🇿🇼 Flights to Bulawayo
Cheap Flights to Bulawayo from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ). Dream Fare specialises in Zimbabwe routes with the best prices for Bulawayo — Zimbabwe’s second city and the gateway to Matobo Hills, Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls.
Airlines to Bulawayo
Best Routes London to Bulawayo
Bulawayo is best reached via Johannesburg or Harare. Dream Fare compares every routing to find your most convenient and cost-effective option.
Baggage Allowances — London to Bulawayo
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| South African Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Bulawayo & Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has a subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Bulawayo is 2 hours ahead of GMT. The dry season is the best time for wildlife and sightseeing.
Peak Dry Season
May — October
The best time to visit Zimbabwe. Dry, sunny and mild (15°C to 26°C). Best for Hwange safaris as animals gather at waterholes. Matobo Hills rhino tracking is excellent. Victoria Falls is lower but dramatic. Book ahead.
Start of Rains
Nov — December
The first rains arrive in November. Hwange is green and lush. Victoria Falls water levels begin to rise. Temperatures increase (25°C to 32°C). Competitive fares outside Christmas. Some roads become muddy.
Wet Season
Jan — March
Zimbabwe’s full rainy season. Daily afternoon downpours but usually clear mornings. Victoria Falls is at maximum volume (February to April) — spectacular. Lowest fares of the year. Lush and green landscapes.
Shoulder Season
April — May
The rains ease and Zimbabwe begins to dry out. Victoria Falls still impressive. Game viewing improving as vegetation thins. Excellent value fares before the peak dry season. April to May is arguably the most beautiful month.
About Bulawayo
Bulawayo — Zimbabwe’s City of Kings
Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and its industrial and cultural heart. Known as iKhosi — the City of Kings — it is the heartland of the proud Ndebele people and home to some of Zimbabwe’s finest colonial architecture, museums and natural attractions. A relaxed, spacious city with wide tree-lined streets and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
🧗
Matobo Hills (UNESCO)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary ancient granite kopjes rising dramatically from the plains south of Bulawayo. The Matobo Hills contain over 3,500 San rock paintings — one of the highest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in the world. Cecil Rhodes is buried at World’s View — a dramatic granite summit with panoramic views across the ancient landscape.
🦏
Matobo Rhino Tracking
The Matobo Hills are one of the best places in Africa to track both black and white rhinos on foot. Guided rhino tracking walks in Matobo National Park put you within metres of these magnificent animals in a dramatic boulder-strewn landscape. One of southern Africa’s most extraordinary and intimate wildlife experiences.
🦍
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park and one of Africa’s finest elephant destinations — home to over 40,000 elephants, lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, sable antelope and extraordinary birdlife. Hwange is 3 hours from Bulawayo by road and served by a small airstrip. The remote camps and walking safaris are among the finest in southern Africa.
🏛️
Natural History Museum
One of Africa’s finest natural history museums with outstanding collections covering Zimbabwe’s wildlife, geology, human history and cultural heritage. The museum’s elephant skeleton — one of the largest ever recorded — the extraordinary geology gallery and the life-size wildlife dioramas make this a genuinely world-class institution.
🏙️
Bulawayo Architecture
Bulawayo has some of Zimbabwe’s finest colonial-era architecture — wide boulevards originally designed so ox wagons could turn in a full circle, beautiful 1890s and Art Deco buildings, the City Hall, the railway station and the Bulawayo Club. The Bulawayo Railway Museum — housing the locomotive that pulled Cecil Rhodes’ funeral train — is fascinating.
🏛️
Khami Ruins (UNESCO)
A second UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bulawayo — the Khami Ruins are the remains of the ancient Torwa Kingdom capital built after the fall of Great Zimbabwe in the 15th century. The stone-walled terraces, platforms and passageways set in a beautiful valley are one of Zimbabwe’s most atmospheric historical sites.
Top Places to Visit Around Bulawayo
Matobo National Park
Just 35km south of Bulawayo — the Matobo Hills are an extraordinary landscape of ancient granite boulders, San rock art and remarkable wildlife. The park has the highest density of leopards in Zimbabwe, black and white rhinos, sable antelope, brown hyenas and over 400 bird species. The Cecil Rhodes grave at World’s View offers extraordinary panoramic views.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park is 3 hours from Bulawayo. Hwange has Africa’s largest elephant population outside Botswana — herds of hundreds regularly come to the artificial waterholes near Main Camp. The Big Five, wild dogs and over 400 bird species make Hwange one of southern Africa’s finest safari destinations.
