Guidebook for Bulawayo
Food Scene
From savory sandwiches to decadent desserts and coffee (with fresh cream!), this cafe is as visually delicious as the food; the garden is relaxing and additional green space is great for kids. International cards are accepted! The owner, Allyson, is also a gem!
Middy's Coffee Shop
From savory sandwiches to decadent desserts and coffee (with fresh cream!), this cafe is as visually delicious as the food; the garden is relaxing and additional green space is great for kids. International cards are accepted! The owner, Allyson, is also a gem!
Great melt in your mouth food (rump steak or ribs w/mashed potato and creamed spinach...just saying), ambiance and one of the more generous wine lists in Bulawayo. They also have this ginger-infused juice that'll make you sing! Kimba and his staff are also a warm and welcome addition!
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The Kraal Pizza & Grill
54 Fairbridge WayGreat melt in your mouth food (rump steak or ribs w/mashed potato and creamed spinach...just saying), ambiance and one of the more generous wine lists in Bulawayo. They also have this ginger-infused juice that'll make you sing! Kimba and his staff are also a warm and welcome addition!
Indaba Book Cafe
92 Josiah Tongogara RdMilkshakes. Burgers. Books. Quaint. Need we say more?
Nice drinks and ambiance in the evening. Haven't tried the food, yet, in order to confirm the Brazillian experience
Carne Casa
George Silundika StreetNice drinks and ambiance in the evening. Haven't tried the food, yet, in order to confirm the Brazillian experience
New Orleans Restaurant
4 Banff RdPizza is authentic and beer prices are very friendly!
Log this one under Bakery, too, because this deli is famous for its cakes (great for birthdays, anniversaries...celebrating of the sake of)! Their grilled and moist meats and authentic cheese can convert even salad haters. A quest for parmesan starts and ends here.
Brooks Cafe
Hillside RoadLog this one under Bakery, too, because this deli is famous for its cakes (great for birthdays, anniversaries...celebrating of the sake of)! Their grilled and moist meats and authentic cheese can convert even salad haters. A quest for parmesan starts and ends here.
Steak and ribs in a ranch style-themed restaurant decorated with a side of Calgary Stampede memorabilia and "cowgirl" "cowboy" lingo, without being hokey. The owner enjoys stopped by his guests' tables to say hello and chat about anything from politics to wine. Great for birthday and other celebratory meals! Downside is that they don't accept international cards.
The Cattleman
Twelfth AvenueSteak and ribs in a ranch style-themed restaurant decorated with a side of Calgary Stampede memorabilia and "cowgirl" "cowboy" lingo, without being hokey. The owner enjoys stopped by his guests' tables to say hello and chat about anything from politics to wine. Great for birthday and other celebratory meals! Downside is that they don't accept international cards.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cocktails, chill vibe and good music. They also accept international cards! Alert security and plenty of cabs when you're ready to call it a night. Attracts tourists without feeling like a trap.
Cubana
105 Robert Mugabe WayCocktails, chill vibe and good music. They also accept international cards! Alert security and plenty of cabs when you're ready to call it a night. Attracts tourists without feeling like a trap.
More bar than nightclub feel. Offers live music and other performances on the weekends! Fusion band is a welcome regular and will have you dancing to African and western pop, house, etc. Drinks are cheap
The Red CAFE.
Eleventh AvenueMore bar than nightclub feel. Offers live music and other performances on the weekends! Fusion band is a welcome regular and will have you dancing to African and western pop, house, etc. Drinks are cheap
Parks & Nature
Prepare to have your mind blown by the Balancing Rocks of Zimbabwe, most noteworthy in Matobo Park. The formations are of natural occurrence in a perfectly balanced state without other support. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hills is an area rich in botanic diversity (over 200 species of trees), fauna (bird watchers delight!) and game (a white rhino, hyena, hippopotamus or leopard sighting can leave you both excited and weak in the knees; they were THIS close!). Campers, the Hills offers a solid 7-9 camps, most are self-catering and boast activities like game drives, horse-riding, climbing and tours to Rhodes Grave & rock art galleries. International fees USD: $15, $7.50 (6-12 yrs)
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Matopos National Park
Prepare to have your mind blown by the Balancing Rocks of Zimbabwe, most noteworthy in Matobo Park. The formations are of natural occurrence in a perfectly balanced state without other support. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hills is an area rich in botanic diversity (over 200 species of trees), fauna (bird watchers delight!) and game (a white rhino, hyena, hippopotamus or leopard sighting can leave you both excited and weak in the knees; they were THIS close!). Campers, the Hills offers a solid 7-9 camps, most are self-catering and boast activities like game drives, horse-riding, climbing and tours to Rhodes Grave & rock art galleries. International fees USD: $15, $7.50 (6-12 yrs)
Whilst not as imposing as the stone structures in Great Zimbabwe (the more famous predecessor), Khami is more picturesque and well worth a visit. A 30-minute drive from Bulawayo, Khami is a ruined city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Butua of the Torwa Dynasty. Comprised of terraced stone walls and narrow passageways, it has the longest decorated wall of its kind. Watch out for the baboons, especially if you bring a picnic. A national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can wander around the site on several walking trails to take in their architecture, enjoy bird watching (Khami Dam has the best spot)- and visit the small museum. Non-resident fees: $10-15.
