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Matobo National Park

(formerly Matopos) - This area southwest of Bulawayo in Matabeleland boasts exquisite rock formations, as if nature had been playing marbles. Rocks are found balancing in ways that defy logic, a situation created by the eroding winds blowing out the sand between. The rocks are home to the dassie, a small rodent-type animal known more formally as Rock Hyrax, the skins of which are used to make a blanket treasured amongst the local populace. Also present in great numbers are the brightly coloured lizards common to Zimbabwe. The area has two large dams and many smaller ones that become the scene of family picnics, and angling competitions on weekends. A game park is home to herds of sable antelope, an animal not seen further south. The National Park boasts self catering chalets with amazing views as well as camping sights.

34km

-20.49928.632

Victoria Falls

a waterfall in southern Africa

385km

-17.933325.8333
Sights (1)

Bulawayo Railway Museum

930m

-20.1636111128.57416667
Nature

we will see

Bulawayo

Zimbabwe
Someday we will visit Bulawayo or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Bulawayo

Bulawayo is a relaxed, elegant industrial city with wide tree-lined boulevards, in western Zimbabwe. Several World Heritage sites, including historic monuments from the precolonial era and national parks, are within an hour's drive from Bulawayo, making it a great tourist destination.

Bulawayo is located in the south west of Zimbabwe. It is in the middle of the savanna country. It has 4 seasons with rains starting in late October to about March. Coldest months being May and June with July being cold and windy.

The city was founded by the Ndebele king, Lobhengula, the son of King Mzilikazi, born of Matshobana, who settled in modern-day Zimbabwe around the 1840s. This followed the Ndebele people's great trek from northern Kwazulu. The name Bulawayo comes from the Ndebele word bulala and it translates to "the one to be killed". It is thought that, at the time of the formation of the city, there was a civil war. Mbiko Masuku, a trusted confident of King Mzilikazi and leader of the Zwangendaba regiment fought Prince Lobengula as he did not believe that he was the legitimate heir to the throne. This was because Lobhengula was born to a Swazi mother and Mbiko ka Madlenya Masuku felt that she was of a lesser class. He named his capital "the place of the one to be killed".

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

27°C16
Precipitation: 142 mm

Feb

27°C16
Precipitation: 109 mm

Mar

26°C15
Precipitation: 84 mm

Apr

26°C13
Precipitation: 18 mm

May

23°C9
Precipitation: 10 mm

Jun

21°C7
Precipitation: 3 mm

Jul

21°C7
Precipitation: 0 mm

Aug

23°C9
Precipitation: 0 mm

Sep

27°C12
Precipitation: 5 mm

Oct

29°C15
Precipitation: 20 mm

Nov

29°C16
Precipitation: 81 mm

Dec

28°C16
Precipitation: 122 mm