Thit_cho wrote: <<<While I am sure Rocco can adequately defend himself, there are myriad reasons that one may suggest a visit to Zimbabwe. In particular, I am very concerned about the plight of the animals and the parks, and I would prefer to help sustain Hwange or Mana Pools before giving money to lodges in some other well-funded parks. The parks and lodges need financial help -- if ignored, they will perish.>>>

Indeed! I've seen Matopos NP, while it was burning up. Fires lit by poachers, apparently. It works in 2 ways; the animals tend to flock together, so they are easier to catch, and also: guards try to extinguish the fires, but in the meantime they cannot go after the poachers.

I can assure you; a terrible thing to witness.

Matopos NP gave me the greatest safari-moment of my life (at least; so far): I had to sit down in front of a rhino & calf (too late to run). They came up to 5 meters to check us out and then went their way.

It hurst me to think about their chances of survival. Who's actually the animal here? I mean; she let us (humans) live. Are we gonna let her live? I think not.

They're probably dead by now.

Yes, Mugabe is probably a 1st class a$$h0le. But that doesn't mean we should turn away from those in need. Be it human or animal; they're all victims of his regime.

I don't have all the answers. I don't know what the best strategy is to get rid of him. But I can tell you it is not helping his citizens starve to death.

RBCal - I am complelled to answer your post. It seems to me to be neutral. Did you put this up because you think we should all take the consular statement seriously? Or were you pointing out the absurdity of it?

As I've said before, good and logical people can disagree on strategy for dealing with Mugabe. I choose not to go to Zimbabwe - and it's not because of the State Dept.

Roccco would say I don't care at all for the people or wildlife of Zimbabwe. Absolute rubbish!!

Every unit of hard currency coming into Zimbabwe helps keep Mugabe and Co. in power. Had people taken a stand and stopped going to Zimbabwe I believe Mugabe would be out of power now. Instead of this slow slide towards chaos.

Zambia also needs our support as thousands of Zimbabwe refugees have landed there.

You may disagree with me on strategy, I have no problem with that, but check your arrogant view that you have the only answer and that your motives are superior.

Well said, pixelpower. Putting a face on these events always makes it clearer. I once again applaud those of you who are tying to promote Zimb. at a grass roots level. This, I fear as per usual, will be the only way to educate and lessen the apprehensions of those who are on the fence about visiting this country in need.
Waiting for governments to do the right/sensible thing or give us the proper info. just ain't gonna happen.
Peace;
Sherry

IMHO, trolling is posting false information in order to obtain a response. All the information I've posted is from governmental travel recommendations and referenced. Personally I believe those sites over tour operators with financial interests. Anyone recommending ignoring those warnings without disclosing vested interests is trolling (and this was the reason I posted the governmental warnings).

Hey folks, can we crank this down a notch or two?

I do not believe that Rocco's advocacy of traveling to Zimbabwe is motivated by his economic interests. Nor do I believe that people who argue that Zimbabwe is unsafe for travel and/or that spending tourist dollars there supports Mugabe are heartlees cruel people without sympathy for the Zimbabwean people.

There are reasonable arguments to be made on both sides of this issue and resonable minds can disagree.

Favor,

I'm not saying my view or any one else's views are the only solutions to the problem........we just feel like we can help the animals and some people.......that's more than Mugabe will do......

Ppl like him will find a way to exploit his ppl/resources, no matter what.......

Hari

And yes, although i personally hv never been to Zimbabwe (The closest i have been is Livingstone)......i will consider it strongly for my next safari in 2007.....i dont want to sound like a hypocrite giving out all this advice and not travelling myself.

Hari

As an Australian, I also look at the australian government policies on travel to Zimbabwe.

The following applies:

Destinations for which we (aust govt) advise you to reconsider your need to travel - 13 countries

and

We advise against all travel to these countries - 7 countries

and

Zimbabwe is not one of them, in either instance.

Kind regards,

Kaye

The visa fee that is charged in foreign currency goes directly to the Mugabe government.

RBCal,

I am sure that your own taxes pay much more to foreign dictators than visa fees provide for Robert Mugabe, while providing none of the benefits to the country's disenfranchised.

Really, isn't it time to take up a new crusade???

... and the Visa fees paid to any other country go to their governments, bad or good.

Time to move on or kill this thread!

There are much better ways to provide relief to Zimbabwe rather than through travel. See

http://www.zimrelief.info/

From travellerspoint.org

"Unfortunately, now is not an ideal time to visit Zimbabwe. Political tension and claims of corruption appear set to bubble over into widespread civil war. We recommend holding back for the time being and waiting till tensions subside."

RBCal,

And what, may I ask, is the U.N. doing for the wildlife???

(Okay, this is my last post...I will let you win by having the final word...I am exhausted)

Yep..it's time to move on!!!

Hari

I'll shut up too. No one likes Mugabe.

However, if people wish to support conservation of Zimbabwe wildlife they can give money to Wildlife & Environment Zimbabwe

http://www.zimwild.co.zw/