Bulawayo City Guide (Zimbabwe, 2026)

Backpacking in Bulawayo
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Bulawayo once ran on smokestacks and railway wages, the factory capital of Zimbabwe. Today the chimneys are quieter, and what you get is a grid of broad avenues, colonial sandstone and a pace that lets you actually look around. It sits in the southwest of Zimbabwe, deep in Matabeleland. Come if you like museums, craft stalls and slow wandering. Skip it if you need hostel parties and a late nightlife scene. My mistake here was assuming a big-map distance meant an easy walk. I set out for the dams on foot, ended up on a long dusty verge with trucks grinding past, and learned to hail a taxi for anything beyond the center. Spend your time in the museums and the Mzilikazi craft center. Rush the rest. Unlike Harare, which sprawls and hums with traffic, Bulawayo is calmer and far easier to read on foot.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Zimbabwe Travel Guide.

Best time to go: May - October
Population: 666,000 [zimstat.co.zw]
Daily cost: US$49 to 77

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in ZimbabweWhy visitors keep coming back

Bulawayo earns its place on a route because it makes Zimbabwe easy. The city sits in Matabeleland, so it works as a logical pause between the capital and the western attractions, with road and rail links pointing in every direction. The center follows a wide, grid-planned layout, which means you can walk between museums, cafes, markets and your bed without a map or a minibus. That alone is a relief after the tangle of many southern African cities. Food leans hearty: sadza with stews, grilled meat and a few good coffee spots that suit a slow morning. Backpacker beds are fewer than in Harare or Victoria Falls, but guesthouses and small lodges fill the gap, and owners tend to be generous with local advice. Nightlife is low-key, so this is a place for early starts rather than late ones. It rewards … read more 👉

Bulawayo earns its place on a route because it makes Zimbabwe easy. The city sits in Matabeleland, so it works as a logical pause between the capital and the western attractions, with road and rail links pointing in every direction. The center follows a wide, grid-planned layout, which means you can walk between museums, cafes, markets and your bed without a map or a minibus. That alone is a relief after the tangle of many southern African cities. Food leans hearty: sadza with stews, grilled meat and a few good coffee spots that suit a slow morning. Backpacker beds are fewer than in Harare or Victoria Falls, but guesthouses and small lodges fill the gap, and owners tend to be generous with local advice. Nightlife is low-key, so this is a place for early starts rather than late ones. It rewards two days, one for the city and one for the countryside beyond. Treat it as a single overnight stop and you will only skim the surface. Stay longer and you meet a city with its own character, proudly Ndebele and unhurried.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe: The city’s best-known museum holds a huge mounted elephant, big mammal collections, birds, minerals and good sections on regional history. Go on a weekday morning when school groups thin out. Entry runs about US$5 to 10, and you need 2 to 3 hours.
Railway Museum: Old steam locomotives, carriages and the lavish coaches once used by dignitaries sit under open sky, reflecting why this city grew around the rails. Mornings are quietest. Expect US$3 to 5 and 1 to 2 hours.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo: A modest but absorbing space for contemporary Zimbabwean painting, sculpture and stone carving, with changing exhibitions. It is a calm indoor stop in the middle of the day. Entry is roughly US$2 to 5, and an hour is enough.
Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre:

… read more 👉

Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe: The city’s best-known museum holds a huge mounted elephant, big mammal collections, birds, minerals and good sections on regional history. Go on a weekday morning when school groups thin out. Entry runs about US$5 to 10, and you need 2 to 3 hours.
Railway Museum: Old steam locomotives, carriages and the lavish coaches once used by dignitaries sit under open sky, reflecting why this city grew around the rails. Mornings are quietest. Expect US$3 to 5 and 1 to 2 hours.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo: A modest but absorbing space for contemporary Zimbabwean painting, sculpture and stone carving, with changing exhibitions. It is a calm indoor stop in the middle of the day. Entry is roughly US$2 to 5, and an hour is enough.
Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre: Local artists work in this township studio complex, producing woven baskets, carvings, paintings and pottery you can watch being made. Prices are negotiable and purchases support makers directly. Visit in the morning and allow 1 to 2 hours. Browsing costs nothing.
Bulawayo City Hall: This stately civic building from the early 20th century anchors the grid, with a clock tower and sandstone detail. It is best photographed in good daylight from the street. Plan 15 to 30 minutes.
Hillside Dams Conservancy: Walking and birding paths circle reservoirs on the edge of the suburbs, with plenty of birds and quiet shade. Come in the morning for the best bird activity. Entry is about US$2 to 5, and 1 to 2 hours suits most visitors.
Centenary Park: A green public park with big trees, lawns and families picnicking on weekends. It works as a breather between museum stops. Allow 30 to 60 minutes.

