Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second city and the largest in the Matabeleland region, set on the western side of the country along the Matsheumhlope River. It grew as an industrial and railway hub, and its wide central streets and Victorian architecture were later preserved as part of a deliberate move to present the city as a heritage destination. It is also a practical base for Matobo National Park and the Khami World Heritage Site, both close to the city.
For a visitor, the city is arranged around a compact central business district, which holds the widest roads and the main commercial streets, with residential suburbs spreading out around it. Most of the accommodation described in traveller sources sits in those surrounding suburbs rather than in the CBD itself, so your choice is largely about how close you want to be to the centre versus how much space and quiet you want. This guide covers which areas make sense to base yourself in, what each is like, and how the budget, mid-range and higher-end options differ.
Best areas to stay in Bulawayo
1. Central Business District
The CBD is the heart of the city and holds the widest roads, laid out originally to accommodate ox-drawn carts. Staying here puts you within the commercial core and the main streets, which is convenient if your priority is being in the middle of things and keeping transport simple.
Accommodation in this area tends toward established city hotels rather than guesthouses or hostels. One practical point from traveller sources: at least one central hotel is described as having seen better days, with dilapidated bathrooms and shaky Wi-Fi, so it is worth checking recent reviews of any central property before booking. This area suits visitors who want to walk to the centre and do not mind older building stock.
2. Burnside
Burnside is a residential suburb roughly 5 to 6 km from the city centre, and it is where several of the traveller-oriented places to stay are found. It is easily reachable by minibus or kombi, which keeps it connected to the centre without putting you in it.
This area suits budget and mid-range travellers who want a garden setting and a quieter base while still being able to get into town cheaply. Accommodation here includes backpacker-style lodging with self-catering kitchens, dorms and camping, as well as simple double rooms with private bathrooms. The trade-off is that you rely on minibuses or your own transport to reach the centre and the sights.
3. Hillside
Hillside is a suburb about a 10-minute drive from the CBD, close to Hillside shopping centre. It is a residential area with a shopping hub nearby, so everyday needs are within reach without going into the centre.
This suits travellers who prefer a calmer, more residential base and have access to a car or are happy to take short drives. Accommodation here includes small lodges with single and double rooms, gardens and free Wi-Fi. The practical point is distance: you are not walking to the CBD, so plan on driving or arranging transport for the day's outings.
4. Malindela
Malindela is a residential suburb that appears in traveller listings as a location for backpacker-style lodging. It offers dorm beds and single or double rooms at the budget end of the market.
This area suits budget travellers and backpackers who are watching costs closely and do not need to be near the centre. Note that at least one property here does not offer Wi-Fi, so if connectivity matters to you, confirm this before booking. As with the other outer suburbs, you will depend on minibuses or taxis to reach the CBD and the museums.
5. Along Lobengula Street and 9th Avenue
This central cross-street location sits within the city's street grid, close to the commercial core. It is the most central of the budget-oriented options, putting you within walking distance of the main streets.
It suits travellers who want the lowest-cost central base and are willing to accept basic conditions. One property in this location accepts both men and women and offers breakfast as an extra, but is described in traveller sources as looking very run down. If you book here, set your expectations for simple, worn accommodation in exchange for a central position.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: backpacker hostels and lodges with dorm beds, plus simple single and double rooms, some with shared facilities, self-catering kitchens, camping space, and properties that may lack Wi-Fi or show their age. These cluster in the outer suburbs and in a few central street locations.
- Mid-range: small lodges and guesthouse-style properties offering single or double rooms, often with private bathrooms, gardens and free Wi-Fi, typically in residential suburbs a short drive from the centre.
- Splurge: established city hotels in or near the central business district, with the widest choice of room types and services, though some older properties show wear and inconsistent Wi-Fi.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Central Business District. It puts you on the city's main streets, close to the commercial core and the widest roads, which makes it the simplest starting point for getting oriented and reaching the rest of the city. From there you can take short trips out to the suburbs, Matobo National Park and the Khami World Heritage Site without committing to a residential base before you know the city.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the outer suburbs into the city centre?
Minibuses, known locally as kombis, connect the suburbs to the centre, and one Burnside property is described as easily accessible this way. Hillside is about a 10-minute drive from the CBD, so a car or taxi is more practical there.
Do budget places in Bulawayo have Wi-Fi?
It varies. Some budget properties advertise fast free Wi-Fi around the clock, while at least one backpacker lodge in Malindela has no Wi-Fi at all. Confirm before you book if you need to be online.
Can I stay centrally on a budget?
Yes. There are budget options on Lobengula Street at the corner of 9th Avenue, which accept both men and women and offer breakfast for an extra charge, though the property is described as looking very run down.
What can I see from a base in Bulawayo?
The city is close to Matobo National Park and the Khami World Heritage Site, and the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe is located in Bulawayo itself, so a central or near-central base works well for day trips.
Compare live prices for the areas above using the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.