Bulawayo: Discover Culture and Natural History

Bulawayo can be explored through several specific themes for a trip: railway history, art, geology and wildlife care. If you are looking for a hotel in Bulawayo, it may help to first consider these areas of interest. The sites present their themes in different ways: the National Railways Museum preserves handwritten historical documents, the National Art Gallery is housed in a Victorian-era building, and the geology gallery at the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe includes a walk-through mine. The Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage adds another thematic option outside the city centre.

Railway history at the National Railways Museum

The National Railways Museum in Bulawayo was founded in 1972. Its collection includes well-preserved handwritten documents about the planned railway network from Cape Town to Cairo, as well as the day-to-day operations of the early railways. This brings two perspectives together: far-reaching network planning and the everyday work of the early railways. The collection combines the perspective of a long-term plan with that of practical operations. This offers a clearly defined focus for your trip: a planned network from Cape Town to Cairo and the workings of the early railways.

Art and architecture at the National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery in Bulawayo is housed in a Victorian-era building. Art and the period in which the building was constructed come together in the character of this site. If you would like to combine an interest in art with one in architecture, you can include the gallery as a distinct focus in your trip plans. Its architectural connection sets it apart thematically from the railway documents at the National Railways Museum and the geological focus of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe.

Geology and museum offerings

At the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, the geological focus is in its geology gallery. It includes a walk-through mine that evokes a real gold mine. Unlike the handwritten documents at the National Railways Museum, the format itself is part of how the subject is presented here: visitors can walk through the mine, which evokes a gold mine. The museum also offers guided tours, occasional talks and nature conservation clubs. If these offerings are important to your trip plans, check the arrangements before your visit.

The museums’ profiles offer a clear distinction when choosing a theme: the National Railways Museum preserves written records of railway history, while the geology gallery includes a walk-through exhibit. The National Art Gallery connects its focus on art with a Victorian-era building. This makes it easier to distinguish the different themes than the general label of culture alone would allow.

Wildlife care in the surrounding area

The Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage is 25 km from Bulawayo city centre. It provides a home for orphaned, abandoned and sick wild animals. This wildlife-focused destination is geographically separate from the facilities mentioned in Bulawayo and differs in subject from their museum and art themes. Take the distance into account when planning your trip if you would like to visit the orphanage alongside the city’s cultural sites.

Discover more destinations: Victoria Falls, Nyanga, Marondera, Masvingo, Redcliff, Mashava, Hwange, Harare.

For the overall travel overview: Zimbabwe.