Top Things to Do in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s when it was founded as a small trading town. Since then, it has grown into a thriving metropolis with a population of over six hundred thousand people.
The city is a popular tourist destination for those interested in seeing a city that has grown so rapidly in such a short time. Bulawayo is home to many historical landmarks, including the Ndebele Royal Kraal, the Bulawayo Railway Museum, and the Khami Ruins. There are also several parks and gardens, as well as a number of excellent restaurants and hotels.
Whether you are looking to explore the city of Bulawayo or just want to see the natural beauty of the area, there are a number of things you can do while you are in the city. If you are looking to visit the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, visit the Natural History Museum, or explore the Khami ruins, you will be in for a treat!
Discover Bulawayo Town
Whether you’re visiting Zimbabwe for the first time or you’re an old hand, there are plenty of things to see and do in Bulawayo. You’ll find some of the country’s best museums, some lovely parks, and plenty of opportunities to experience the local culture.
Located in western Zimbabwe, Bulawayo is a vibrant and friendly city. It has a clean, well-ordered city center. It’s also a convenient entry and exit point for many other areas in Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo is home to several colleges, vocational training centers, and institutes of technology. It is also the home of the National University of Science and Technology. In addition to being the university, Bulawayo is also home to many institutes of technology.
The National History Museum of Zimbabwe is the country’s largest museum and focuses on African history. There are also several other museums to visit in Bulawayo. Many of them contain old carriages, trains, and other interesting items.
You can also find several art galleries in Bulawayo. The Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre features sculptures, basketry, and beadwork. You can also visit the Fazak Gift Centre, which has a wide selection of souvenirs.
Explore The Matobo National Park
Located in southern Bulawayo, the Matobo National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Zimbabwe. It was established in 1926 as a bequest by Cecil Rhodes.
The park is home to a diverse variety of animals. It has a high concentration of leopards and black eagles. It also has a successful breeding program for the black and white rhino. During the wet season, visitors are also able to view the newborn animals.
The Matobo National Park is an Intensive Protection Zone for rhinoceros. It is also home to almost extinct rhinoceros. The park also has a number of dams. This helps to sustain the high diversity of vegetation found in the park.
The park is also famous for its rock art paintings. It is home to a variety of species including isiNdebele, giraffe, Cape Eagle, rock hyrax, and black and white rhino. The park is also a burial site for the late Cecil Rhodes.
Visitors can take guided walking tours through the park. There are also pony trails that take guests to the Whovi Wild Area. These trails also provide a great opportunity for visitors to get closer to the animals.
Stop By The Natural History Museum
Located in the city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, the Natural History Museum is a fascinating place to visit. It houses exhibits on the history of Zimbabwe and its mineral wealth.
The museum’s most important exhibits are its dioramas, which show mounted specimens in a natural setting. It’s one of the most impressive museums in Southern Africa.
The Hall of Invertebrates displays a collection of insects in a highly artistic display. The Museum also has a 120-seat lecture hall.
The Natural History Museum is also home to one of the largest collections of bird specimens in the world. It also boasts one of the world’s largest collections of gemstones. The Museum’s information page is updated frequently. The Museum’s website includes an online guide and a list of nearby attractions.
The Natural History Museum also boasts a cafeteria. Visitors can also take advantage of the Museum’s library. The Natural History Museum is located on Leopold Takawira Avenue in the city of Bulawayo.
The museum is housed in a circular building with four floors. Most research departments are located on the lower floor.
Explore The Khami Ruins
Located near the city of Bulawayo, the Khami Ruins is a great place to explore. The site is a testament to Zimbabwe’s history and culture. It has been named a World Heritage Site.
Khami was the capital of one of the great pre-colonial Shona states. It was also a major trade center. It was linked to Swahili ports on the east coast of Africa. The ruins contain archaeological finds that suggest that Khami was one of the largest centers of trade in the region.
The main site is composed of a number of stone platforms and dry stone walls. The largest ruins include three-tiered platforms. The northern site is also home to a chiefas’ residence (mambo).
The Hill Complex is comprised of a number of artificial stone platforms, some of which are hut platforms. There are also circular artificial platforms. The western parts of the Hill Complex are decorated with cord and chequer. The site also has an elaborately decorated wall.
