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Bulawayo Travel Resources

Bulawayo Travel Resources

Bulawayo Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Travel Guide

Digital Resources: Essential Online Tools

Essential Apps for the Destination

  • Google Maps (Offline Maps)

    Download maps of the Bulawayo region, including Matobo Hills, for navigation without constant internet access. This proves beneficial for walking or self-driving.

  • WhatsApp

    This messaging app finds wide use in Zimbabwe for communication. Install it to easily communicate with local contacts, tour operators, and even some businesses.

  • Vaya / Hwindi

    For ride-hailing services in Bulawayo. Download these apps, but confirm their current functionality and driver availability upon arrival.

  • Google Translate

    Download Ndebele and Shona language packs for offline use. This aids with basic phrases and comprehending local signage.

Useful Websites for Additional Planning

  • Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

    For the latest official visa information and travel advisories.

  • Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks)

    For national park information, entry fees, and rules for places like Matobo Hills.

  • Airline Websites

    Check the official websites of Fastjet, Airlink, and Ethiopian Airlines for flight bookings and schedules to Bulawayo.

  • Reputable Travel Blogs/Forums

    Search for new traveler accounts on platforms like Lp forums or specific travel blogs focused on Zimbabwe. These offer practical tips and current conditions.

  • Social Media Accounts to Follow

    Search for official social media accounts of local tourism organizations (e.g., Bulawayo Publicity Association), prominent regional arts centers (e.g., Amakhosi Cultural Centre), or local news outlets on platforms like Using facebook for event updates and local insights.

Podcasts and Digital Content About the Destination

Podcasts

Search for podcasts on Zimbabwean history, culture, or travel.

Digital Content

Consider watching films that explore the country's past and present for visual narratives that bring the country to life before your arrival.

Music & Art

Listen to Zimbabwean music and explore Zimbabwean art online to recognize and appreciate local artistic traditions.

Emergency & Medical Information: Staying Safe and Prepared

Emergency Numbers and Contacts

  • Police: 993 (Note: These public emergency numbers can prove unreliable due to system limitations. It often proves more effective to go to the nearest police station or ask your accommodation for assistance with specific local police contacts.)
  • Fire: 994
  • Ambulance: 995 (for public ambulance service, which can be slow and less equipped).
  • Private Ambulance Services: Ask your lodging for recommended private medical emergency numbers (e.g., MARS - Medical Air Rescue Services). These services present quicker response times and better-equipped vehicles.

Hospital and Clinic Locations

  • Mater Dei Hospital: This private hospital generally offers the best healthcare in Bulawayo, with better facilities and staff.
  • United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH): This public hospital.
  • Private clinics: Several private clinics operate around the city, capable of handling non-emergency medical issues.

Further Reading & Exploration: Deepening Your Zimbabwean Connection

Documentaries and Films

  • Search for documentaries on Zimbabwean history, wildlife (e.g., focusing on Hwange's elephants), or cultural heritage. These visual narratives bring the country to life before your arrival.

Music and Art

  • Listen to Zimbabwean music. Artists like Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi are iconic.
  • Explore Zimbabwean art online, especially Shona sculpture. This enables recognition and appreciation of local artistic traditions.

Online Communities and Forums

  • Join relevant Facebook groups for Zimbabwe travel or online expatriate communities. These forums often present real-time advice and current traveler experiences.

Print Resources: Guidebooks and Literature

Recommended Guidebooks and Maps

Bradt Travel Guide: Zimbabwe

  • This guidebook holds high regard for its in-depth coverage of Zimbabwe, including detailed sections on Bulawayo and Matabeleland.
  • It has extensive practical information, cultural insights, and historical context.
  • Find on Amazon

Local Maps of Bulawayo

  • Look for detailed city maps upon arrival, sometimes available at hotels, bookshops, or the tourist office centers.
  • A physical map complements digital navigation.

Books About the Destination History, Culture, Fiction

Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

  • A significant Zimbabwean novel yielding deep cultural insight into post-colonial Zimbabwe.

The Stone Virgins by Yvonne Vera

  • Set in Matabeleland, this novel offers a powerful and moving historical perspective on the region.

Local Publications Worth Picking Up

The Chronicle

  • Bulawayo's local daily newspaper.

Leisure/Entertainment Listings

  • If any local free publications are available, check them for event listings, concert schedules, or cultural happenings during your visit.

Embassy and Consulate Information

U.S. Citizens

  1. U.S. Embassy in Harare: +26A SCORE of 3-242 250593.
  2. Contact your country''s foreign office in Harare (Zimbabwe's capital) for help from your consulate, lost passport issues, or emergency support.
  3. Keep their contact details saved.

U.K. Citizens

  1. U.K. Embassy in Harare: +263 242 858500.
  2. Contact your country's embassy or consulate in Harare (Zimbabwe's capital) for help from your consulate, lost passport issues, or emergency support.
  3. Keep their contact details saved.

Lost Document Procedures

Report Loss/Theft

Report any lost or stolen documents (e.g., passport, credit cards) to the nearest police station immediately. Obtain a police report; this is for insurance claims and replacement documents.

Contact Embassy/Consulate

Contact your embassy or consulate if you need emergency travel documents. They guide you through the process.

Important Note

Download offline maps of Bulawayo and Matobo Hills on your phone. This enables navigation without internet reliance, which may be inconsistent.

Further Reading & Exploration: Deepening Your Zimbabwean Connection

Documentaries and Films About the Destination

Visual Narratives

  • Documentary Search

    Search for documentaries on Zimbabwean history, wildlife (e.g., focusing on Hwange's elephants), or cultural heritage.

  • Country Immersion

    These visual narratives bring the country to life before your arrival. Consider films that explore the country's past and present.

Music and Art to Experience

  • Zimbabwean Music Icons

    Listen to Zimbabwean music. Artists like Thomas Mapfumo (the "Lion of Zimbabwe" known for Chimurenga music) and Oliver Mtukudzi (known for his unique blend of traditional and modern styles, "Tuku Music") are iconic.

  • Artistic Traditions

    Explore Zimbabwean art online, especially Shona sculpture, renowned internationally. This aids recognition and appreciation of local artistic traditions upon encountering them.

Online Communities and Forums for Travelers

Facebook Groups

Join relevant Facebook groups for Zimbabwe travel or online expatriate communities in Zimbabwe. These forums often present real-time advice.

Specific Questions

Online communities and forums address specific questions travelers may have regarding their trip to Bulawayo and Zimbabwe.

Traveler Experiences

These platforms facilitate sharing of current traveler experiences, offering recent perspectives and information.

Language Learning Resources

Online Apps & Tutorials

  • Utilize online apps (like Duolingo, if available for basic Ndebele/Shona) or YouTube tutorials for pronunciation guides.
  • Even learning a few basic words can make a difference in your interactions.

Connecting with Locals

  • Language learning can deepen your connection with locals.
  • Basic greetings in Ndebele or Shona are highly appreciated.

Natural Disaster Protocols

Severe Weather Events

  • In case of severe weather events (e.g., heavy rain leading to flash floods), follow local authority advice.
  • Stay indoors, avoid driving through flooded areas, and seek higher ground if in a low-lying area.
  • Your accommodation will serve as the main source of local guidance and updates.

Consular Assistance

  • Contact your own country's embassy or consulate in Harare (Zimbabwe's capital) for consular assistance, lost passport issues, or emergency support.
  • Keep their contact details saved and readily accessible.

Emergency Contacts

Store the contact details for your private travel insurance emergency line and your country's embassy in Harare on your phone. Maintain a physical copy in your wallet too.

Bulawayo Travel Resources. Apps, Maps, Emergency Contacts