Bulawayo

Bulawayo is a relaxed, elegant industrial city with wide tree-lined boulevards, in western Zimbabwe. Several World Heritage sites, including historic monuments from the precolonial era and national parks, are within an hour's drive from Bulawayo, making it a great tourist destination.

Understand
Bulawayo was founded by Lobengula, the last Ndebele king, who settled in what is now Zimbabwe around the 1840s along with a large number of fellow Ndebele who had trekked there all the way from Zululand. In 1893, the British South Africa Company invaded the area in a conflict known as the First Matabele War. The British troops destroyed the city and forced the king to flee. They then built modern Bulawayo over the ruins of the former royal Ndebele city.

Climate
Although by latitude, Bulawayo is in the tropics, by virtue of its fairly high elevation, its climate is subtropical. Bulawayo is cooled by a prevailing southeasterly airflow most of the year, and experiences three seasons.

With little rain and cool, refreshing temperatures during the day, the winter season from May to August is ideal for a visit.

Temperatures soar in the hot dry period from September to November, so it is advised to book accommodation with air conditioning if you plan to visit during those months.

Rain moderates the temperature from December to March, mainly in the form of brief afternoon thunderstorms.

By plane
The main airport is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
 * Air Zimbabwe Harare, Johannesburg, Victoria falls.
 * Airlink Johannesburg.
 * Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa
 * Fastjet Zimbabwe Harare, Johannesburg

Visas available on arrival are US$30 for single entry, US$45 for double entry. For UK and Irish citizens, it is US$55 or double entry US$70. For Canadians, single entry is US$75.

If you're going to Victoria Falls and you plan to visit Zambia or Botswana, buy a double-entry visa. But if you plan to go to Botswana and Zambia, buy a single-entry visa. Then obtain a Kaza Univisa for US$50 at the Zambian border. This is then valid for daytrips to Botswana but only obtainable at the Zambian border.

A taxi from the airport into town should be US$10 as of July 2019 (price on Vaya app is Z$85).

The ATM in the airport does not work.

By train
National Railways of Zimbabwe runs a daily train to and from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo. It departs Bulawayo at 19:30. From Victoria Falls it departs 19:00. The trip takes about 15 hr and is sometimes delayed. It costs Z$20 for first class sleeper and Z$9 for bedding as of July 2019. First class cabins have 2 or 4 bunks per compartment, second class generally has 6, although there are special "half compartments" with 2 and 3 bunks respectively. Economy class is also available. Electric lights are available and sometimes shaver sockets, but no normal plug sockets, running water or toilet paper. This train is sometimes without electricity, so take a torch just in case.

There is also a night sleeper train from the capital Harare three times a week. Sleeper class $12, seat $10. Cross-border trains from Botswana have resumed after a long hiatus, with one daily morning departure from Francistown.



By bus
Minibus taxis run from the township outside Victoria Falls to Bulawayo in the very early morning and takes approximately 7 hours.

The five most commonly recommended bus companies running daily services from Johannesburg to Bulawayo are Intercape, Greyhound, Intercity, Citiliner, Eagle Liner. Tickets can be booked online. The journey costs R330–R470 (South African rand) on high quality luxury coaches. Eagle Liner buses depart Bulawayo for Johannesburg everyday at 14:30. the ticket cost R330. The Eagle liner booking office is at 5th Ave and G Silundika street.

Intercape also has buses from Bulawayo to Vic Falls, Harare. Intercape has the Largest intercity route network in southern Africa.

Extra City and Stallion Cruise also have buses going to/from Harare and Victoria Falls (many in the morning, one overnight, US$15, 7-8 h).

Get around
The city is fairly walkable.

By bus
Local transport is mainly by 18 seater minibuses called "kombis". The cost from the CBD to the suburbs is usually 50 cents.

By taxi
Taxis do not have a particular colour but are clearly marked. A taxi trip within the CBD costs US$2 and outside the city center limits it costs US$1 per km.

Do

 * Cricket:


 * Explore the streets
 * |Amakhosi Theatre, cnr of Old Falls Rd. and Lady Stanley St. Try this for local performing arts events.
 * |Amakhosi Theatre, cnr of Old Falls Rd. and Lady Stanley St. Try this for local performing arts events.

Shopping & supermarkets

 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.

Banks & ATMs
As of July 2019, all ATMs in town have been disconnected from the international network and foreign cards do not work. You will not be able to withdraw any cash, so bring plenty of US dollars. In Bulawayo, shop assistants are not used to foreigners. You can pay for things by credit card but you will be charged 8 times too much, i.e. instead of Z$10 you will be charged US$10!

Some shops may accept US dollars in cash but will give change in Zimbabwean dollars.

Banks will not change US dollars into Zimbabwean dollars due to a shortage of paper notes, but they will change US dollars into EcoCash (you will need to get an EcoNet SIM card first).

Budget under USD 50
Have a look at Airbnb for some cheaper rooms under usd 40.

Stay healthy
There was an outbreak of cholera in 2008. Check on current conditions before you go, and make sure to avoid obvious possible sources of contagion, such as unboiled water that is not from a sealed bottle and raw fruits or vegetables, especially if they can't be peeled. Also, strongly consider washing toothbrushes only with water that has either been boiled or come out of a sealed bottle. Unfortunately, water shortages are also a strong possibility in Bulawayo and the rest of Zimbabwe.