Travel Warning: Don’t go to Zimbabwe

Americans should be particularly aware of using still, video or telephone cameras in any urban setting, or in the vicinity of any political activity, as this could be construed by Zimbabwean authorities as practicing journalism without accreditation, a crime punishable by arrest, incarceration and/or deportation.

This travel warning on http://travel.state.gov/ is not a stretch of the imagination by any means. The government of Zimbabwe is cracking down on opposition and as I type, reports stream in over the airwaves of riot police ransacking the MDC headquarters in Harare.

Travel and tourism in Zimbabwe is now very much on hold. Feedback from operators and accommodation suppliers throughout the industry is that their reservations teams are being bombarded with cancellations for bookings. Even Harare’s hotels are again empty after Western reporters were made to leave and close the door behind them (Zesa switched off the light long ago).

The effect on the region will be that tourists who want to immerse themselves in the African bush will opt for Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique instead of Zimbabwe (and many more fickle tourists will give the whole region a skip). Zambia has seen a flourish of fishing lodges open along the mighty Zambezi and Mozambique’s coast is being commercialised further North in places like Bartholomew Diaz Point in Mozambique experiencing rapid growth. Until Zimbabwe has a legitimate government its tourism will be left behind. A Venues4Africa.com’s reservations consultant had a call today from a client for whom she arranged accommodation in Zambia and then in Hwange. The two ladies on tour from the States were adamant after news reports that they were cancelling the Zimbabwe leg of their trip and adding more days to their itinerary in Zambia.

The current powers that be will painstakingly wallow in the usual rhetoric that Zimbabwe’s heritage is for Zimbabwean people only and not for the Western world. Sustainable ecotourism can make Zimbabwe a truly unique destination and will guarantee Zimbabwe’s heritage is kept alive for future generations. Green tourism is the new buzzword and tourists now look to see where they can visit without leaving a footprint’ in the environments they visit. It is both good for the ecological sustainability of a country’s natural resources as well as being a lucrative means to raising foreign currency for the State. Typically Mugabe and his lapdogs can’t see the wood for the trees. Nigeria profited from poaching expelled farmers from Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries to Zimbabwe will experience increased growth in tourism and foreign exchange due to Zimbabwe’s demise.

One can only hope that the government coffers will now truly dry up and there won’t be anything lucrative to hold onto, not even for the elite few, making life in Zimbabwe totally unbearable for all and therefore change inevitable.

Rian Bornman
rian@venues4africa.com
www.venues4africa.com

Kariba still possible?
Venues4Africa.com Tours have built a package designed to offer the best of Kariba without even touching Zimbabwean roads. Fly into Harare and then Tiger Bay for an unforgettable 6 days of peace and quite in the Ume River!

Tiger Bay Special 
Ume River , Kariba

Tiger Bay offers the best of Lake Kariba and the Zimbabwean bush. Here you find Kariba at its most scenic with unparalleled wealth of Flora and Fauna including Rhino, Elephant, Hippo and Buffalo. Tiger Bay offers a true African experience from the comfort of a thatched Chalet. You can view same by boat, or fish for Tiger and Bream, or just relax around the swimming pool and listen to the sounds of the African bush. Almost 400 bird species have been recorded on the valley floor and around the Lake shore. The cry of the Fish eagle is one of Africa`s most memorable sounds and Lions can be heard hunting at night.  A true African experience that is affordable and unforgettable.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

5 night special -  from R 9950 per person
Includes :
• Flights from Joburg to Harare on British Airways return
• Charter flight from Harare International to Tiger Bay return
• Full Board (includes accommodation, three full meals, drinks (reasonable                       consumption and two activities per person per day.)

For more information and bookings please contact Shaun on :
shaun@venues4africa.com and +27 21 683 6444