Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Zimbabwe due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens.”
Updated Tue, 27 Jun 2023
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is Bulawayo safe? 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bulawayo scores 50/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes, Bulawayo is moderately safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and occasional armed robbery require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bulawayo 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe · Assessed 19 October 2026
50
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime47/100CautionCrime index 61.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment63/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability54Caution
Health58Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:08:38Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Zimbabwe: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-13T15:11:31.3146413-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
666k residents
73
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed robbery is rare but possible in urban centers like Bulawayo, particularly at night; recent incidents include a February 2026 heist and a September 2026 murder during a robbery.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas such as the Central Business District, marketplaces, and bus termini, with police noting an increase in incidents.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Reported feel55Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel safe when sticking to established tourism routes, with many noting warm hospitality and low incident rates; Bulawayo is rated one of Zimbabwe's safer cities for tourists.
Yes, Bulawayo is moderately safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and occasional armed robbery require vigilance.
Bulawayo scores in the moderate range on safety indices, with crime levels lower than many regional peers but pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported in crowded areas like the Central Business District and bus termini. Armed robberies remain rare but have occurred, particularly at night in urban centers. Visitors generally report feeling safe during daylight hours when sticking to established routes and avoiding high-risk neighborhoods.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Bulawayo quartet jailed 10 years each for robbery— newsday.co.zw
- Sep 2026Two suspects in the murder of a Bulawayo businessman shot dead by police during a robbery investigation— ZimLive.com
- Feb 2026Zimbabwe pushes to extradite its nationals from South Africa over a US$4 million Bulawayo heist— NewZimbabwe.com
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to isolated areas
- Unofficial guides demanding payment after unsolicited assistance
- Currency exchange scams offering unfavorable rates
Full briefing
Bulawayo presents a moderate safety environment for travelers, with crime levels lower than many regional peers but requiring standard urban precautions. The Central Business District, marketplaces, and bus termini are identified as hotspots for pickpocketing and bag-snatching, as confirmed by local police reports of increasing incidents in crowded areas. Armed robbery remains rare but has occurred, notably in a February 2026 case involving a US$4 million heist that led to extradition efforts from South Africa, and a September 2026 incident where two suspects were shot by police during a robbery investigation. Travelers generally report feeling safe during daylight hours, especially when avoiding poorly lit areas at night and sticking to established routes; Bulawayo scores highest among Zimbabwean cities assessed for visitor safety, with many citing warm hospitality and low incident rates in tourist zones. To reduce risk, use only registered taxis or ride-hailing apps, avoid unlicensed minibusses, and keep valuables concealed in markets and transport hubs. Refrain from walking alone after dark in the city centre, and remain alert in busy streets and queues where distraction creates opportunities for theft. While political discussions should be approached with sensitivity due to historical tensions, everyday interactions with locals are typically positive, and police are generally professional toward tourists despite occasional reports of bribery at checkpoints. Staying informed of local developments and avoiding demonstrations further enhances personal safety.
Was this Bulawayo, Zimbabwe report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Bulawayo districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bulawayo safety map.
MakokobaavoidHigher crime rates; specifically identified in travel guides as an area to avoid for tourists due to safety risks.
City CentrecautionPetty theft and pickpocketing reported in crowded areas such as markets and bus termini; exercise increased caution, especially after dark.
LuvevecautionMixed-use area with markets and transport hubs; pickpocketing reported in busy zones, remain vigilant with belongings.
MzilikazicautionHistoric township near city centre; occasional petty crime reported, avoid walking alone at night.
FamonasaferResidential suburb with lower crime incidence; considered safe for visitors during daylight hours.
BarbourfieldssaferWell-established residential area with good security; popular with expats and visitors, low incident reports.
PumulasaferQuiet residential township with low crime rates; safe for visitors, especially during day, standard precautions advised.
Matopos Road areasaferLeads to Matobo Hills tourism zone; well-patrolled, low crime, safe for day visits to attractions.
07 · After Dark
Is Bulawayo safe at night?
48% of people in Zimbabwe say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Armed robbery is rare but possible in urban centers like Bulawayo, particularly at night; recent incidents include a February 2026 heist and a September 2026 murder during a robbery.
After dark, be most careful around Makokoba, City Centre, Luveve, Mzilikazi. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bulawayo safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bulawayo safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Bulawayo is moderately safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though petty crime and occasional armed robbery require vigilance. Bulawayo scores in the moderate range on safety indices, with crime levels lower than many regional peers but pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported in crowded areas like the Central Business District and bus termini. Armed robberies remain rare but have occurred, particularly at night in urban centers. Visitors generally report feeling safe during daylight hours when sticking to established routes and avoiding high-risk neighborhoods. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Bulawayo safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bulawayo report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Bulawayo should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Makokoba as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bulawayo (2026)?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to isolated areas
- Unofficial guides demanding payment after unsolicited assistance
- Currency exchange scams offering unfavorable rates
How does Bulawayo compare with other places in Zimbabwe (2026)?
Bulawayo ranks #2 of 4 Zimbabwe destinations we've assessed, scoring 50/100. See the Zimbabwe safety overview for the full list.
How is this bulawayo safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Zimbabwe reports
3 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: bulawayo.json (CC BY 4.0).