Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Located in Matabelaland, on the southeastern part of the country, it covers 129.3 sq km (49.9 sq mi) and has a population approaching two million people (2012 estimate). Bulawayo is 439 km southwest of Harare.

Bulawayo was founded around 1840 by the Ndebele king Mzilikazi kaMatshobana when the Ndebele people arrived there from Zululand. As with the rest of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo suffered from severe economic crisis under the government of Robert Mugabe. It is no wonder that today the city is a stronghold of the Opposition. It suffers from various problems including lack of investment and high unemployment.

Bulawayo does not have much in terms of tourist sights. An unlikely attraction is Nesbitt Castle, a mansion built by the eccentric Theodore Holdengarde in 1905. It was bought over and restored by the Nesbitt family in 1988, hence its present name.

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulavayo_22032005.jpg
Author: Radozw

Visiting Bulawayo

You can reach Bulawayo by train from Victoria Falls. The journey takes 18 hours and costs US$12 first class.

Nesbitt Castle, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nesbittcastle2.jpg
Author: Leenesbitt

Places of Interest in Bulawayo

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