Overview
Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second city and the gateway to the country's southern highlights, from the balancing granite rocks of Matobo to the game-rich plains of Hwange. It's an unhurried place of wide jacaranda-lined avenues, handsome colonial buildings and a proud railway heritage. There are no direct flights to Bulawayo from the UK, so every routing involves at least one connection, but the city is well linked to Johannesburg and makes a calm, welcoming arrival point for a Zimbabwean safari. A little flexibility on dates and hubs is the key to cheap flights to Bulawayo.
Best time to fly to Bulawayo
Bulawayo sits on the highveld, so its climate is milder than many expect. The dry season from May to October brings warm, clear days and cold nights, and is the prime window for game viewing in nearby Hwange and Matobo. This is also the busiest and priciest period, especially the UK school holidays in July and August. The rains fall between November and March, when the bush turns green and birdlife peaks. April, September and October are pleasant shoulder months with thinner crowds and better value — check the When to book chart above to see how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies non-stop from the UK to Bulawayo. The most common route is a long-haul flight from London to Johannesburg with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic (roughly 11 hours), then a short hop to Bulawayo with Airlink (about 1 hour 15 minutes). One-stop alternatives route through Africa and the Gulf with carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways, often connecting via Harare or Victoria Falls with an onward domestic flight. Allowing for the connection, expect a total journey of around 16 to 20 hours.
Things to do in Bulawayo
The city rewards a day or two before you head into the national parks.
- Matobo National Park: UNESCO-listed granite hills, ancient San rock art and some of the best rhino tracking in Zimbabwe.
- Natural History Museum: one of the finest museums in the region, with vast wildlife, geology and history collections.
- Khami Ruins: a World Heritage Site of terraced dry-stone walls, once the capital of the Torwa state.
- Bulawayo Railway Museum: vintage steam locomotives and carriages that tell the story of the city's founding.
- Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage: a long-running sanctuary caring for orphaned and injured animals just outside town.
At Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ)
Bulawayo's airport lies about 22 km north of the centre, along the road towards Victoria Falls, and the drive takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes. There is no scheduled public transport, so arrange a hotel transfer in advance or take a metered taxi from the rank outside arrivals. Car hire desks are available if you plan to self-drive to Matobo or Hwange, and the roads to the main sights are generally good.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Bulawayo
- Book the long-haul leg two to three months ahead, and earlier still for July, August and the Christmas period.
- Fly midweek where you can — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Compare booking Johannesburg plus the Airlink connection together against flying into Harare or Victoria Falls and travelling on from there.
- Use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest weeks, and keep your dates flexible by a few days either side.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Zimbabwe. You can apply in advance through the official e-visa portal or buy a single-entry visa on arrival at the airport, payable in US dollars — bring the exact amount in clean notes. Your passport should be valid for at least six months with a blank page. The US dollar is the practical day-to-day currency, so carry small denominations as change can be scarce, and don't rely on cards outside larger hotels. No vaccinations are required for direct arrivals from the UK, but antimalarials are usually advised if you continue to Hwange or the Zambezi valley — check the latest NHS TravelHealthPro guidance before you travel.
