Cost of Living in Bulawayo
How much does it cost to visit Bulawayo? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Jared Rice / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
ZWL 800
per day
Weekly: ZWL 5600
Monthly: ZWL 24000
Examples
- 🏨Peace Guest House dorm bedZWL 150
- 🍽️Street food from local vendors (e.g. sadza and relish)ZWL 100
- 🚌Local bus (combis) travel around the cityZWL 50
- 🎟️Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery (entry fee)ZWL 100
- 🎟️Explore Centenary Park and the Bulawayo Main Street on footZWL 0
- 🍽️Dinner at a local eatery like The Coffee ShopZWL 150
- 🚌Short taxi ride for convenienceZWL 50
- 🎟️Browse the craft markets for souvenirsZWL 100
- 🎟️Visit the Zimbabwe Ruins (Matopo National Park entry fee)ZWL 100
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
ZWL 1500
per day
Weekly: ZWL 10500
Monthly: ZWL 45000
Examples
- 🏨Travellers Lodge standard roomZWL 400
- 🍽️Breakfast at the lodge or a local cafeZWL 150
- 🚌Hired car for Matopos trip with driver for the dayZWL 300
- 🎟️Guided tour of Matobo National Park (including rock art sites and rhino tracking)ZWL 400
- 🍽️Lunch at a restaurant in Matopos or picnicZWL 200
- 🍽️Dinner at a mid-range restaurant like The Nite TrainZWL 300
- 🎟️Visit the Khami Ruins National MonumentZWL 100
- 🚌Taxis for city explorationZWL 50
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
ZWL 3500
per day
Weekly: ZWL 24500
Monthly: ZWL 105000
Examples
- 🏨Bulawayo Club boutique hotel roomZWL 1500
- 🍽️Gourmet breakfast at the Bulawayo ClubZWL 300
- 🚌Private chauffeur driven vehicle for the dayZWL 800
- 🎟️Full day private guided tour of Matobo National Park with expert guideZWL 1000
- 🍽️Fine dining lunch at a restaurant with scenic views in MatoposZWL 500
- 🎟️Visit the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage with private guideZWL 300
- 🍽️Exquisite dinner at a top restaurant like The CattlemanZWL 700
- 🎟️Evening sundowner drinks at a premium barZWL 200
Cost by Category
accommodation
200-800 ZWL
food
300-700 ZWL
Transport
100-300 ZWL
activities
200-700 ZWL
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Center | Mid-range | Average | first-timers, culture |
| Hillside | Luxury | Higher | families, couples |
| Suburbs (e.g., Famona, North End) | Budget | Lower | families, budget |
Money-Saving Tips for Bulawayo
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
Find the best hotel deals in Bulawayo
Compare prices from ZWL 800/night across thousands of hotels.
We earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Found your hotel in Bulawayo?
We search 30+ sites including members-only platforms like Secret Escapes and Voyage Privé. Most people save 14-23%.
FAQ: Bulawayo Costs
How much does it cost to visit Bulawayo?
Budget travellers can visit Bulawayo for around ZWL 800/day (ZWL 5600/week). Mid-range travellers should budget ZWL 1500/day, while luxury travel costs around ZWL 3500/day.
Is Bulawayo expensive?
Bulawayo is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least ZWL 800/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Bulawayo?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Bulawayo, budget ZWL 1500/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Bulawayo?
Budget travellers in Bulawayo can get by on ZWL 800/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.