Victoria Falls
Bulawayo is approximately 4 hours by road or a short domestic flight from Victoria Falls — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The falls are at their most dramatic from February to May when water volumes are highest. Bungee jumping, white water rafting, sunset cruises and elephant encounters are all available.
Khami Ruins (UNESCO)
15km west of Bulawayo — the Khami Ruins are the remains of the ancient Torwa Kingdom capital. The stone terraces and platforms set in a beautiful wooded valley are less visited than Great Zimbabwe but equally atmospheric. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that most visitors to Bulawayo overlook entirely.
Cyrene Mission
A remarkable Anglican mission 35km from Bulawayo famous for its extraordinary church decorated with naive paintings depicting biblical scenes in an African context. Created by mission students in the 1940s under the direction of Canon Edward Paterson, the Cyrene paintings are unique in African religious art.
Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage
A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre 24km from Bulawayo caring for orphaned and injured wild animals. Visitors can see lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, genets, servals and many bird species at close range. An excellent family attraction and important conservation project.
Travel Tips
Bulawayo Travel Guide
🛂
Visa for Zimbabwe
UK citizens require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. A KAZA UniVisa ($50 USD) covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia and is excellent value for visitors planning to see Victoria Falls from both sides. Apply on arrival at Bulawayo Airport or at the border. An online e-visa is also available at evisa.gov.zw before travel.
💱
Currency in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe uses the US Dollar (USD) as its primary currency alongside the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). USD cash is widely accepted and strongly preferred. Cards are accepted in major hotels and supermarkets. Bring enough USD cash as ATM availability can be unreliable. UK pounds can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change.
🚕
Getting Around Bulawayo
Bulawayo is a compact city and easy to navigate. Taxis and private hire vehicles are the safest transport option. Uber is not available — ask your hotel to arrange a trusted local taxi driver. Car hire is available at the airport for self-drive to Matobo and Hwange. Drive on the left — same as the UK.
📱
SIM Cards & Data
Econet Wireless is Zimbabwe’s leading network with the best coverage. SIM cards are available at the airport and in the city. 4G coverage is good in Bulawayo city centre but patchy in Matobo Hills and Hwange. Download offline maps before leaving the city. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels.
🌡️
Weather in Bulawayo
Bulawayo has a pleasant subtropical climate. The dry season (May to October) brings warm sunny days (18°C to 26°C) and cool nights (8°C to 12°C) — bring a warm layer for evenings. The wet season (November to April) is hotter (25°C to 32°C) with afternoon thunderstorms that rarely last all day.
🔒
Safety in Bulawayo
Bulawayo is one of the safer cities in Zimbabwe — relaxed, spacious and with a generally low crime rate. Standard city precautions apply — avoid displaying valuables, use trusted transport and stay aware of your surroundings at night. The Ndebele people are known for their warmth and hospitality to visitors.
Flights to Bulawayo FAQ
How do I fly from London to Bulawayo?
The most convenient routing is via Johannesburg with South African Airways or connecting carriers. Alternatively fly to Harare via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) or Dubai (Emirates) and take a short domestic flight or road transfer to Bulawayo. Dream Fare will find the most convenient and cost-effective option for your travel dates.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Bulawayo?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Zimbabwe. The KAZA UniVisa ($50 USD) covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia and is excellent value for visitors planning to see Victoria Falls. Apply on arrival at Bulawayo Airport or online at evisa.gov.zw before departure.
How far is Bulawayo from Victoria Falls?
Bulawayo is approximately 440km from Victoria Falls — about 4 hours by road on a good tarmac highway or a short 1-hour domestic flight. Many visitors to Bulawayo combine their trip with a 2 to 3 night stay at Victoria Falls. Dream Fare can book the complete Zimbabwe itinerary.
What is Bulawayo famous for?
Bulawayo is famous for the Matobo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site with rhino tracking and San rock art), Hwange National Park (Africa’s finest elephant destination), the Natural History Museum (one of Africa’s best), the Khami Ruins (UNESCO) and its extraordinary colonial architecture and Ndebele cultural heritage.
What is the best time to visit Bulawayo?
May to October is the best time to visit — dry, sunny and excellent for game viewing in Hwange and rhino tracking in Matobo. February to April has the highest Victoria Falls water levels if seeing the falls at full volume is a priority. November and December are hot with the first rains arriving.
How much do return flights from London to Bulawayo cost?
Return flights from London to Bulawayo start from approximately £519 with Dream Fare. Prices vary by routing, airline and travel dates. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and Zimbabwe travel packages.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.