Zimbabwe Safari - A Dozen Reasons Why.
May 10th, 2006, 09:32 PM
#41
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Hi,
I went to Zimbabwe last year June - because it's a cheap destination and I always wanted to see the Vic Falls and Hwange. It was a great holiday - and we felt safe everywhere - but sad at the same time.
People will almost sell their souls for money - especially South African Rands, since they buy their groceries in SA. They're friendly and helpful and. The activities that we did in Victoria Falls town were well arranged and worth it.
Just a note on some of the camps in Hwange. We were originally booked to go to the Hide and about a month or two before we were supposed to go, the agent called to say that they're changing us to Makalolo Plains, since the Hide was taken over / invaded / whatever by the war veterans.
Makalolo Plains was a great experience though - loads of elephants, but no cats.
All in all a good holiday.
The highlight was definitely the Falls. It was awesome and definitely something worth seeing.
But yes, it's a sad country and one of those that will get people talking, asking questions and questioning the ethics of going to such a country at such a time.
I went to Zimbabwe last year June - because it's a cheap destination and I always wanted to see the Vic Falls and Hwange. It was a great holiday - and we felt safe everywhere - but sad at the same time.
People will almost sell their souls for money - especially South African Rands, since they buy their groceries in SA. They're friendly and helpful and. The activities that we did in Victoria Falls town were well arranged and worth it.
Just a note on some of the camps in Hwange. We were originally booked to go to the Hide and about a month or two before we were supposed to go, the agent called to say that they're changing us to Makalolo Plains, since the Hide was taken over / invaded / whatever by the war veterans.
Makalolo Plains was a great experience though - loads of elephants, but no cats.
All in all a good holiday.
The highlight was definitely the Falls. It was awesome and definitely something worth seeing.
But yes, it's a sad country and one of those that will get people talking, asking questions and questioning the ethics of going to such a country at such a time.
May 18th, 2006, 01:34 AM
#42
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Just got a hold of the May issue of Africa Geographic......Ian Michler's diary has an interesting article, "Zimbabwe on the turn?".
Interesting quote,"To those in doubt about whether they should be traveling to the country, the answer remains:Yes! The people who are keeping the tourism industry going, the national parks and conservencies intact and the wildlife populations protected from poachers need all the support they can get. The Govt is simply not capable of providing the services that it should and nor does it wish to, and travel to Zim today is not to support Mugabe's regime, but rather to ensure that he does not destroy everything. Every tourist dollar counts to the effort."
That's just a small piece of the article. But very enlightling and well written.
Hari
Interesting quote,"To those in doubt about whether they should be traveling to the country, the answer remains:Yes! The people who are keeping the tourism industry going, the national parks and conservencies intact and the wildlife populations protected from poachers need all the support they can get. The Govt is simply not capable of providing the services that it should and nor does it wish to, and travel to Zim today is not to support Mugabe's regime, but rather to ensure that he does not destroy everything. Every tourist dollar counts to the effort."
That's just a small piece of the article. But very enlightling and well written.
Hari
May 18th, 2006, 05:54 AM
#43
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Hari,
Thanks for posting this information.
I just received an e-mail from The Hide and they reported 80% occupancy rates in April 2006. This is their most successful month in years.
Honestly, the more I learn about Zimbabwe, the more I want to visit. I would encourage those who really don't know about what there is in Zimbabwe to read these links:
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_hwange_np.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe...atusadona.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_manapools.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_malilangwe.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_matobo.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_vic-falls.html
Thanks for posting this information.
I just received an e-mail from The Hide and they reported 80% occupancy rates in April 2006. This is their most successful month in years.
