$ before you tap.
- Some shops give change in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) notes, not US dollars: carry small US$ notes.
- The airport ATM has been reported out of service: bring cash.
- Matobo Hills roads are rough and unlit; go with a guide and be back before dark.
- Police roadblocks are common on intercity roads: keep your licence and papers to hand.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 995
- Ambulance
- 994
- Fire
- 993
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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BulawayoBulawayo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ngicela uye kuleli kheliTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police995
- Ambulance994
- Fire993
Embassy
Most embassies are in Harare; the US, UK and others keep no consulate in Bulawayo. Check your embassy in Harare before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → CBD taxi: about US$10, 25–30 min (check)
- CBD taxi: about US$2
- Kombi, CBD → suburb: about US$0.50
Say or show
- Sawubona — Hello (sa-woo-BOH-nah)
- Ngiyabonga — Thank you (ngee-yah-BOHN-gah)
- Kubiza malini? — How much is it? (koo-BEE-zah mah-LEE-nee)
- Ithoyilethi likuphi? — Where is the toilet? (ee-toh-yee-LAY-tee lee-KOO-pee)
- Ngicela usizo — I need help (ngee-CHAY-lah oo-SEE-zoh)
Cash is king: US dollars in small notes. Cards work in hotels and supermarkets but watch the exchange rate.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bulawayo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Aug (cool, dry) · avoid Sep–Nov (hot, dry), Dec–Mar (afternoon storms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BUQ: taxi band, inDrive fallback, night-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters: CBD museums and gallery, Bulawayo Centre, Hillside.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry fees (Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Railway Museum, Khami).
- Matobo Hills operator shortlist with rhino-tracking cutoffs and a wet-weather fallback.