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Khami Ruins
Whilst not as imposing as the stone structures in Great Zimbabwe (the more famous predecessor), Khami is more picturesque and well worth a visit. A 30-minute drive from Bulawayo, Khami is a ruined city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Butua of the Torwa Dynasty. Comprised of terraced stone walls and narrow passageways, it has the longest decorated wall of its kind. Watch out for the baboons, especially if you bring a picnic. A national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can wander around the site on several walking trails to take in their architecture, enjoy bird watching (Khami Dam has the best spot)- and visit the small museum. Non-resident fees: $10-15.
God's own Garden, this breathtaking hideaway is the place to experience nature in all its glory. The beautiful Zambezi sunset will leave you speechless. The big cat, elephant and other game sightings are astounding. From The Promise, you must travel to Victoria Falls first and then make your way to Mana. If you're traveling from Harare, the City of Kings is a perfect resting place before continuing on the next day.
Mana Pools National Park
God's own Garden, this breathtaking hideaway is the place to experience nature in all its glory. The beautiful Zambezi sunset will leave you speechless. The big cat, elephant and other game sightings are astounding. From The Promise, you must travel to Victoria Falls first and then make your way to Mana. If you're traveling from Harare, the City of Kings is a perfect resting place before continuing on the next day.
Arts & Culture
Zimbabwe's largest and best museum, the odd-looking circular building is the perfect place to tuck into the country's history, geology, animals, etc. It's definitely on a traveler's list of top ten things to do in Bulawayo. With four floors and over 7500 sights to see, we easily spent well over two hours. Grab breakfast at Indaba Cafe or lunch at the National Art Gallery Bulawayo's coffee shop before or after your visit. It's a superb museum with a vast array of offerings. Non-resident fees: $5-10 USD.
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Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe
Leopold Takawira AvenueZimbabwe's largest and best museum, the odd-looking circular building is the perfect place to tuck into the country's history, geology, animals, etc. It's definitely on a traveler's list of top ten things to do in Bulawayo. With four floors and over 7500 sights to see, we easily spent well over two hours. Grab breakfast at Indaba Cafe or lunch at the National Art Gallery Bulawayo's coffee shop before or after your visit. It's a superb museum with a vast array of offerings. Non-resident fees: $5-10 USD.
Essentials
Can find 100% butter (most groceries here- excluding Pick n Pay Bradfield- carry margarine spread w/hydrogenated oil. A wider selection of cheeses compared to most stores. That said, it is pricier than other grocery stores
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Fruit & Veg City - Food Lover's Market
Hillside RoadCan find 100% butter (most groceries here- excluding Pick n Pay Bradfield- carry margarine spread w/hydrogenated oil. A wider selection of cheeses compared to most stores. That said, it is pricier than other grocery stores
BRADFIELD location is the BEST one in town. Yes, the prices for the same goods sold in town are pricier here; however, you have a wider selection of products like cheese, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent. This location also stocks fresh (regular) milk. The meat and produce are also fresher. For parents with babies, you can find Huggies, Cuddlers and Farai diapers here, both premium and regular...most of the time.
ASCOT store is the second best location. Stocks most of the same items; however, they tend to run out sooner. For parents with babies, you can find the three best diaper brands...most of the time. Also carries fresh (regular) milk.
All Pick n Pay accept international cards.
TM Pick n Pay
Hillside RoadBRADFIELD location is the BEST one in town. Yes, the prices for the same goods sold in town are pricier here; however, you have a wider selection of products like cheese, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent. This location also stocks fresh (regular) milk. The meat and produce are also fresher. For parents with babies, you can find Huggies, Cuddlers and Farai diapers here, both premium and regular...most of the time.
ASCOT store is the second best location. Stocks most of the same items; however, they tend to run out sooner. For parents with babies, you can find the three best diaper brands...most of the time. Also carries fresh (regular) milk.
All Pick n Pay accept international cards.
Getting Around
Bulawayo doesn't have an operational bus service. This is a major road that offers cabs, combi (communal licensed taxi), and muchova (usually Honda Fits)- they're private cars that pick up multiple people (similar to Uber Pool concept without the app). Combi's are usually licensed, while muchovas vary. Rides are usually $.50/per ride and an additional $1 to be dropped off at your front door.
Hillside Road
Hillside RoadBulawayo doesn't have an operational bus service. This is a major road that offers cabs, combi (communal licensed taxi), and muchova (usually Honda Fits)- they're private cars that pick up multiple people (similar to Uber Pool concept without the app). Combi's are usually licensed, while muchovas vary. Rides are usually $.50/per ride and an additional $1 to be dropped off at your front door.