Honestly, the more I learn about Zimbabwe, the more I want to visit. I would encourage those who really don't know about what there is in Zimbabwe to read these links:
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_hwange_np.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe...atusadona.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_manapools.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_malilangwe.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_matobo.html
http://www.game-reserve.com/zimbabwe_vic-falls.html
May 18th, 2006, 07:17 AM
#45
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Thank you for this post Roccco. Stayed at Vic Falls Safari Lodge Nov 2005, great accomodations & service, very friendly workers, lots of security. Dinner at The Boma so good and lots of fun too. Took heli ride over the falls, walked the path of the falls on the Zim side too. A couple of my friends took the Elephant ride instead of the heli ride and their video was incredible, I wished I had done both. Visited the craft village (twice), spent time in the historic Vic Falls Hotel looking at all the photographs, interesting to see famous visitors, royalty who stayed there. Took a steam train from Zim to Zam over the Vic Falls Bridge (100 yrs old now!)The Zambezi...wow~ Zim is an amazing place and due to the affordability I was able to visit this country and fulfill my dream to visit Africa.
May 18th, 2006, 08:03 AM
#46
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Hi Guys
Sorry, but I have been pre-occupied with running away from hijackers, murderes and the likes.... OK, take it easy as I am only joking. But in reality I am joking. Well, I live in JHB as you know so I will leave it up to you to decide.
I am not going to reply directly to all folks but I would just like to make one point with regards to a post about coming to live here is South Africa. BRING YOUR SIX SHOOTERS AS THIS IS THE WILD SOUTH AND I LOVE IT.
May 18th, 2006, 08:13 AM
#47
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Oh, forgot to tell you. My Colt 1911 pistol was stolen from my gun safe with the help of my previous (see previous posts on gizzy) and I personally handed in my 12 bore semi automatic shotgun to the police 3 weeks ago as is now required by South African Law. So it is a state in which white South Africans must hand in their guns whilst blacks attack us with AK47s. HaHa. Its OK as I found the solution and I LOVE it. I just bought myself a cross-bow. Legal and extremely deadly. I will NOT hesitate to kill if my family or anyone near me is in danger. I pray that tonight I sleep thru without the ters. I am sure their is someone out there who knows what I mean.
May 18th, 2006, 10:42 AM
#53
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Cooncat,
I say go for it! Canoe across, talk a look around Mana Pools and when/if you get taken into custody, I will lead the FREE COONCAT crusade and try to raise enough amongst my fellow Fodorites to bail you out of Zim prison.
You think it is frustrating now...just wait until you get there. However, same thing happens between the Serengeti and the Mara, as well.
I agree...very annoying! It is the equivalent of instead of going to Tijuana from San Diego, a person would instead need to drive from San Diego to an Arizona border town, cross the border in Arizona and then drive back to Tijuana. C'est la vie.
I say go for it! Canoe across, talk a look around Mana Pools and when/if you get taken into custody, I will lead the FREE COONCAT crusade and try to raise enough amongst my fellow Fodorites to bail you out of Zim prison.
You think it is frustrating now...just wait until you get there. However, same thing happens between the Serengeti and the Mara, as well.
I agree...very annoying! It is the equivalent of instead of going to Tijuana from San Diego, a person would instead need to drive from San Diego to an Arizona border town, cross the border in Arizona and then drive back to Tijuana. C'est la vie.
May 18th, 2006, 04:15 PM
#56
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hi rocco-have you given any thought to:
chizarira park? it is very remote-and wild. walking in there is very cool. i remember taking a flight from hwange to there.it took about 45mins.but i was told you can drive there from hwange. we only stayed 2nts.wished it was 3nts.
just a thought.
d
chizarira park? it is very remote-and wild. walking in there is very cool. i remember taking a flight from hwange to there.it took about 45mins.but i was told you can drive there from hwange. we only stayed 2nts.wished it was 3nts.
just a thought.
d
May 18th, 2006, 07:53 PM
#57
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Thank you Santharamhari!! Will look for the May Africa Geographic. We have been looking for something at least somewhat positive about Zimbabwe since we will be at Mana Pools for 3 days at the end of June.
May 20th, 2006, 08:44 PM
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We spent a week + in Zimbabwe last July. It was a part of a family safari mom, dad, and two teen sons) and we had a marvelous time. We visited Vic Falls and Mana Pools. We felt safe and we all learned a lot about the politics, life and land of Zimbabwe. We travelled with a Zimbabwean guide who was the best guide we have EVER had, ANYWHERE. We had AMAZING wildlife experiences and will never forget it. We WILL return.
