Bulawayo City and Township Tour: Railway Museum and Makokoba

Walk colonial Bulawayo and sit with Makokoba residents over local food

A four-hour guided tour of Bulawayo takes you through the Railway Museum to see Cecil Rhodes' 1897 coach, along Main Street's Victorian buildings, and into Makokoba Township where you meet residents, watch artisans at work, and eat at local food stalls. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, a guide who speaks English, bottled water, snacks, museum entry and digital photos are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bulawayo city and township

• Visit Bulawayo Railway Museum
• See architecture along Main Street
• Tour Bulawayo City Hall and water well
• Explore Makokoba Township and meet locals

The experience

Start in the Railway Museum, where the oldest exhibits date back to 1897 and include Cecil Rhodes' personal railway coach: a window into how the rail system shaped Zimbabwe's trade and transport. From there, the tour moves to Main Street, where Victorian and Edwardian facades line the street alongside the City Hall (built in 1894), the post office, Art Gallery, Exchange Building and the Joshua Nkomo statue. Your guide points out how colonial architecture and modern design sit side by side, marking the city's evolution.

The second half takes you into Makokoba, Bulawayo's oldest township. Here you walk through the neighborhood's oldest homes, meet residents, and watch artisans at work in the arts and crafts center. You'll eat at local food stalls and hear stories from elders about the area's history and culture. This is not a museum visit. You're moving through a living community, talking with people who live there.

The tour runs four hours total and includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, snacks, admission to the Railway Museum, and digital photos of the day. Bring walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. The pace is steady but manageable for all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• an English-speaking guide.
• bottled water and snacks.
• admission to the Railway Museum.
• complimentary digital photos of the tour.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bushmen Travel Company

Is this one for you?The tour is four hours of steady walking through the city center and township, so wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection. If you have an afternoon free and want to move at a local pace (stopping to talk with residents and eat at food stalls rather than rushing between photo stops), this one fits that rhythm.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2).

What's inside the Railway Museum in Bulawayo?

The Railway Museum holds vintage locomotives, carriages and historical artifacts dating back to 1897, including Cecil Rhodes' personal railway coach, which illustrates Zimbabwe's railway heritage and its role in trade and transportation.

Can I eat local food on this tour?

Yes. You pass through food stalls in Makokoba Township where you can taste local cuisine and learn about the culinary traditions from the people who prepare and sell it.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Pickup and drop-off from your hotel are included in the tour price, along with an English-speaking guide.

What's the architecture like along Main Street?

Main Street features a mix of Victorian and Edwardian colonial buildings with intricate facades: the post office, Art Gallery, Exchange Building and City Hall (built in 1894), alongside contemporary structures that show how the city has evolved.