From Bulawayo you can reach the rock formations and granite hills of Matobo National Park, the stone ruins at Khami and the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage as day trips. Centenary Park is free, and Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre costs nothing to enter either.

Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

Bulawayo rewards anyone who explores on foot, so lace up and tackle it area by area.

City Centre: Wide streets laid out on a grid so broad that ox wagons could turn around in them. Walk it for the colonial-era facades, the City Hall, the Bulawayo Railway Museum nearby and the National Gallery. Cheap pie shops and bakeries fuel the stroll. Fully walkable, and it deserves your first morning.
Suburbs (Suburbs, Hillside, Burnside): Leafy, quiet and residential, with jacaranda-lined roads in October. Come for cafés, a few good restaurants and a calmer pace, not for sights. You need a taxi or a long walk, and there is no nightlife to speak of.
Kumalo: A relaxed pocket close to the center with casual eateries and bars. Walkable by day, but take a taxi home after dark. A solid choice for an evening out

… read more 👉

Bulawayo rewards anyone who explores on foot, so lace up and tackle it area by area.

City Centre: Wide streets laid out on a grid so broad that ox wagons could turn around in them. Walk it for the colonial-era facades, the City Hall, the Bulawayo Railway Museum nearby and the National Gallery. Cheap pie shops and bakeries fuel the stroll. Fully walkable, and it deserves your first morning.
Suburbs (Suburbs, Hillside, Burnside): Leafy, quiet and residential, with jacaranda-lined roads in October. Come for cafés, a few good restaurants and a calmer pace, not for sights. You need a taxi or a long walk, and there is no nightlife to speak of.
Kumalo: A relaxed pocket close to the center with casual eateries and bars. Walkable by day, but take a taxi home after dark. A solid choice for an evening out without drama.
Makokoba: The oldest township, packed with markets, music history and the Stanley Square area. Go with a local guide, because the stories here are the draw and the layout confuses newcomers. Skip wandering alone with your phone out.
Hillside and Matobo side: Granite kopjes, the Hillside Dams and the Natural History Museum area. Great for a morning of birdwatching and picnics. Distances are too long for walking, so grab a cab.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

The day works best as a mix of short walks in the flat, gridded city center and a taxi for the outlying stops, with a long lunch break when the afternoon sun is at its strongest.

8:00 AM: Bulawayo City Hall and Centenary Park

Start where the streets were laid out wide enough to turn an ox wagon. The sandstone City Hall and the tree-lined avenues around it set the tone for a city of Victorian-era architecture. Stroll ten minutes along Fort Street to the next stop.

9:15 AM: Bulawayo Railway Museum

Steam locomotives, a carriage used by Cecil Rhodes and old signal gear sit on sidings here. Entry is around US$5 to 10 for foreigners, and the volunteers know the stories behind each engine. Allow 1.5 hours. Take a short taxi to the next spot.

11:30 AM: Natural History Museum

One of the larger collections … read more 👉

The day works best as a mix of short walks in the flat, gridded city center and a taxi for the outlying stops, with a long lunch break when the afternoon sun is at its strongest.

8:00 AM: Bulawayo City Hall and Centenary Park

Start where the streets were laid out wide enough to turn an ox wagon. The sandstone City Hall and the tree-lined avenues around it set the tone for a city of Victorian-era architecture. Stroll ten minutes along Fort Street to the next stop.

9:15 AM: Bulawayo Railway Museum

Steam locomotives, a carriage used by Cecil Rhodes and old signal gear sit on sidings here. Entry is around US$5 to 10 for foreigners, and the volunteers know the stories behind each engine. Allow 1.5 hours. Take a short taxi to the next spot.

11:30 AM: Natural History Museum

One of the larger collections in southern Africa, with a huge stuffed elephant, rock and mineral displays and a hall of Zimbabwe’s birdlife. It is a good place to be out of the strongest sun. Plan on 1.5 hours.

1:00 PM: Lunch and a rest in the center

Pick a café near Fort Street and Eighth Avenue, order something filling and sit out the hottest hours. Your feet will thank you for the pause.

