Harare Zimbabwe Airport.BEWARE!!!! This Info can Help YOU!!
 

I traveled and landed in Zimbabwe Harare Airport and was traveling on Ethiopian Airlines. Please Please..Please!!! If there is anything you have of value, even as simple as a cell phone , Do not pack it in your luggage, they stole my shoes, my jeans, my belt, these items were authentic designers, but they stole alot of items out . I was shocked that someone would steal shoes, and jeans, they stole my cell phone, and also it was a group of us traveling for a Christian Religious Retreat, and others in our group reported that as soon as they checked their luggage when they arrived home, alot of items were stolen from their luggages . If you even value your toothbrush, dont pack it!!!! . As they will steal it. I have been trying to contact the airlines and have been getting waffled around. Luckily I have good homeowner's insurance.

Here' my shorter advice for Zim.

Just. Stay. Away.

This is a sad report to hear. It leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth when these type of things occur. We have been conducting safaris in Zimbabwe, as well as several other Southern Africa countries, since 1995. I spent the entire month of September this year in Zimbabwe with two seperate groups. We have been fortunate to never have had anything like this happen.
I have some contacts in Ethiopian Air. If I can assist you in anyway please send me a PM.

Pixelpower - why do you say that? I'm just back from two weeks in Zim and had a wonderful time.

I'm sorry to hear about the experience of the OP in Harare but that in itself does not justify not going to the country full stop . Theft does happen elsewhere too.

Agreed. I've read more stories about people having clothing stolen from checked luggage at the Johannesburg airport than from Harare.

I think many people (myself included) fail to recognize the potential value of clothing in our checked luggage. I remember seeing a guy on the streets of Windhoek, Namibia trying to sell 2 belts and one pair of sunglasses. I'm not saying he stole the stuff, I just found it somewhat interesting to see someone with such little "inventory"--usually street sellers have dozens of belts and sunglasses.

Agreed. I've read more stories about people having clothing stolen from checked luggage at the Johannesburg airport than from Harare.

I think many people (myself included) fail to recognize the potential value of clothing in our checked luggage. I remember seeing a guy on the streets of Windhoek, Namibia trying to sell 2 belts and one pair of sunglasses. I'm not saying he stole the stuff, I just found it somewhat interesting to see someone with such little "inventory"--usually street sellers have dozens of belts and sunglasses.

Oops--sorry for the double post!

A couple years ago some friends had shoes in their luggage replaced by very old shoes. That was in Nairobi.

Does that saran wrapping of luggage prevent that kind of thing or does it just get cut off? I've often wondered about that service in airports.

@Africa_fan;

I was there in 2000 and had no problem either. But in 2008, I went back and can only - and in all honesty - say that things have gotten far worse. For the locals. For the animals. For white people working there. And for tourists.

I used to reply in the same way as you, and would even add the "don't forget the poor locals" line, but I'm sorry: I'm way past that point now.

It is high time that the people get their act together and choose new leader(s). Leader(s) that really represent them. Yes, I know it's easy for me to say that. But if Angola can do it, and Moz can do it... then Zim can do it too. I know it won't be easy, but the sooner they start the better.

My feeling is that by visiting the country and leaving your tourist dollars, one is actually prolonging this whole ordeal.

B.regs,

J.

I was sitting next to the driver on a game drive....and he quietly whispered to me..."We are nice people here in Zimbabwe, but sometimes we make mistakes."

He all but whispered it to me for fear some one would hear and it was so heart tugging. They would hope to do better in an honest and real election...let us hope they are given the chance.

I'm conflicted about Zim too. Better to visit or use my tourist dollars elsewhere? I will go the instant (assuming finances cooperate) they get rid of Mugabe (or he passes) but not sure if before.

These days I get my luggage plastic wrapped. I hope that would stop the bags from being opened.

In today's day and age, why would anyone pack a cellphone, laptop, etc., into checked in luggage? Makes no sense to me.

I am dismayed at the negativity of some of the posts. We just returned from Zimbabwe having spent a week in Maun, Little Makalolo and Vic Falls in late September. The main message from everyone native we encountered was their joy at having the US dollar as their currency and the return of tourists. They believed they are on their way to greater stability.
I have had items stolen from luggage in several other countries and now travel exclusively with a carry-on-even for 17 days in Africa. And I wonder if you are certain that the items were stolen in Harare, vicowusu?
As for their electing a new president-we can't judge other countries by our freedoms. I believe that as world citizens, we support such countries with our visits and our conversations and our dollars. While we can't "fix" a whole country, we can do a small part to help some of them and provide more jobs. I encourage people to travel to Zim and see the differences since the $ inception for themselves.

I have learned to take only what I can pack in an overhead compartment and suppliment with a manageable back pack. Quick dry clothes and disposable underwear/quick dry underwear roll up and fit in the corners. Pants are washed in the sink and worn the next day - or just go dirty. Who cares? Going to Egypt for 15 days and can fit it ALL in the suitcase and backpack. U can too!

@pixelpower

According to Wikipedia - Angola's civil war lasted for 27 years and "by the time the 27-year war was formally brought to an end in 2002, an estimated 500,000 people had been killed"

Mozambiques civil war began in 1977 and "over 900,000 died in fighting and from starvation, five million civilians were displaced, many were made amputees by landmines, a legacy from the war that continues to plague Mozambique.Fighting ended in 1992"

Zimbabweans have chosen to "fight" their war using different "weapons". Yes there is still loss of life and freedom and fear but would you really wish war on a nation that has already gone through so much, bearing in mind that, that is how Angola and Mozambique got to where they are now? In eleven years only which compared to the above examples is a relatively short period of time we've acheived albiet a precarious peace and some progress. Painstakingly slow yes, but without the loss of human life and the after effects of all out war.

You may not agree with the way we have chosen to "deal with our situation" but you should respect it. As dellio says you cannot judge us by your freedoms.

As a proud Zimbabwean - I say come visit and support the locals.

Hi Vanessa, Thanks for the helpful information about your country. Your response is typical of those from Zimbabwe we spoke with on our recent safari. All expressed great hope for the future.

I agree with Dellio and others. Pixelpower bases his/her experience on 2008 when the national currency had broken down. Indeed, 2008 was a desperate year. But 2011 is very different. So to advise people based on old experiences of a dynamically changing country has minimal value. I have just returned from Victoria Falls. I would go back in a shot. Ignor Pixelpower's post.

If I have a problem it is that prices are a bit out of line with quality [visas (especially for Brits), electricity cuts; old smokey vehicles; unnecessarily high mark-ups on South African imports; poor supermarket produce quality]