Food and Drink
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Indaba Book Cafe offers the best plant-based wraps and salads.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Haefelis (Fife St) - Famous for Swiss-style pastries and cakes.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- City Center markets and OK Zimbabwe Supermarkets.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Ownai (Classifieds) and Fresh in a Box (for groceries).
- Grocery Delivery
- Spar Zimbabwe Online or Fresh in a Box.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bradfield Shopping Centre area and the City Center (Horizon Pub).
- Local Brewery
- Ingwebu Breweries (Traditional Sorghum Beer).
- Wine Bars
- The Bulawayo Club (High-end historic setting).
- Street Food Stalls
- Chicken Inn (Local fast food legend) and street maize vendors ($0.50).
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Smokehouse (Steaks/BBQ) and Asian Quarter for Indian cuisine.
- Best Food Delivery App
- Munch Zimbabwe (Very reliable in Bulawayo).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sadza served with Mogodu (Tripe) or Mazondo (Beef trotters).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Matobo National Park (UNESCO Site) and Natural History Museum.
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo (Joshua Nkomo St).
- Historical Sites
- Khami Ruins (15th-century stone city ruins nearby).
- Religious Sites
- St. Mary's Cathedral (Minor Basilica).
- Annual Events
- Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in April.
- Cultural Districts
- Makokoba (The oldest township, rich in history).
- Theater Venues
- Bulawayo Theatre (Near Centenary Park).
- Local Markets
- Maue Market for traditional crafts and beadwork.
- Music Scene
- Bluez Cafe for live local jazz and acoustic sets.
- Street Art
- Various murals around the National Gallery district.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the National Gallery's cafe.
- Art Galleries
- Amagugu Heritage Centre (Outside the city).
- Historic Buildings
- The Exchange Bar (where Cecil Rhodes once drank).
- Local Heritage
- Ndebele culture influences, highlighted at the Amagugu Heritage Centre.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Matobo Hills (45 mins drive) - Granite boulders and rhinos.
- National Parks Nearby
- Matobo National Park and Hwange National Park (3 hours drive).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Centenary Park and the trails within Hillside Dams Conservatory.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- World's View (Malindidzimu) in Matobo Hills.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Hillside Dams Conservatory.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Dedicated braai (BBQ) areas at Hillside Dams.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Bulawayo and ZimPost.
- Tech Repair Services
- Solution Centre (Authorized Apple and PC repairs).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC).
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française de Bulawayo (French) and local Ndebele tutors.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bulawayo Public Library (Enock Dumbutshena St).
- Community Centers
- Bulawayo Club and YMCA.
- Gaming Lounges
- Small private gaming cafes in the CBD.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The Regency Casino at the Churchill Hotel.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $24,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $550 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $33,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $40,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 24.72% (including 3% AIDS Levy)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% to 15% depending on residency
- Tax System
- Source-based tax system
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (plus 3% AIDS Levy)
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but general anti-avoidance rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Municipality rates based on land value and improvements.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Capital Gains Tax (5% for houses bought after 2009) and Stamp Duty (approx 1-4%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard business/tourist rules apply. Most work in a legal 'gray area' on tourist visas.
Essentials
- City
- Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
- Population
- Approximately 653,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-25 Mbps (Fiber available via Liquid Home and TelOne)
- Currency & Banking
- Multi-currency system: Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and USD widely used. 1 USD ≈ 13.5 ZiG (official rate varies)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water (e.g., Schweppes or ZLG)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British) sockets. Note: Load shedding is frequent; backup power is essential.
- SIM Card
- Econet Wireless (Best coverage), NetOne, and Telecel. A 10GB monthly bundle costs approx. $25 USD.
- Banking for Expats
- Stanbic Bank, CABS, and EcoCash (Mobile Money) are most reliable for residents.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and Airbnb are standard; expect $40-$80/night for quality stays.
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless via EcoCash and Swipe (local cards), but USD cash is king for international travelers.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like Bulawayo Real Estate offer short-term options.
- Budget Accommodation
- Burke's Paradise ($20-$30/night) in Matsheumhlope.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Suburbs or Hillside (Safe, leafy, close to attractions).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Suburbs or Ascot (Reliable infrastructure and quieter environment).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- TechVillage (8th Floor, Fidelity Life Centre). Daily rates approx. $10 USD.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Indaba Book Cafe (9th Ave & Josiah Tongogara St) - Great vibe and decent Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- TechVillage Community Meetups and British Council hub events.
- Social Events for Expats
- Bulawayo Club and various Charity Quiz nights advertised on local Facebook groups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- InDrive (Widely used) and Hwindi.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not common; private car hire (e.g., Europcar Bulawayo) is preferred.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Landlocked; Lake Matopos (40km away) offers water views but no beach.
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet (Connects to Harare and Johannesburg).
- Top International Airline
- Ethiopian Airlines and Airlink.
- Highway Access
- A16 to Victoria Falls, A7 to Plumtree (Botswana border), and A8 to Harare.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Bulawayo Railway Station (Historical hub for NRZ).
- Public Transport Passes
- None; cash-based 'Kombis' (mini-buses) cost approx $0.50-$1.00 per trip.
- Regional Travel
- Inter-city buses like Intercape or Pathfinder to Harare or Vic Falls.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Mater Dei Hospital (Stephenson Rd) - Private and high quality.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Space (Suburbs) offers yoga and wellness workshops.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Body Works Gym (Parkade Centre) - Approx. $40 USD monthly membership.
- Laundry Services
- Sparkle Dry Cleaners (Fife St) - Reliable professional cleaning.