Zimbabwe Still Open

By Tracey Roizman

Zimbabwe is in the midst of a painful crisis. In a 2002 presidential election a viable second party will challenge the existing regime. Meanwhile, thousands of Zimbabweans and expatriates are fleeing for safer havens. Donor countries have shut off financial support, inflation runs wild, and entire industries are in peril (even Zimbabwe’s one celebrated stand-up comedian has joined the outgoing tide).

Independence from the British brought a change of governance in Zimbabwe, but little happened in the way of social and economic reform. The plan was that wealthy white landowners would relinquish the land and equitable redistribution would take place through a policy of “willing buyer-willing seller.” Without government follow-through, this never occurred, and the country has languished in a state of defacto colonialism.

Tourism has dropped nearly 85 percent from last year thanks to media reports of violence on farms and civil demonstrations in the cities. The doors to the country remain open, however, and Zimbabwe officially encourages tourism.

Adventurous travelers have an opportunity to support the people, bring in a bit of much-needed foreign currency, and bolster morale, while practically having the place to themselves. In game parks, a foreign visitor is as rare a sighting as some of the more elusive wild animals.

For More Info

U.S. State Department travel advisory web site (www.travel.state.gov).

BBC’s Online Zimbabwe page (news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1064589.stm).

Amnesty International’s Online Zimbabwe page (www.amnesty.ca/zimbabwe/news/).

Zimbabwe Tourist Authority (www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw).

Ecotourism in Zimbabwe web site ( zimbabwe.safari.co.za/travelling-in-zimbabwe.html).

AllAfrica.com Zimbabwe news source (allafrica.com/zimbabwe/).

Classic Africa, safaris@telconet.co.zw, baobab@telcovic.co.zw, (www.baobabsafari.com/newpages/tour_zimbabwe.html).

TRACEY ROIZMAN writes from Water Mill, NY.