Travel On The Level

The Bulawayo Club

If going on an African safari isn't exotic enough, try the Prospectors' Pub Crawl, a tour through the colorful and historic pubs and bars of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city.

The guided pub crawl recreates the typical end-of-work-day of 19th century prospectors as they returned from the gold mines and cashed in at the gold exchange. It was developed by local expert and guide Paul Hubbard after studying miners' letters and accounts of their typical nights' activities. All ended at the still-open Bulawayo Club, a conveniently short walk from the police station.

You can choose to absorb the atmosphere and history, tip a beer or two or go the full prospectors' route, three beers and a tot of brandy in every pub.

Tip: Levelers, this is a "walking" tour but you'll be accompanied by a mini bus should you prefer - or need - to ride.

Imbibing is up to you.

It's offered through Expert Africa and is included with their Klipspringer Safari, which starts at $2,778 per person, sharing, and includes two nights at the Bulawayo Club along with time at Ivory Lodge in Hwange National Park and Matobo Hills' Camp Amalinda, internal flights to and from Johannesburg, transfers, six nights' full board, two nights' B&B, safari activities and the Prospectors' Pub Crawl.