Is it wise to plan a Zimbabwe trip for next year?

[ActionBob]

Even going on an adventurous hunt to Canada or Alaska might have as much or more risk... How many bush planes go down? any hunters ever fall off a horse? Or off a mountain...

Hard to say what things will be like in a year so write up contracts appropriately and with broad refund policies and limited down payments... Clients are in the driver's seat right now. and take out insurance on the hunt as mentioned as well as a Global Rescue policy. Then monitor the situation and stay in contact with your outfitter and PH. Be realistic and don't get bent out of shape (like some have) if they are slow in responding during their busy season

I was in Zimbabwe in 2014 and never felt at risk. The police were not even carrying weapons. If you are a good credit risk, and an honest fellow, deal with honest outfitters and you should be able to handle the finances from home and take limited funds with you, really just for tips and incidentals like a burger at the airport or a trinket to bring home. I found flying through Bulawayo to be very easy and straight forward... much easier than Joberg... they even told me right up front who expected a tip and who didn't... No guessing. I found it to be quite honest.

I did ride with the camp secretary to and from camp and she handled the roadblocks with calm and demeanor. Never bribed anyone.

And try to plan a trip to your taxidermist so you have expectations and reality figured out between you.

 

[edward]

Trying to predict the fall of Uncle Bob has been frustrating odds makers for 40 years. I do think he will outlive us all!

hope not!!!

 

[Hank2211]

I hunted Zimbabwe during the contested elections in 2008, when the US and Canada were recommending against all but essential travel. I spoke to my outfitter, who said pretty much what the guys here are saying - the troubles are always in the larger cities, and rarely on the hunting concessions. I was picked up and dropped off at the Victoria Falls airport, and we never saw even a hint of trouble. I've been back three times since, during hyper-inflation, and once when there was no power at all in the camp (or much of Zim from what I could tell).

At no time did I ever feel at personal risk. Partly that was because I had my PH with me all the time, and partly because none of these troubles really concern westerners. This isn't hunting Pakistan, where there are lots of people who hate western faces and make a living kidnapping them.

I'd go and stay away from the big cities, but as was said, you need to do your own personal risk assessment.

 

[Code4]

OMG scared to go ! I have been to Zim 5 times since 1984. Not all hunting. I hitch hiked through RSA during the two years before black majority rule.

The political issues in Zim are all internal and don't flow over. Your PH will deal will anything crime related.

You have more chance of being T-Boned on the way to the airport in your home country.

Don't leave your house. Bad things might happen.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I hunted with well known PH John Sharp in Zim in 2015. John lives in Bulawayo and we hunted further south in the Bubye Valley Conservancy. The other day, John sent me this email with an editorial from a Zim paper. Gives you a reason to be optimistic for this beautiful country.

Editorial
An Extraordinary Day !

Wednesday, the 13th July 2016 was a quite extraordinary day in Zimbabwe.

It was the Day the State brought the Pastor of a small Church to Court and
charged him with treason and tried to deny him bail. His crime Wearing a
Zimbabwe flag around his neck in protest Against the collapse of the
economy, the failure of State policies and the suffering of the people. The
week before he had called a national shut down which had been almost totally
observed. A weird silence descended on the whole country.

Zimbabwe is a deeply Christian country and over 80 per cent claim to be
Christian. In this case what we then saw was a spontaneous outpouring of
support. This is the first time I have seen the Church in Zimbabwe combine
on an issue and then take a stand.
It is a game changer.

These are the reflections of one Pastor who was there in support.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY BY SCOTT MARQUES: River of Life Church, Harare,
Zimbabwe.

Tomorrow is another day and no doubt there will be challenges to face. The
most important thing is that Kingdom of God is advancing, the Church is
growing and Jesus is working out his purposes in an amazing way, for His
Glory!

