Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second-largest city and is known for its wide streets, colonial architecture and relaxed pace. It serves as a gateway to several important attractions, including national parks and historical sites. The city also has museums that offer insight into Zimbabwe's cultural and railway history.
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Zimbabwe things to see and do
Bulawayo
Eastern Highlands
The Eastern Highlands, near the border with Mozambique, offer a cooler climate, rolling hills and scenic mountain landscapes. This region is ideal for hiking, exploring waterfalls and visiting tea estates. Towns such as Mutare provide a base for discovering the area's natural beauty and quieter pace of life.
Gonarezhou National Park
Located in the south-east of the country, Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe's second-largest national park and part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Known as the "Place of Elephants", it features dramatic sandstone cliffs, baobab trees and remote landscapes. Less visited than Hwange, it offers a more secluded safari experience with sightings of elephants, lions and antelope.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument
Near the town of Masvingo lie the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the remains of a powerful medieval African city that gave the country its name. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, the stone structures are the largest of their kind in sub-Saharan Africa. Visiting the site offers insight into early urban civilisation and trade networks in southern Africa.
Harare
Zimbabwe's capital is a green, spacious city set on a high plateau. Harare offers a mix of cultural attractions, markets, galleries and botanical gardens, along with a growing café and restaurant scene. Nearby nature reserves and lakes provide easy escapes from the city and offer opportunities for walking and birdwatching.
Hwange National Park
Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park and one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations. It is particularly known for its large elephant population, as well as lions, giraffes, buffalo and a wide range of birdlife. The park's waterholes attract animals throughout the dry season, making game viewing especially rewarding between May and October.
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba is one of the world's largest man-made lakes and stretches along Zimbabwe's northern border. It is popular for fishing, boat cruises and wildlife viewing along its shores. Houseboat stays are a distinctive way to experience the lake, combining relaxation with sightings of animals that gather at the water's edge.
Mana Pools National Park
Set along the lower Zambezi River, Mana Pools is one of Zimbabwe's most celebrated wilderness areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its walking safaris and canoeing experiences, offering close encounters with elephants, hippos and a wide range of birdlife. The park's floodplains and riverine forests create an untamed atmosphere that appeals to experienced safari-goers.
Matobo Hills
Located south of Bulawayo, the Matobo Hills are a striking landscape of granite kopjes and valleys. The area is rich in rock art, ancient sites and wildlife, including rhinos. It is also the burial place of Cecil Rhodes. The combination of history, scenery and biodiversity makes it one of Zimbabwe's most distinctive regions.
Matusadona National Park
Situated along the southern shore of Lake Kariba, Matusadona combines rugged escarpments with lakeside scenery. The park supports populations of elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards, and is especially scenic at sunrise and sunset. Boat-based game viewing from the lake adds variety to traditional safari drives.
Victoria Falls
One of the world's largest and most powerful waterfalls, Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe's most famous attraction. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "The Smoke That Thunders", the falls stretch across the Zambezi River and plunge into a narrow gorge below. Visitors can explore well-maintained walking trails or take part in activities such as river cruises, helicopter flights and white-water rafting.
Zambezi National Park
Just upstream from Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park offers an easily accessible safari experience close to town. The park is divided into riverine and plateau sections, supporting elephants, buffalo, antelope and predators. Game drives and river cruises allow visitors to combine wildlife viewing with their visit to the falls.
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