48 Hours in Gweru: Zimbabwe's Underrated City Break Destination

My fascination with bridges means I start most city explorations by examining local infrastructure, and Gweru doesn't disappoint. Begin your morning with a walk along Gweru River to spot several colonial-era bridges that have weathered decades of seasonal flooding. The most impressive is the old railway bridge—its weathered steel trusses tell the story of Zimbabwe's industrial past better than any museum could.

By mid-morning, head to Bogey Park, a charming green space where locals gather under massive msasa trees. The park was designed as a flood mitigation system, with clever water channels directing seasonal rains away from the city center. Pack a simple picnic with supplies from Kudzanai Market, where I found the freshest avocados I've eaten outside New Zealand.

As afternoon arrives, make your way to Midlands Brewery for a tour and tasting. This small craft operation uses traditional brewing methods, and their Zambezi Blonde ale is the perfect refreshment after a day exploring in the African sun. I was impressed by how they've adapted their brewing schedule to Zimbabwe's unpredictable power supply—a brilliant example of engineering resilience.

For dinner, Kopje House offers simple but delicious sadza (Zimbabwe's staple maize porridge) with various stews at prices that won't make your wallet weep. The sunset view over the city from their terrace is worth the visit alone.

Gweru's crown jewel is undoubtedly Antelope Park, and it deserves your entire morning. This wildlife conservation center offers something I've found nowhere else in Africa—the chance to walk with young lions as part of their rehabilitation program. While I'm typically skeptical of wildlife tourism, their conservation credentials are solid. The park sits on a floodplain, and watching how the animals and vegetation have adapted to the seasonal inundation cycles was fascinating from a natural engineering perspective.

Bring plenty of water and sun protection—the Zimbabwe sun is unforgiving even in winter. My wide-brimmed hat was an absolute lifesaver, offering much better protection than a regular cap while still folding down small enough to fit in my daypack.

After lunch at the park's riverside café, head to Naletale Monument, about 30km outside the city. These stone ruins date back to the 17th century and showcase incredible dry-stone walling techniques that have withstood centuries of weather extremes. The geometric patterns carved into the walls reveal sophisticated mathematical understanding that would impress any modern engineer.

As evening approaches, make your way to Chitukuko Cultural Village where local performers share traditional Shona and Ndebele dances. The village layout itself is a clever adaptation to local weather patterns, with structures positioned to maximize natural cooling. I was invited to join a drumming circle, and despite my Kiwi rhythm (or lack thereof), the locals were incredibly welcoming.

For dinner, try Taste of Zimbabwe, where I enjoyed a hearty plate of game meat stew with sadza for less than $5 USD. If you're feeling adventurous, order the mopane worms—a local delicacy that's surprisingly tasty once you get past the appearance.

Gweru offers surprisingly comfortable accommodation without the premium prices of Zimbabwe's more touristy destinations. Cecil Boutique Hotel in the city center provides clean, air-conditioned rooms from about $40 USD per night. The building itself is a fascinating colonial-era structure that's been cleverly retrofitted with modern amenities while preserving its architectural character.

For budget travelers, Antelope Park offers basic but comfortable safari tents from $25 USD—I spent one night here and waking up to zebras grazing outside my tent was worth every penny. The camp's location on the floodplain means it gets excellent cooling breezes even during hot days.

If you're really watching your pennies, Gweru Backpackers offers dormitory beds from $10 USD in a converted farmhouse about 3km from the city center. The owner, Mike, is a wealth of local knowledge and even offers free pickup from the bus station.

Whichever accommodation you choose, I highly recommend bringing a portable door lock for added security. This tiny device adds an extra layer of safety, especially in budget accommodations where door locks might be basic. It's become one of my essential travel items across Africa and Southeast Asia.

During my stay, I also found my sleep sack invaluable. It's perfect for budget accommodations where you might question the sheet-washing frequency, plus it adds warmth on cooler Zimbabwean winter nights when heating isn't available.

Gweru is compact enough that most central attractions are walkable, but the African sun makes this impractical during midday hours. Local minibus taxis (kombis) run regular routes through the city for about 50 cents USD per trip. They're crowded but authentic—just be prepared for frequent stops and the occasional chicken as a fellow passenger.

For destinations outside the city like Naletale Monument, hiring a driver for the day is your best option. I paid $40 USD for a full-day excursion, which was well worth it for the local insights my driver shared. Most hotels can arrange this service, or ask at Kudzanai Market where many drivers congregate.

If you're comfortable with adventure, bicycle hire is available from Gweru Cycles for about $5 USD per day. The city's relatively flat terrain makes cycling feasible, though be warned that Zimbabwean driving standards might raise your heart rate more than the pedaling will!

One essential for navigating Gweru is offline maps. The city's mobile data can be patchy, so I relied heavily on my solar power bank to keep my phone charged for navigation. The solar charging capability was particularly valuable during Zimbabwe's rolling power cuts.

I also recommend carrying a water filter bottle which saved me countless times when exploring areas without reliable drinking water. It filters out 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and parasites, meaning you can safely refill from almost any water source—a game-changer for budget travel in Zimbabwe.