We saw today the leaders of the National Church, across all denominations,
in unity with each other bringing prayer, blessing, peace and joy whilst
massive tear-gas trucks and riot police stood aghast on stand-by

We saw today the President of the EFZ, Dr. Shingi Munyeza, sit from morning
to night in solidarity with Evan and many other church leaders there. I saw
him lead an entire courtroom in prayer for Evan, for the Magistrate, for the
Police and for Zimbabwe. Authority, humility, wisdom, truth and courage with
every word.

We saw today these church leaders issue bold statements speaking truth in
love to all Zimbabweans, giving direction and challenge

We heard today 5000 people chant 'Pastor, Pastor, Pastor, Pastor....' from
outside the Magistrates court as the church lead the way in today's
proceedings

We saw today 100's of lawyers standing for justice and offering their
services Pro-Deo and Pro-Bono - many holding up their lawyer's ID when the
magistrate asked who is taking this case.

We saw today a Defense Lawyer lay down his vanity and allow for a
team-effort of all lawyers, thereby receiving a torrent of legal advise as
half the court-room were some of the best legal minds in the country. Every
word the defence lawyer uttered seemed to build the most insurmountable
defence that the Magistrate had ever heard.

We saw today the accused, Evan Mawarire, come up from the cells, from the
bowels of the magistrate's court building, and hold his head high in the
dock with a Zimbabwean flag around his neck. He stood resolutely,
courageously trusting in God and continuing in his purpose.

We heard today 2000+ people outside the courtroom hold a 5 minute
silence/prayer time as the court-hearing started at 215pm.

We heard today people excited in the courtroom about Sean Mullens who had
just lead the masses outside to pray in groups as the afternoon entered its
most challenging moment with some unrest setting in. I believe this altered
the course of the day.

We saw today every race and tribe loving Jesus, loving one another and
loving Zimbabwe today

We heard today an overflowing courtroom sing 'Ishe Komborera Zimbabwe, Come
Spirit, Holy Spirit' as we waited 2.5 hours for the verdict. Police included
in the singing.

We saw today, after singing and praying in the courtroom, the riot police
enter with AK-47's, truncheons and shields. We saw them honored by all
inside and respectfully asked by a lawyer about their actions. We saw them
reconsider and walk out after 5 minutes to great applause.

We sang today of 'The Blood of Jesus' (directly translated from Shona 'The
Blood of God') at the top of my voice in the courtroom with hundreds of
others. And many other amazing songs of worship.

We saw and heard today a judge bring a just and righteous judgement. not a
word out of place - like poetry from beginning to end.

We saw something we have prayed for over years - dancing in the streets and
joy in homes. We saw this as Evan and his family left the courts for home
and the thousands remaining kicked-off the biggest street party that Harare
may have ever seen. I watched this guy love his wife and kids, preferring
them to personal glory or fame.

We saw today what could be something extraordinarily special for
reconciliation and foundation-laying in Zimbabwe, even the influence of a
continent.

Zimbabweans, through prayer, we render the baton stick, teargas, the AK 47
or any other weapon powerless. Let us remain united, peaceful and prayerful
as we love our neighbour and raise our voices to the Lord.

 

[UKHunter]

I was in Zim last year, road tripping the country in a 4X4, not once did I ever feel threatened or in danger.

On the other hand, I've walked through some areas in the US I wish I hadn't have..

Its very easy to let the media scaremonger. Do some genuine research, trust your outfitter (you trusted him enough to hunt with him in the bush in the first place), go and have a great time.

 

[Custom]

We'll I cancelled my trip there if that helps you any. Remains to be seen what is going to happen.

@CAustin, this was your leopard trip, correct? Sorry to hear that. Mine is May 17. I am sticking with it unless things really get worse.

 

[Foxi]

This!

Pick a quality outfitter and they will keep you out of any problem areas. I'd still go to Zim right now.

All about risk tolerance. If yours is very low then Zim might not be the place to go, but you'd miss it. It is a beautiful place and the people are wonderful.

100% agreement and the Dagga boy hunt is fantastic.
Here, one of their best examples( the bull,not me .
When my work is less in my office ,the story is coming.
Foxi