Bulawayo, Zimbabwe · Africa
Bulawayo sits on the route: 45 minutes from Esigodini, 39km from World's View, Matobo Hills.
Bulawayo is a city located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. With a population of 665,952, it is an important destination in Africa.
On a road trip, Bulawayo sits in Zimbabwe. It's in the Africa/Harare time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Bulawayo to your route.
Bulawayo (, ; Northern Ndebele: Bulawayo) is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and the largest city in the country's Matabeleland region. The city's population is disputed; the 2022 census listed it at 665,940, while the Bulawayo City Council claimed it to be about 1.2 million. Bulawayo covers an area of 546 squareRead more
kilometres (211 square miles) in the western part of the country, along the Matsheumhlope River. Along with the capital Harare, Bulawayo is one of two cities in Zimbabwe that are also provinces.
Bulawayo was founded by a group led by Gundwane Ndiweni around 1840 as the kraal of Mzilikazi, the Ndebele king and was known as Gibixhegu. His son, Lobengula, succeeded him in the 1860s, and changed the name to koBulawayo and ruled from Bulawayo until 1893, when the settlement was captured by British South Africa Company soldiers during the First Matabele War. That year, the first white settlers arrived and rebuilt the town. The town was besieged by Ndebele warriors during the Second Matabele War. Bulawayo attained municipality status in 1897, and city status in 1943.
Historically, Bulawayo has been the principal industrial centre of Zimbabwe; its factories produce cars and car products, building materials, electronic products, textiles, furniture, and food products. Bulawayo is also the hub of Zimbabwe's rail network and the headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo's central business district (CBD) covers 5.4 km2 (2.1 sq mi) in the heart of the city and is surrounded by numerous suburbs. The majority of the city's population belongs to the Ndebele people, with minorities of Shona and other groups, including Coloured and White Zimbabweans. Bulawayo is home to over a dozen colleges and universities, most notably the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe School of Mines, Hillside Teachers College, and the United College of Education. The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, formerly the National Museum, is located in Bulawayo. The city is close to tourist sites such as Matobo National Park and the Khami World Heritage Site.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Bulawayo.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Bulawayo.
Bulawayo offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Bulawayo with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Bulawayo as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Bulawayo is located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Africa. The coordinates are -20.1500 latitude, 28.5833 longitude.
Bulawayo has a population of approximately 665,952 people, making it a city in Zimbabwe.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Bulawayo as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Bulawayo. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
1 notable place within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
The summit of Malindidzimu, a granite whaleback in a natural amphitheatre of balancing boulders, holding Cecil Rhodes' grave and a 360-degree view over the Matobo kopjes. A short steep walk from the car park.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Bulawayo.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning