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September 2nd, 2010 
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Question by foamcem: Do you consider a risk to travel in Zimbabwe?
I'm planning a tour (Namibia - Botswana) and I want to add Victoria Falls and Hwange (4 nights).
Have you ever been in there? When? Do you consider safe this lands (civil wars, rebels...)?
Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by denissnowy
I traveled there extensively in the 90's. Situation has changed somewhat.
Vic Falls you can do as a day trip, no need to over night and no risk.
Hwange used to be fantastic and maybe it still is. I doubt if there are many visitors now. You will probably find getting fuel and supplies hard and the officials may want bribes since they are paid so little. I would guess it is safe but suggest you have a look on some forums like over lander or lonely planet. There are a couple of good south african travel magazines - sorry cant remember the names but they have letters etc.
There is no civil war but the police can be unpleseant.
Botswana is as safe as can be, no corruption, good roads, everything available and stable. Namibia is very similar - I travelled a lot in both and would go back in a heart beat. Generally the locals are friendly and civil - only be careful changing money except through banks (in Zim)
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lucky you, you get to travel
i doubt it is, there is no war or rebels although there is political tensions (caused by the president, the people are not violent)
their economy is improving since last year…
im sure its gonna be ok, check many Zimbabwean travel websites for advise though
have a good trip..
I was in a small part of Zim in May 2009, and didn’t have any problems. My wife and I crossed from Botswana into the northwest corner of Zim near Kasane, Botswana. We had to pay the correct price for Zim visas at the border, but no bribes or suggestions that we should pay a bribe. The road from the border to Vic Falls (maybe 70 kms) was almost all national park. Other than concerns about elephants and lions, we didn’t feel like we had any big safety concerns (we were traveling by bicycle, so we tend to feel more vulnerable in some places).
In the town of Vic Falls itself, we were careful as we would be in any city that attracts a lot of tourists, and thus also pickpockets and such, but there didn’t seem to be any tension in the air among the locals. After two nights at Vic Falls we went right into Zambia, and had no problems getting our exit stamps. But I don’t know anything about Hwange. We loved Vic Falls, and enjoyed seeing it from both the Zim and the Zam side (although I don’t know if a Zambian visa cost would make it worth it for you if you weren’t planning on anything else in Zambia).
Someone mentioned money changing, and it’s true that the Zim gov’t used to really crack down on changing money on the streets. However, when I was there, they had completely given up on having their own currency, so there was no need to money exchange. Most places were pricing things in U.S. dollars or South African Rand, although Botswanan Pula, Euros, British Pounds, and I think Australian dollars were also being accepted at most places. I don’t know if they’ve revived the currency since then or not.
Keep posted on the news (internet isn’t too hard to find in Vic Falls, at least, when the electricity is working) and I’m guessing you’d be okay unless something really crazy were to pop up. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
I would not enter Rhodesia as long as Robert Mugabe is in office or would you like to visit North Korea as well ? Do not support dictators in anyways. And yes if you are white you are at risk visiting Rhodesia.