3:00 PM: Mzilikazi and Makokoba township stroll

Take a taxi to Makokoba, the city’s oldest township, where the Stanley Square area and the old beer hall show a side of Bulawayo that rarely makes it into itineraries. Go with a local guide or a trusted hostel host, keep your phone tucked away and walk for about an hour. Markets here smell of grilled maize and frying dough.

5:00 PM: Hillside Dams viewpoint

Take a taxi to the granite kopjes and water around the Hillside suburbs. Locals jog and picnic here, and as the day cools the boulders glow warm against the sky. Stay until dusk, then catch a taxi back to your hostel for dinner.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

May to August gives Bulawayo its most comfortable weather for walking and day trips.

Cool Dry Season (May to August): Days reach 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F), nights drop to 4 to 8°C (39 to 46°F), and frost is possible in June and July. Skies stay blue and daylight runs about 10.5 to 11 hours. Matobo trips are at their best, and accommodation is busiest at moderate rates.
Hot Dry Season (September to October): Afternoons climb to 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F). Jacarandas bloom in the suburbs and game viewing improves as waterholes shrink. Prices stay steady.
Rainy Season (November to March): Expect 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F) with afternoon thunderstorms, green hills and daylight up to 13.5 hours. Dirt roads can turn muddy, but lodging is cheaper and crowds are thin.
Shoulder Months (April): Rains fade, the

… read more 👉

May to August gives Bulawayo its most comfortable weather for walking and day trips.

Cool Dry Season (May to August): Days reach 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F), nights drop to 4 to 8°C (39 to 46°F), and frost is possible in June and July. Skies stay blue and daylight runs about 10.5 to 11 hours. Matobo trips are at their best, and accommodation is busiest at moderate rates.
Hot Dry Season (September to October): Afternoons climb to 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F). Jacarandas bloom in the suburbs and game viewing improves as waterholes shrink. Prices stay steady.
Rainy Season (November to March): Expect 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F) with afternoon thunderstorms, green hills and daylight up to 13.5 hours. Dirt roads can turn muddy, but lodging is cheaper and crowds are thin.
Shoulder Months (April): Rains fade, the landscape stays green and temperatures hover around 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F).

Book Matobo-area stays early if you arrive during school holidays in August or December.

source: climatestotravel.comJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Stay in the central city or in the quiet inner suburbs of Kumalo and Suburbs, which hold nearly all of Bulawayo's budget beds.
The center gives you the most walkable base. Dorms and cheap guesthouses cluster within a few blocks of the main bus terminals, so early departures are painless. The trade-off is noise from traffic and street activity, and streets empty out after dark, so walking home late is not wise. Taxis are easy to find and cost little.
Kumalo and neighboring suburbs are calmer, greener and noticeably safer at night. Many guesthouses and small backpacker-friendly places sit behind gates … read more 👉

Stay in the central city or in the quiet inner suburbs of Kumalo and Suburbs, which hold nearly all of Bulawayo's budget beds.
The center gives you the most walkable base. Dorms and cheap guesthouses cluster within a few blocks of the main bus terminals, so early departures are painless. The trade-off is noise from traffic and street activity, and streets empty out after dark, so walking home late is not wise. Taxis are easy to find and cost little.
Kumalo and neighboring suburbs are calmer, greener and noticeably safer at night. Many guesthouses and small backpacker-friendly places sit behind gates with parking and secure courtyards, and some offer kitchens, which helps if you want to cook. You will rely on taxis or a 15 to 25 minute walk to reach the center, but the sleep is better and the restaurants nearby are good.
Budget dorm availability is thin compared with Cape Town or Nairobi, so book ahead in July, August and December. Private rooms in guesthouses often cost only slightly more than dorm beds if two of you share. Confirm that your lodging has backup power or water storage, since outages happen.

Best hostels in Bulawayo

Best quality hotels in Zimbabwe

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

The central grid of Bulawayo is flat and wide, so you can walk from the railway museum to City Hall and the gallery in minutes. Walking stops making sense once you head to the suburbs, the dams or Matobo, where distances stretch and sidewalks thin out. Traffic is light compared with Harare. Public transport exists but follows no tidy timetable, so plan around that.

