Hillside Dams

Updated June 26, 2025

Hillside Dams – Bulawayo Publicity Association

## Hillside Dams (Hillside Dams Conservancy), Bulawayo: what it is and what’s on-site

Hillside Dams (also referred to as Hillside Dams Conservancy) is a protected recreation-and-conservation area in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, commonly described as a national monument.

The site is associated with three core aims—conservation, education, and recreation—and presents itself as a conservancy/park experience for visitors. Dams Conservancy

Location (as provided): RJ47+5F2, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (Plus Code).

—

## Practical visit basics

### Operating hours (published by the operator)
The Hillside Dams Conservancy website lists:
– Office hours: Mon–Sun 08:00–16:00
– Park hours: Mon–Sun 07:00–18:00 Dams Conservancy

A Facebook post from the official page also states the conservancy is open daily 6:00 AM–6:00 PM. Because these differ, treat hours as changeable and confirm before visiting.

### Gate entry fees (published by the operator)
The conservancy’s activities page lists:
– Adults: $3 per person
– Kids under 12: $2 per person
– Vehicles: $1 per vehicle Dams Conservancy

(As with any privately posted fee list, pricing can change; check close to your visit date.) Dams Conservancy

—

## What you can do at Hillside Dams

### Activities promoted on-site
The conservancy’s official website highlights multiple “top activities” (presented as on-site offerings), including canoeing and other activity formats shown in their activity tiles. Dams Conservancy

### Activities mentioned by visitors
Tripadvisor reviews for “The Hillside Dams Conservancy” mention activities such as canoeing on the dam and the presence of braai points (barbecue areas).

### Fishing (seasonal/managed activity)
The official Facebook page has also promoted a fishing season with stated terms (including separate fishing-related pricing references and contact details). Treat this as time-bound and confirm current rules/fees before planning a fishing visit.

—

## Nature, wildlife, and birding: what’s documented

BirdLife Zimbabwe notes that:
– Hillside Dams are in the Hillside suburb of Bulawayo.
– The area is owned by the City of Bulawayo.
– It was declared a bird sanctuary by the city “half way through the last century” (mid-1900s).

BirdLife Zimbabwe also records rock paintings and archaeological findings associated with the area.

The Bulawayo Publicity Association describes the property as 86 hectares, about 6 km south of Bulawayo city centre, and says it is operated by a Trust with a mission to preserve the area through recreation and education.

—

## History notes (and what to treat cautiously)

Wikipedia’s entry (which may not reflect the latest on-the-ground management) describes Hillside Dams as a national monument and summarizes a timeline that includes early water-supply infrastructure work in the late 1800s and later sale to Bulawayo City Council in 1924. Because Wikipedia can be edited and may be incomplete, use it as background, not as your only source for operational details.

—

## How to get there (factual routing details are limited)

A third-party listing provides a simple driving outline from Bulawayo city centre toward Hillside Road and then toward the Plus Code area RJ47+5F2. Routing details can vary based on map provider, roadworks, and local signage, so use live navigation when possible.

—

## Accessibility, inclusivity, and safety: what can be stated with certainty

Public sources retrieved here do not provide verified details about:
– Step-free paths / wheelchair accessibility
– Accessible toilets
– Lifeguards or formally designated swimming areas
– On-site medical services

If your RealJourneyTravels.com audience needs access-first planning, the most accurate approach is to confirm directly with the operator (the official site provides contact channels). Dams Conservancy

—

## Internal linking opportunities (non-assertive, based on topical fit)
Because I can’t verify your current RealJourneyTravels.com URL inventory from the information provided, I won’t fabricate internal links. If you do have these pages, they’re the most contextually relevant:
– A Bulawayo travel guide / things to do in Bulawayo hub (to frame Hillside Dams within the city’s wider attractions).
– A Zimbabwe national monuments / protected areas guide (to contextualize what “national monument” means on your site).

—

## Data freshness flags (what may be outdated)
– Hours: two different “open daily” time windows appear across official sources; confirm before visiting. Dams Conservancy
– Fees: gate fees are posted on the operator’s site and can change. Dams Conservancy
– Activity availability (fishing, canoeing, etc.): visitor reviews and social posts are time-bound; confirm current status.

Key Highlights

Hillside Dams

Location

Places to Stay Near Hillside Dams"You can have a lot of relaxing activities on site."

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides