National Art Gallery Bulawayo
An art gallery in Bulawayo showcasing works by Zimbabwean and international artists.
🌐 nationalgallerybyo.com🕒 Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00
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Bulawayo
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State capital
ℹ️Practical info — Bulawayo
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The city center is laid out in a wide grid system, making it very easy to navigate on foot.
- Always carry small USD denomination notes for easy street purchases and minor tips.
- Don't miss the Natural History Museum; it's one of the best in Southern Africa and rarely crowded.
- Book a day trip to Matobo National Park, but make sure you go with an experienced guide.
- Minibus taxis (kombis) can be chaotic; private metered taxis are much safer for tourists.
🍽 Food
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Sadza and Nyama
Traditional maize meal with meat stew, best enjoyed in authentic local diners.
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Braai meat
Grilled meat served at weekend outdoor barbecues at local gathering spots.
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Biltong
Dried cured meat that makes an excellent on-the-go snack from local butchers.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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Jairos Jiri Craft Shop
Excellent place for authentic local crafts; your purchases support a worthy cause.
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Bulawayo Center
The city's main mall for general modern shopping and supermarkets.
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Centenary Park
A large, peaceful green space in the city center excellent for an afternoon stroll.
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Hillside Dams Conservancy
Provides relaxing water views and gentle walking trails on the city's edge.
Water temperature…
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city and its industrial heart, is affectionately known as the 'City of Kings' due to its royal Ndebele origins. Founded in 1894 near the site of Lobengula’s former capital, the city is famous for its distinctive grid layout featuring exceptionally wide streets. These roads were originally designed to allow a full team of 16 oxen to make a complete U-turn, a practical necessity of the colonial era that now gives the city a spacious, uncluttered feel. Lined with purple-blossomed jacaranda trees, the avenues lead to impressive landmarks such as the Natural History Museum, which houses one of the best collections in Southern Africa. Bulawayo is the headquarters of the National Railways and remains a vital logistics hub. It also serves as the gateway to the Matobo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic balancing rocks and ancient San rock art. With its blend of Victorian colonial architecture and a thriving contemporary arts scene, Bulawayo has a slower, more refined pace of life compared to the national capital.
- Location: Zimbabwe
- Top sights: National Art Gallery Bulawayo · Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica · Bulawayo Theatre
- Nearby: Inyati (55 km)
- Population: ~665.952 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Aug, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
| Rain mm | 126 | 120 | 79 | 31 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 27 | 83 | 144 |
Geography
Facts
- Known as: The City of Kings.
- Heritage: Former capital of the Ndebele Kingdom.
- Key sites: Near Matobo National Park and Khami Ruins.
- Economy: Rail network and manufacturing hub.
- Atmosphere: Known for its wide, grid-patterned streets.
- Location: Southwestern Zimbabwe.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Bulawayo (5)
The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe🏛 museum
Natural history museum in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with collections on wildlife and geology.
Bulawayo Railway Museum🏛 museum
Railway museum in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, displaying historic locomotives and carriages.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Bulawayo take?
Allocate about 2 days to experience the city and surroundings comfortably.
Is the city suitable for families?
Yes, Bulawayo has many parks and museums interesting for children.
Are there local restaurants?
There is a good selection of restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
Is bus travel safe?
For long-distance travel, use only established bus companies.
What is the best season to visit?
The months of May to October are good as it is dry and mild.
Bulawayo: where is it located?
Bulawayo is located in Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo: what is there to see?
Highlights include National Art Gallery Bulawayo, Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Bulawayo Theatre.
Bulawayo: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Aug, Sep.
Bulawayo: why is it worth visiting?
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city and its industrial heart, is affectionately known as the 'City of Kings' due to its royal Ndebele origins.
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Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Bulawayo City Hall
The historic municipal administration building in the center of Bulawayo.
St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica (Bulawayo)
A Roman Catholic basilica in Bulawayo featuring impressive architecture.
Bulawayo Centre
A large shopping and business complex in downtown Bulawayo.
Centenary Park Amphitheatre
A distinctive open-air theater located within Bulawayo's large Centenary Park.
NRZ Headquarters
The imposing main administration building of the National Railways of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
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Barbourfields Stadium
The main football stadium in Bulawayo and home to the popular club Highlanders FC.
More places
Delta Beverages Bulawayo
A key brewing and distribution hub for the southern regions of Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo Dry Port
An inland terminal strategically placed to connect South African and regional rail networks.
Bulawayo Children's Park
A public park with play areas for children.
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Bulawayo Bird Sanctuary
An urban sanctuary for diverse bird species.
Old Bulawayo
The former capital of King Lobengula, which he burned down himself in 1893.
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How Mine
A significant gold mining operation located just outside Bulawayo.
Khami Ruins
Khami was the capital of the Torwa dynasty and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Bulawayo Hills
Hilly terrain around Bulawayo.