Walking: Free and the best way to cover the center in daylight. Allow a half day for the museums, markets and colonial buildings. Skip it after dark, and take a cab instead.
Commuter Minibuses (Kombis): Fares run about US$0.50 to 1 per ride. They are fast, crowded and cover most suburbs, usually from around 5 am to 7 or 8 pm. Ask locals which rank serves your route, since signage is minimal. Keep valuables in front pockets.
Taxis:

… read more 👉

The central grid of Bulawayo is flat and wide, so you can walk from the railway museum to City Hall and the gallery in minutes. Walking stops making sense once you head to the suburbs, the dams or Matobo, where distances stretch and sidewalks thin out. Traffic is light compared with Harare. Public transport exists but follows no tidy timetable, so plan around that.

Walking: Free and the best way to cover the center in daylight. Allow a half day for the museums, markets and colonial buildings. Skip it after dark, and take a cab instead.
Commuter Minibuses (Kombis): Fares run about US$0.50 to 1 per ride. They are fast, crowded and cover most suburbs, usually from around 5 am to 7 or 8 pm. Ask locals which rank serves your route, since signage is minimal. Keep valuables in front pockets.
Taxis: Rides within town cost about US$3 to 6, and longer trips to the suburbs or dams US$6 to 12. Agree on the price before you get in. Ride-hailing apps are limited, so ask your accommodation to call a trusted driver. This is the best choice at night.
Intercity Buses: Long-distance coaches link Bulawayo with Harare (about 6 to 7 hours, US$12 to 20), Victoria Falls (roughly 6 hours, US$15 to 25) and Johannesburg (about 10 to 12 hours, US$30 to 50). Book a seat the day before and arrive early, as buses depart when full or on a loose schedule.
Train: The overnight service to Victoria Falls is slow and unreliable. Treat it as a curiosity rather than a plan.

Hire a driver for Matobo National Park, because no regular public transport reaches it.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Bulawayo costs backpackers about US$49 to 77 a day, with the total below based on high-season dorm prices and typical spending.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)	US$12 to 18	Few dorms exist, so guesthouse beds often fill in July, August and December.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)	US$8 to 12	Prices ease from January to March, and negotiating works.
Meals	US$10 to 15	Pie shops and sadza with stew cost US$2 to 5, and café meals US$5 to 8.
Local transport	US$3 to 6	Kombis cost US$0.50 to 1, and taxis US$3 to 6 within town.
City transport pass	Not available	No pass exists, so pay per ride.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$8 to 15	Khami Ruins, museums and the Tshabalala sanctuary cost US$5 to 10 each, and Matobo park entry is around US$15 to 20.
Miscellaneous	US$3 to 5	Water, snacks,

… read more 👉

Bulawayo costs backpackers about US$49 to 77 a day, with the total below based on high-season dorm prices and typical spending.

Category	Budget Range	Local Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)	US$12 to 18	Few dorms exist, so guesthouse beds often fill in July, August and December.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)	US$8 to 12	Prices ease from January to March, and negotiating works.
Meals	US$10 to 15	Pie shops and sadza with stew cost US$2 to 5, and café meals US$5 to 8.
Local transport	US$3 to 6	Kombis cost US$0.50 to 1, and taxis US$3 to 6 within town.
City transport pass	Not available	No pass exists, so pay per ride.
Basic activities and entry fees	US$8 to 15	Khami Ruins, museums and the Tshabalala sanctuary cost US$5 to 10 each, and Matobo park entry is around US$15 to 20.
Miscellaneous	US$3 to 5	Water, snacks, SIM data and tips.
Total Daily Budget	US$49 to 77	Lower if you cook and walk, higher with Matobo transfers.

Cook in a guesthouse kitchen and buy produce at the municipal markets to save US$5 or more a day. Bring small US dollar notes, since change is often scarce.

⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

Bulawayo works well as a day-trip base, with the world-class granite country of Matobo less than an hour away and a few quieter options beyond.Matobo National Park: The domed granite hills hold rock art, Cecil Rhodes' grave at World's View and a dense population of leopards and white rhino. The entrance is about 35 km south, a 45 to 60 minute drive. Budget US$15 to 20 for park entry, plus US$40 to 80 for a shared transfer or taxi for the day. Go in the cool season, and skip the common mistake of arriving at midday, when animals rest and the light flattens.
👉 Explore Matobo National ParkKhami Ruins: These 15th century stone terraces are Zimbabwe's second largest ruin site, with walls running along a ridge above the Khami River. Reach them in 30 minutes by taxi, about 22 km west, for US$10 to … read more 👉

