Holiday Inn Bulawayo ÁREA LOCAL

The Matopos National Park is less than 60km south of Bulawayo, and easily reached from there on a good tarred road. The area is a World Heritage site, and famous for its balancing granite rocks. Baboons and monkeys are frequent sights, and it has the largest concentration of leopard in the country. However these animals are secretive and rarely seen. Ideal also for bird watching as the area has a lot of them.

Situated on the main Gwanda Road, 23km east of Bulawayo, Chipangali provides a home for orphaned, sick or abandoned wild animals. There are lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhino, and many species of antelope and large collection of birds. Open daily except Mondays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, from 10a.m. – 5p.m. Refreshment are available. There is an entrance charge of USD 4.00.

Leopold Takawira Avenue. Officially opened in 1964, the museum contains some superb and unique displays, with exhibits illustrating the history, mineral wealth and wildlife of Zimbabwe, including the second-largest mounted elephant in the world. Open daily and on public holidays (except Christmas Day and Good Friday) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Refreshments available. Entrance charge in foreign currency for visitors: USD 10; local visitors: USD 5.

The Khami Ruins were a development of the architectural form that emerged at Great Zimbabwe in the 13th century AD. The site of Khami reveals seven built-up areas occupied by the royal family, with open areas in the valley occupied by the commoners. The ruins include a Royal Enclosure, or Hill Complex, which is situated on higher ground than the other buildings, as well as stone walls, hut platforms, and a Christian cross believed to have been placed by a contemporary missionary.

The gallery complex contains a curio shop, restaurant and artists' studios. The gallery is located in Douslin House, along Main Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue. The entrance charge is USD 5 for adults and USD 2.50 for children. Operating times are Tuesday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.

20 km south of the city on Hillside Road, which continues as Burnside Road, then Douglasdale Road, past Criterion Water Works, turning right onto Criterion Mine Road for 6 km. Established by King Lobengula in 1870, where he lived until 1881. Archeological prospecting of Old Bulawayo and the nearby Jesuit Mission is being undertaken by the National Museums and Monuments. Reconstruction is underway but visitors are welcome.