Bulawayo

Introduction

Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 kilometres southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland. The capital of Matabeleland North is now Lupane, as Bulawayo is a stand-alone province.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

Bulawayo Music Festival

Presented by the Zimbabwe Academy of Music, the Bulawayo Music Festival is held every two years from May 23-27. Playing host to a wide range of genres including classical, pop, jazz, and gospel, the festival is one of best musical showcases in the country. There are a variety of concerts by both international and Zimbabwean acts, but also informative workshops for festival-goers to attend.

Weather

Bulawayo is located at higher altitude. Here, summers are close to 30 degrees Celcius during the day, around 15 or 16 degrees at night. Winters (June - September) are above 20 degrees during the day, dropping to a rather chilly 7 degrees at night. Most rain falls between December and February, close to 200 mm a month in some places. June to September is almost completely dry.

Getting There

By Train

Since 2006, there is a thrice a week train between Francistown in Botswana and Bulawayo. The train leaves Francistown on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays around 9am and arrives approximately 6 hours later in Bulawayo. In the other direction, the train leaves Bulawayo at 9.30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, taking 5 and a half hours.

Getting Around

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Upscale

View our map of accommodation in Bulawayo or use the form below to search for availability (Travellerspoint receives a commission for bookings made through the form)

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

External Links