Bulawayo works well as a day-trip base, with the world-class granite country of Matobo less than an hour away and a few quieter options beyond.Matobo National Park: The domed granite hills hold rock art, Cecil Rhodes' grave at World's View and a dense population of leopards and white rhino. The entrance is about 35 km south, a 45 to 60 minute drive. Budget US$15 to 20 for park entry, plus US$40 to 80 for a shared transfer or taxi for the day. Go in the cool season, and skip the common mistake of arriving at midday, when animals rest and the light flattens.
👉 Explore Matobo National ParkKhami Ruins: These 15th century stone terraces are Zimbabwe's second largest ruin site, with walls running along a ridge above the Khami River. Reach them in 30 minutes by taxi, about 22 km west, for US$10 to 20 round trip plus a small entry fee of around US$5 to 10. Early morning keeps the heat off. First-timers often forget water and shade, and there is little of either on site.
Tshabalala Game Sanctuary: A small, easygoing reserve just a 15 minute drive from town, where you can walk or ride among zebra, giraffe and antelope. Entry runs about US$5 to 10, and a taxi costs US$5 to 10 each way. It suits a relaxed half day, and the dry months give clear sightings around the dams.
Hwange Safari Day Visit: Hwange is a long haul at about 3.5 hours each way by road, so it works only as an early start with a driver, costing US$100 and up with entry. Dry months from July to October bring elephants to the waterholes. Most travelers do better staying overnight, so treat this as a tight day.
👉 Explore Hwange National Park

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Bulawayo leans on Ndebele cooking, so expect more sadza served with umxhanxa (stewed greens) and rich beef dishes than in the northern cities. The region is cattle country, so beef stew and braai (grilled meat) are done well. Look for amasi (soured milk) with sadza, and ucucu, a local bean-and-nut dish sold at markets.
For a taste of the local snack culture, hunt down vetkoek and mopane worms (called amacimbi here) at stalls near the main bus terminals and in the center. They are salty, crunchy and surprisingly moreish, usually sold in small bags for about US$1 to 2.
Casual eateries, pie shops and bakeries in the city center serve filling meals for roughly US$2 to 5. In the leafy suburbs, relaxed cafés and garden restaurants offer coffee and brunch for US$4 to 8. Evenings run to local bars where … read more 👉

Bulawayo leans on Ndebele cooking, so expect more sadza served with umxhanxa (stewed greens) and rich beef dishes than in the northern cities. The region is cattle country, so beef stew and braai (grilled meat) are done well. Look for amasi (soured milk) with sadza, and ucucu, a local bean-and-nut dish sold at markets.
For a taste of the local snack culture, hunt down vetkoek and mopane worms (called amacimbi here) at stalls near the main bus terminals and in the center. They are salty, crunchy and surprisingly moreish, usually sold in small bags for about US$1 to 2.
Casual eateries, pie shops and bakeries in the city center serve filling meals for roughly US$2 to 5. In the leafy suburbs, relaxed cafés and garden restaurants offer coffee and brunch for US$4 to 8. Evenings run to local bars where Zambezi lager and Chibuku (traditional sorghum beer, sold in cartons) flow, and a braai in the courtyard is the social heart of the night.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Bulawayo is one of the calmer cities in Zimbabwe, and daytime walking in the center is generally relaxed. After dark, streets empty out quickly, so take a taxi even for short distances, particularly if you are traveling alone. Women traveling solo usually report friendly interactions, though catcalling and persistent offers of help can happen near bus terminals.
Petty theft is the real issue. Keep phones tucked away at bus ranks, in crowded kombis and around markets, and carry only the cash you need. Some street money changers approach visitors with offers, and the deals are rarely in your favor, so use banks or pay in US dollars where accepted. Police roadblocks are common and usually brief. Be polite, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep your tone calm.
Power cuts can leave streets … read more 👉

Bulawayo is one of the calmer cities in Zimbabwe, and daytime walking in the center is generally relaxed. After dark, streets empty out quickly, so take a taxi even for short distances, particularly if you are traveling alone. Women traveling solo usually report friendly interactions, though catcalling and persistent offers of help can happen near bus terminals.
Petty theft is the real issue. Keep phones tucked away at bus ranks, in crowded kombis and around markets, and carry only the cash you need. Some street money changers approach visitors with offers, and the deals are rarely in your favor, so use banks or pay in US dollars where accepted. Police roadblocks are common and usually brief. Be polite, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep your tone calm.
Power cuts can leave streets dark, so carry a small flashlight. Cities here are not hostile to visitors, and ordinary awareness is all it takes.

Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two to three days is enough in Bulawayo, with one day for the center, the railway museum and Khami Ruins, and another for Matobo National Park about 45 to 60 minutes away. Add a third day for Tshabalala Game Sanctuary or a slower pace. Backpackers heading on to Victoria Falls, about 6 hours by bus, often stay just two nights.

Bulawayo is one of the more relaxed cities in Zimbabwe for solo backpackers, especially by day in the center. Take taxis after dark, which cost about US$3 to 6 within town, and keep phones tucked away near bus ranks and kombis. Petty theft is the main issue, and violent crime against visitors is uncommon.

Bulawayo is known for its wide colonial-era grid streets, the Railway Museum and its gateway role to Matobo National Park, 35 km south. The city is also the cultural home of the Ndebele people and has a strong arts scene, including the National Gallery. Khami Ruins, a 15th century stone site, sit about 22 km west.

⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Zimbabwean cities near Bulawayo

Explore more nearby:

Gweru—Midlands rail stop, antelope park, military museum, craft stalls| 149 km away
Masvingo—Granite ruins, mortarless walls, soapstone birds, resupply town| 235 km away
Chinhoyi—Limestone sinkhole, cobalt swimming pool, cave walks, campsite| 353 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Bulawayo gets treated as a one-night stop on the way to somewhere flashier, and that is the mistake. You end up seeing a train station and a bed. Give it two nights, start with the museums on foot, then spend a full day out in the countryside. I would also carry small US dollar notes for craft stalls.

✈️ When did I visit Zimbabwe?
I have backpacked Zimbabwe all the way back in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Zimbabwe, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.

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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpack

Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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Zimbabwe🇿🇼 | citiesBulawayoRailway heritage, sandstone avenues, township craft studios, natural history museum | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Bulawayo
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in ZimbabweWhy visitors keep coming back

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

Things to do around Bulawayo

12 Day Grand Zimbabwe Explorer Tour

Victoria Falls to Matopos National Park !

9 Days And 8 Nights Around Zimbabwe Safari Plus Chobe Day Trip (botswana)

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutZimbabwe Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Other Zimbabwean cities near Bulawayo

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Zimbabwe🇿🇼 | citiesBulawayoRailway heritage, sandstone avenues, township craft studios, natural history museum | things to do and best time to go

Backpacking in Bulawayo🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154b5b0')

✨ Why go?Ranked #2 city in ZimbabweaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154c4f0')Why visitors keep coming backaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154c4f7')

💡 HighlightsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154d3e0')Must-see experiences and standout momentsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154d3e7')

Things to do around Bulawayo

12 Day Grand Zimbabwe Explorer Tour

Victoria Falls to Matopos National Park !

9 Days And 8 Nights Around Zimbabwe Safari Plus Chobe Day Trip (botswana)

🏘️ NeighborhoodsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154db4b')Key areas and districts to knowaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154db50')

⌛️ 1 dayaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154eb3d')A smart one-day planaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154eb46')

🌤️ When to go?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154f47e')Seasonal considerations and timingaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07154f485')

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutZimbabwe Travel Guide

🛏️ Where to stay?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc071550488')How to pick the right areaaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155048e')

🚌 Getting aroundaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc071550c9c')Transportation options and practical tipsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc071550ca1')

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc0715516b5')How expensive it really isaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc0715516ba')

🚌 Day tripsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155b940')Exploring the surroundingsaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155b948')

🍲 FoodaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155bfe4')Local Cuisine & DrinksaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155bfe9')

🛡️ SafetyaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155c637')Traveler Safety GuideaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155c63b')

FAQaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155c6e0')Common questions from travelersaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155c6e5')

Other Zimbabwean cities near BulawayoaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155db43')

We 💚 feedbackaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155dd36')Summing up the experienceaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155dd3a')

👋 Meet the founderaddMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155dd90')Who’s Behind Take Your Backpack?addMaskedRevealAnimation('6adc07155dd93')

Backpacking in Bulawayo
🏆 Top pickcity ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 city in ZimbabweWhy visitors keep coming back

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Other Zimbabwean cities near Bulawayo

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?