Have you explored Bulawayo?

May 29, 2025

Bulawayo. The city that holds the soul of southern Zimbabwe and the one that carries the memory of a different time. It’s one of those cities that reveals itself slowly. The stories told, the grandeur of its architecture, the shade of its jacaranda-lined streets and the pride of its people (the ancient and the new). All of it feels deeply rooted. While it’s not been widely celebrated as a tourism destination, for those who make the time to look closer, Bulawayo is a gateway to some of Zimbabwe’s most enduring treasures.

Start in the heart of the city. The Natural History Museum…
Step inside this grand colonial-era building which holds one of the best curated collections on wildlife, geology and anthropology of Southern Africa as a region. Time seems to pause here. Typically, you’ll see children staring wide-eyed at the towering elephant display and researchers lingering over fossil records tucked into quiet corners. This is when you’ll also find yourself lost in thought, tracing the timeline of life on this continent. Because that’s the effect it has on those who slow down long enough to take it all in.

Then there’s the Railway Museum…
This is a tribute to a different era, where you can climb aboard old steam locomotives and trace the iron veins that helped build the region’s economy. The unpolished displays, the scent of oil and iron, the faded timetables pinned to the walls…it feels honest, preserved rather than packaged.

Step outside the city and the landscape begins to shift. Matobo National Park…
Just under an hour away, it’s where the balancing granite kopjes rise like ancient sentinels from the earth. It’s a sacred place and you feel that too. The silence out there is full of presence. Hike up to the top of one of the hills and you’ll understand why the Matabele kings chose this as their spiritual home. Visit the grave site of Cecil John Rhodes or go looking for ancient San rock art hidden in the caves. The park is also remarkably home to rhinos. 

A guided walking safari in Matobo is one of the most intimate ways to experience wildlife and dramatic landscapes in Zimbabwe. Bring some water, sunscreen, a hat and if you have one, a pair of binoculars. You’ll want to linger, look closer and take it all in.

It’s difficult to encapsulate the various experiences that await in and around Bulawayo - and perhaps its real treasure is in the diversity of experiences. From Hillside Dams to the National Gallery or the long established Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage.. There's also the experience of golfing at the local golf course, or archeological discovery for those who venture to Khami ruins..

Ah, and we can’t mention Bulawayo without remembering the mystical Nesbitt Castle.. So many elements, so much culture and such incredible landscapes are all just within reach of the city.

So, when planning a trip, don’t rush and move on. Stay a while and spend your days exploring and your evenings in the quiet comfort of Gwango Tamarillo Estate. It’s a place well situated for travellers who want to experience something new and very different.. without being right in the middle of the city.