No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-07-15T08:15:29Z
Full advisory →Is Bulawayo safe? 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Bulawayo scores 54/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Moderately safe for cautious travelers; Bulawayo is one of Zimbabwe's safer cities, but petty crime is a real concern and nighttime safety requires extra care. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bulawayo 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe · Assessed 29 July 2026
54
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~47% of countries
What drives this score
Crime54/100CautionHomicide 6.8 / 100k
Sentiment62/100FairMixed—safe by day, cautious at night
Advisories72Good
Stability53Caution
Health64Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Zimbabwe: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
52 / 100 (Mixed—safe by day, cautious at night)
52
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
666k residents
77
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Zimbabwe6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed robberies targeting businesses and taxi drivers are documented in 2026; mugging/robbery risk to tourists is low-to-moderate in tourist areas but higher in peripheral neighborhoods and after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are the primary theft concerns; police report increased incidents in Central areas. Hotspots: City Centre, markets, bus terminals, crowded public transport, and taxi ranks.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed—safe by day, cautious at night
62/100
Reported feel52Mixed—safe by day, cautious at night
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report feeling reasonably safe during daylight (68/100), but confidence drops significantly after dark (32/100). Most visitor experiences are positive when standard precautions are followed; guides and locals note Bulawayo's more relaxed atmosphere compared to Harare.
Moderately safe for cautious travelers; Bulawayo is one of Zimbabwe's safer cities, but petty crime is a real concern and nighttime safety requires extra care.
Bulawayo ranks as one of Zimbabwe's safer cities for visitors, with violent crime against tourists rare, but petty theft (pickpocketing, bag-snatching) in crowded areas is a moderate concern. Recent 2026 armed robberies have targeted financial outlets and taxi drivers rather than tourists. The database profile shows 51/100 composite safety—daytime is generally safe, but nighttime risk is significantly higher.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Bulawayo Financial Outlet Hit in $100k Daylight Heist—armed robbery targeting a financial business— NewsDay Zimbabwe
- Jun 2026Bulawayo man sentenced to six years for armed robbery spree targeting taxi drivers— 3-mob.com
- May 2026Fatal robbery: Bulawayo man killed employer during armed robbery incident— 3-mob.com / NewsDay Zimbabwe
- Mar 2026$70,000 and R500,000 seized in armed robbery at Mukuru branch in Bulawayo— zimlive.com
Common scams
- Friendship mugging: strangers befriend tourists then rob them once trust is gained
- Fake currency exchange and informal money changers offering unfavorable rates
- Unlicensed taxi drivers and fake tour guides
- ATM/card fraud and overpayment schemes due to unreliable electronic payment infrastructure
Full briefing
Briefing
Bottom Line Bulawayo is one of Zimbabwe's safer cities for tourists and significantly safer than neighboring South Africa (homicide rate 43.7/100k vs. Zimbabwe's 6.8/100k). However, the city is not risk-free: daytime is reasonably secure, but nighttime safety is weak, and petty theft is a genuine concern. The Canadian government advises to "exercise a high degree of caution"; the UK FCDO places no specific advisory against travel. Composite safety sits at 51/100—moderate.
What the Data Shows Bulawayo's safety profile is two-sided. During daylight, 68% of respondents feel safe walking alone, and violent crime against tourists is rare. However, at night, only 32% feel safe—a sharp drop that reflects real infrastructure gaps (poor lighting) and opportunistic crime. The crowdsourced crime index (61.6/100) and Numbeo surveys show property crime is the dominant local problem (74/100 concern score), not violent assault. The homicide rate (6.8/100k) is higher than the U.S. average but well below most Southern African countries; terrorism is not a credible risk (0 deaths, 100/100 safety score).
Current Situation (2026) The dossier reveals a cluster of armed robberies targeting businesses and taxi drivers: a financial outlet was hit for $100k in March 2026, and a man was sentenced for a six-robbery spree against taxi drivers in June 2026. These incidents underscore that petty and opportunistic crime are active, though they have largely spared tourists. Pickpocketing is on the rise in Central Bulawayo, particularly in markets and bus terminals. Police have launched initiatives to curb pirate taxis and improve safety on public transport, but travelers must remain cautious.
How to Stay Safe Avoid Makokoba and poorly lit peripheral areas entirely, especially after dark—these neighborhoods have elevated crime. In tourist zones and the City Centre, stay alert in crowded areas (markets, bus stations, taxi ranks); watch bags closely and don't flash valuables. Use only registered taxis or arrange rides via hotels; pirate minibuses are not only unsafe but also commonly associated with theft. Carry USD cash (ATMs are unreliable and card fraud is a risk); small denominations are useful. Do not attend political gatherings or engage in political discussions. Most importantly, travel as part of a group when possible and ask locals for real-time guidance—Zimbabweans are known for hospitality and can advise on current conditions.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Bulawayo districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bulawayo safety map.
MakokobaavoidHigher crime rates; locals advise visitors to avoid this area
City CentrecautionTourist hub; safe during daylight with standard precautions, but pickpocketing risk in crowds; avoid after dark
SuburbscautionNightlife and bar district; acceptable for evening outings with a group, avoid solo night walks
EntumbanecautionMixed residential; moderate risk, especially after dark
KhumalosaferSouth Bulawayo residential; quieter and safer for visitors
ThorngrovesaferResidential neighborhood; quiet and low-crime
AscotsaferQuieter residential area; generally safe for visitors
07 · After Dark
Is Bulawayo safe at night?
83% of people in Zimbabwe say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Armed robberies targeting businesses and taxi drivers are documented in 2026; mugging/robbery risk to tourists is low-to-moderate in tourist areas but higher in peripheral neighborhoods and after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Makokoba, City Centre, Suburbs, Entumbane. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Bulawayo's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight54
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight54
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight55
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight54
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight56
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight54
09 · Questions
Bulawayo safety FAQ
Is Bulawayo safe for tourists right now?
Moderately safe for cautious travelers; Bulawayo is one of Zimbabwe's safer cities, but petty crime is a real concern and nighttime safety requires extra care. Bulawayo ranks as one of Zimbabwe's safer cities for visitors, with violent crime against tourists rare, but petty theft (pickpocketing, bag-snatching) in crowded areas is a moderate concern. Recent 2026 armed robberies have targeted financial outlets and taxi drivers rather than tourists. The database profile shows 51/100 composite safety—daytime is generally safe, but nighttime risk is significantly higher. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
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?
- Friendship mugging: strangers befriend tourists then rob them once trust is gained
- Fake currency exchange and informal money changers offering unfavorable rates
- Unlicensed taxi drivers and fake tour guides
- ATM/card fraud and overpayment schemes due to unreliable electronic payment infrastructure
How does Bulawayo compare with other places in Zimbabwe?
Bulawayo ranks #2 of 3 Zimbabwe destinations we've assessed, scoring 54/100. See the Zimbabwe safety overview for the full list.
How is this Bulawayo safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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