There are two other stone platforms at Khami, the Precipice Ruins, and the Cross Ruin. The Cross Ruin is famous for a mysterious stone Dominican cross. The site is also home to several earthen houses.
Visit Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage and Research Centre
Located in the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo, Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage and Research Centre is a nonprofit animal rescue center. The center takes in animals from all over Zimbabwe and provides them with a safe haven while at the same time providing educational opportunities to children.
The center also functions as a research and breeding facility. The center is located on 60 ha of land and cares for hundreds of animals. The center also offers a volunteer program, which offers an opportunity for individuals to make a difference in the lives of wildlife.
The center has many attractions for visitors, such as the Barry Wilson Aviary, which is named after the late son of the founders. It’s home to a variety of different types of birds. The aviary is also home to flamingos, owls, eagles, monkeys, and peacocks.
The center also offers a volunteer program, which is open to individuals and families with children. Volunteers are needed to help with animal care, enrichment ideas, and construction work. The program offers a range of perks, such as tours of the orphanage, Animal Time, and a chance to explore the surrounding Matopos National Park.
Do Not Miss The Tshabalala Game Sanctuary
Located in the thorny bushveld of Bulawayo, Tshabalala Game Sanctuary is a green space that’s worth checking out. This small but impressive park has more than 50 vacation rentals, a restaurant, and a small gift shop. The best part is that they offer great value. You can even book a vacation rental for less than the price of a burger at a fast food joint.
There are many attractions in and around the city of Bulawayo. If you’re into nature, you’ll love the numerous national parks in the area, including the much-lauded Hwange National Park.
The National Art Gallery is in the same neighborhood as the Queens Sports Club. The museum is a great way to sate your need for culture, while the Queens is a popular sporting facility in Bulawayo. The city also boasts a handful of stadia, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The city is full of things to do, and the best part is that you can do them all on foot.
The Tshabalala Game Sanctuary is ten kilometers away from the city center. The entrance fee is nominal, but the experience is well worth the expense.
Do Not Miss The National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo
Founded in 1957, The National Gallery of Zimbabwe has a mission to preserve and present contemporary art and visual heritage. The Gallery’s core activities include preserving and promoting the visual arts, developing artistic skills, and educating the public on art and cultural issues. A quality gallery shop and non-circulating library, focusing on African Modern Art, also reside at the Gallery.
The Gallery is currently accepting proposals for self-funded curatorial projects and international exhibitions, as well as visiting artists in residency. It is also encouraging artists from SADC to apply for professional artist positions.
The Gallery is currently hosting a group exhibition entitled POWERPLAY. The exhibition features digital media artists, moving image artists, and technology artists. The exhibition runs from 15 August – 26 September at the arebyte Gallery in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. A virtual reality version of the exhibition will also travel to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare.
The gallery also hosts annual exhibitions of work by local artists. The gallery has studios where visitors can see the artists working. The gallery also features a sculpture garden.
Explore The Hillside Dams Conservancy In Bulawayo
Located in Bulawayo, Hillside Dams is a national monument. The site was a favorite of King Lobengula Khumalo, the founding father of Zimbabwe. In fact, the area around the dams was declared a national monument in 1942.
The site is a popular spot for a good old-fashioned day out. Visitors can take a short walk around the dam, or enjoy a picnic at the cafe. The site is also home to three marked walking trails.
The best part about this site is that it is free to enter. The viewing deck gives great views of the dam. The site also boasts a small museum with interesting exhibits. The site also has a zipline, canoeing, and a giant trampoline for kids.
The site was declared a national monument in 1942, a few years after the dams were built. The area around the dams was also named the first bird sanctuary in the country. The water supply system was built in 1895 by a group of leading Rhodesian settlers, but the dams themselves were not completed until January 1898.
Conclusion
Bulawayo has a very rich history and is a great tourist destination for those interested in seeing a city that has grown from a small trading town to a thriving metropolis in a very short time.
It’s a place with a lot of interesting things to do and see, including the Matopos National Park, the ancient river valley with its granite dome-shaped boulders and mysterious caves, the rock art of the Sengwa Sculptors, the Munhumutapa Empire, the famous Victoria Falls, and the wonderful wildlife of Lake Kariba.
Bulawayo is a great place to visit for its rich history, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. The city has a lot to offer tourists, from its vibrant nightlife and great restaurants to its many historical sites and museums. There is something for everyone in here, and it is a city that should not be missed.
