Hello, I'd like to know whether it is safe and worthwhile to go to Zimbabwe to view wildlife. Has anyone doen this recently. I just saw a trip on bookinafrica.com reagrding a 11 day trip that starts fron Johannesburg to kruger than to Zim for several days and then ending in Vic Falls on the Zimbabwe side.

Any comments are appreciated.


Kwankew

Are you sure that the trip spends several days in Zimbabwe? it's more than likely just a day or so at Vic Falls (Zim side) which should be fine.

What constitutes the Zim portion of the itinerary, just the falls? or more.

Here in Australia, Zimbabwe is always in the news for the wrong reasons, food shortages, really unsafe, and now a cholera outbreak with thousands fleeing to the South African border for medical treatment, and clean water scarce even in Harare. Inflation is over a million percent! If you enjoy dangerous places, then it would be exciting, and though I really feel for the tour operators there, I think one should wait for the political situation to ease. Even the USA is now calling for the ousting of Mugabe.

i have spent 5 days in hwange naional park recently (mid nov 08) and 1 nt. in vic falls.

i don't think i feel safer in frankfurt, melbourne, new york or miami.

of course people try to sell anything.
i even went to a crafts market in vic falls on my own!

and safari in a national park is completely out of the misery the rest of the country is going thru.

hwange was nice. we were able to observe a lioness' collar change.

many elephants, buffaloes, number of giraffes, jackels, bat eared foxes twice and lots of plains game.

i would consider it worthwhile to travel to zim.

div

I agree with div, go and enjoy yourself, and the locals defintely need the money.
A Zimbabawe lady I was speaking to here in Oz, said now was the best time to go to Hwange and Vic Falls as there is virtually no one around.
She only moved to Oz a couple of months ago.
On another thread, someone said they couldnt eat a fine meal whilst at Vic Falls, as the locals had no food, but you'd still eat your fine meal at home, and not give them a thought!
I also have walked through the markets, without the tourist police, the only thing is they are desperate to sell you something or buy your clothes.

Whoops, I said they wanted to buy your clothes, I lied, they want you to give them everything, for them to sell, sorry.

sally
we experienced the same!
i was sad that i had not brought some good used clothes with me for them. and on safari one only carries what is really needed......
they asked for "old" t-shirts, pants, shoes..anything.

so kwankew
in case you have some spare luggage - take some things with you to give away. the problem will be WHO to give it to...

happy travels!

div

Bring whatever you can. I posted this last year right when I got back, but I brought in sugar and tea and the people went crazy for it. I went to a store in Johannesburg and loaded up as much as I could carry. Cooking oil is another very hot commodity. If you can spare the room in your bags before you leave, bring as many clothes as you can.

tacos,

great to read your thoughts!
i would rather go today than tomorrow and it's wonderful to "meet" people who feel the same!

merry christmas to all of you!

div

just got back from among other things, 24 hours in Zim at Victoria Falls, and felt very safe - we would go back. But, the no credit card thing was a pain - only cash there.

The falls were breathtaking, and the kids loved the adrenaline adventures - bungee jumping, zip line and gorge swing.

However, read Paul Theroux's <i> Dark Star Safari </i> for another view on giving away clothes.