Zimbabwe Travel Forum

I am looking to travel to Africa in August 2009. I am interested in doing a wildlife safari tour and would love to go to some of the places in Zimbabwe, however i know that it might not be a safe place to travel right now.

If i go in an escorted group tour will it still be very unsafe?

Thanks!

There are some recent discussions on Zim so if you scroll down to a few days ago or try Zimbabwe forum you could find them.
Who knows what Zim will be like in August.
One VT member said the unrest was in towns not the country. Another has been to Victoria Falls and Zambia recently.
My native Zim friend there is more sorrow than turmoil.She returns for passport renewal.
I do know from my contacts that the government (if you call it that) likes US$ so if you have them for the tour it might help.
Let us hear what the more experienced VT African travelers think.

I can only speak of Victoria Falls as I was there in October. It was safe but very sad as I could see the diference that a few years had made from my last visit. We only did things around there, walking with the lions, wandering around the township etc. I felt safe at all times,even on my own, but the locals do hassle you to buty things at every step. I felt so sorry for them as their economy is non existant. Zambia on the other hand ( I am talking Livingstone only) is booming. It is happy and vibrant and it was from that side we swam in the Devils Pool. I am not sure what the rest of Zimbabwe would be like. Have fun wherever you go.

I can only speak of Victoria Falls as I was there in October. It was safe but very sad as I could see the diference that a few years had made from my last visit. We only did things around there, walking with the lions, wandering around the township etc. I felt safe at all times,even on my own, but the locals do hassle you to buty things at every step. I felt so sorry for them as their economy is non existant. Zambia on the other hand ( I am talking Livingstone only) is booming. It is happy and vibrant and it was from that side we swam in the Devils Pool. I am not sure what the rest of Zimbabwe would be like. Have fun wherever you go.

Unfortunately, street crime is a real problem in Zimbabwe. Muggings occur in public areas where groups of males will surround and overwhelm their victim. Assaults and robberies are also prevalent after dark.

While street crime will focus on areas frequented by "rich" tourists, political violence in both cities and rural areas. It is known that foreign tourists have been accosted on suspicion of "spying". The government uses roadblocks to intimidate and these can be very dangerous.

An alternative for you to consider would be: visit the outstanding game reserves in northern Botswana (Chobe, Moremi) or even the Caprivi strip and then hop over the border into Zambia to experience the Victoria Falls.

Unforgettable!

Other than street crime (bag snatching, etc.) Zimbabwe as a whole is safer than many big cities in Europe, if you go into the wrong neighborhoods. An escorted tour group would be perfectly safe.

Have a great time.