Zimbabwe's second-largest city, Bulawayo, is a popular gateway to the safari grounds of Matopas National Park and is a rail hub for trips to Victoria Falls. But visitors who linger in the city can have plenty of fascinating cultural adventures.
Largely built during the colonial Victorian era, the city features wide boulevards and attractive buildings, as well as many parks. To get a sense of how European and African sensibilities have both contributed to the city's culture, visitors can head to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. This art museum's permanent European collection includes works by Old Masters, pre-Raphaelite and Impressionist painters, while the African collection features works by artists such as Zambia's Henry Tayali and Zimbabwe's Henry Munyaradzi.
Before getting on a train to Victoria Falls, adventurers might want to learn about the history of Africa's railroads by visiting the Bulawayo Railway Museum. Here, history comes to life in the form of well-preserved steam and diesel locomotives, dining cars, private saloon cars, accommodation coaches and more.
To glean more understanding of African animals and ecosystems, travelers can visit the city's natural history museum, which features the world's second-largest mounted elephant. The museum is located in Centenary Park, one of the largest green spaces in the city, along with a number of golf clubs, such as the Bulawayo, Lions and Harry Allen clubs.
Linger in Bulawayo for an urban African adventure
Posted on Friday, Oct. 7th, 2011
