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The columned front of Bulawayo City Hall among palms and pine trees

South-western Zimbabwe · Gateway to the Matopos

Bulawayo

Discover a heritage city with the country’s largest museum, and the Matobo Hills and Khami ruins within reach.

  • 1964the Natural History Museum opened
  • 2 million+insect specimens in its collections
  • 22.5 kmwest to Khami World Heritage Site
Source: National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe ↗

Photo: Scott.wheeler · CC BY 3.0 · Cropped for display

The destination

Discover Bulawayo

Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and a natural base for exploring the south-west. In town, the Natural History Museum in Centenary Park is the largest in the country; beyond it lie the Khami World Heritage Site and the Matobo Hills.

Ways to experience it

  1. Spend time at the Natural History Museum in Centenary Park.
  2. Visit the Khami World Heritage Site, west of the city.
  3. Use the city as a base for days in the Matobo Hills.
Where is Bulawayo? South-western Zimbabwe · Gateway to the Matopos. The pin marks the approximate area. Map outline: geoBoundaries · CC BY 3.0 IGO
Bulawayo · Photo: Scott.wheeler · CC BY 3.0

Explore more

Highlights to discover

What makes Bulawayo worth the journey, from the official sources we rely on.

  1. The country’s largest museum

    The Natural History Museum in Centenary Park opened to the public in 1964 and holds more than two million insect specimens alongside a major mammal collection.

    Read source ↗

  2. Heritage beyond the city

    The Khami World Heritage Site lies about 22.5 km west of Bulawayo, and Old Bulawayo, the first city built for King Lobengula, about 22 km south.

    Read source ↗

Explore locally

Places to explore

Places to stay, things to do and somewhere to eat in Bulawayo.

37 published places to start exploring.

Browse all places in Bulawayo →

Bulawayo · Scott.wheeler · CC BY 3.0

Plan your trip

Helpful information

Confirm opening hours and entry arrangements with museums and heritage sites, and plan transport for trips outside the city.

When to visit

Bulawayo is visited year-round. Check museum and heritage-site opening days before you plan your time.

Read more about when to visit

Getting there and around

Khami, Old Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills are all outside the city. Arrange transport and confirm routes in advance.

Read more about getting there and around

Safety and access

Follow local advice, keep valuables secure and check current official travel guidance before you travel.

Read more about safety and access

Read the full guide to planning your visit

Information sources

Information sources

National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe — Western Region, Bulawayo ↗

Editorial guidance, not live operating information. Reconfirm fees, opening times, access, weather and any operator arrangements before travel.

Editorial source review: 2026-10-17

37 currently published places associated with Bulawayo.

Continue your journey

Nearby destinations

Straight-line distances between destination areas; road journeys are longer.